Cutter Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pearl City

Jun 16, 2022
Person in a respirator mask and safety glasses polishing a dark car with a buffer.

Car scratches come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of severity. While some may be barely noticeable, others can be pretty glaring. Clear coat scratches, in particular, can be quite a nuisance. But since the clear coat is a protective layer, minor scratches are relatively easy to fix.

To make your car shine again and clear off any blemishes, you’ll want to know how to remove clear coat scratches. There are various different ways to go about it, but some methods are better than others.

You’ll want to avoid any scratch removal method that involves sanding or anything abrasive. These methods damage your car’s paint more and make the scratch worse.

1. Use a Quality Car Polish

A good car polish will do wonders for clear coat scratch repair. Apply a slight polish to a clean, soft cloth and work it into the scratched area in a circular motion. Don’t forget to polish the surrounding area for a consistent finish.

2. Use a Clear Coat Pen

Clear coat pens are great for touch-ups and minor scratches. Find a color that matches your car’s paint job and fill in the scratch. Let it dry completely before adding a layer of clear coat over the top.

3. Use Nail Polish

If you don’t have a clear coat pen on hand, nail polish will do in a pinch. Apply the clear polish to the scratch and let it dry completely before adding a top coat of clear nail polish. It would help if you were extra careful with this method, as it’s easy to overdo it and make the scratch worse.

4. Use Clear Coat Spray

That is probably the easiest way to fix such scratches. Spray on a clear coat and let it dry. No buffing or rubbing is required! However, these spray-on coats are not as durable as the real deal.

5. Use Car Wax

Yes, car wax! It may seem counterintuitive, but car wax can help fill in scratches and make them less visible. Take a small amount of car wax, apply it to the scratch, and buff it with a clean cloth. The wax will help fill in the scratch and make it less noticeable.

6. Polish With Rubbing Compound

Rubbing compounds can help remove surface imperfections from cars. You can use them to remove clear coat scratches, too. Apply a small amount of rubbing compound to the scratch and rub it with a clean cloth. It will work as an abrasive to remove the scratch and make the damage less visible.

Cutter CDJR Pearl City, serving Pearl City, HI, is your go-to source for car, truck, or SUV service and repairs. Our trained and certified mechanics are experts in automotive, from oil changes and brake pad replacement to coolant fluid exchange and more.

Our services include a multi-point inspection to ensure your car runs smoothly and safely. We keep an up-to-date list of your car’s maintenance and repair history to avoid any overlap in services.

Regular check-ups at Cutter CDJR Pearl City can keep your car tuned and maintained. Schedule an appointment today!