If you live in Arizona, sooner or later, you are going to end up in a dust storm. If your car is exposed to a storm, knowing how to remove scratches will come in handy. Scratches not only ruin the shiny finish, they can devalue your vehicle’s worth. Fortunately, most scratches are relatively easy to remove with the following tips.
Before You Get Started
Before attempting to buff out scratches, check to see if they’re surface-level or deep scratches. Surface scratches are easier to clean, while deeper ones will call for professional scratch removal products or paint services.
Wash and Dry
Wash and dry the area with scratches before proceeding. Scrubbing dirt and debris into the scratched area will only make them worse.
Use Microfiber Towels
When it comes to cleaning your car and protecting its surfaces, you don’t want to use old towels. To get the best results and remove scratches without damaging the surface, microfiber towels are the BEST. The tiny fibers in microfiber pick up more dirt and debris than other cloths. Microfiber cloths also last a lot longer if you only wash them with other microfiber cloths and hang them dry.
Remove Scratches with Toothpaste
Yes, that’s right – toothpaste! Get your microfiber towel slightly wet (not dripping) and apply about a quarter-sized amount of toothpaste (whitening works best) to it (more or less based on the size of the scratch). Rub the toothpaste you applied to the cloth into the scratches using a circular motion that buffs them out. After buffing away the scratches, rinse thoroughly to remove any excess toothpaste.
Try Retail Scratch Removal Products
There are a lot of products on the market that cater to DIYers who are interested in fixing cosmetic issues on their vehicles themselves. These kits typically contain everything you need to remove scratches. There are light scratches that most DIYers could repair themselves, and there are also deep scratches that only the pros can handle effectively without causing further damage.
Add Protection
Once the scratches have been removed, it’s highly recommended to add high-quality protection afterward. Every time you remove a scratch, a little clear coat is also removed, so it’s extremely important to add protection. Apply a high-quality carnauba wax to your vehicle’s surface, then buff the area with a microfiber cloth or buffer pad.
The Best Protection
If you are lucky enough to get a warning of an approaching dust storm, you can avoid scratches and other paint damage by parking in a garage or covered parking area.
The process will vary depending on the scratch if you need to remove scratches after a dust storm. The good news is that with knowledge and the right tools, most scratches can be removed fairly easily. Remember that paint and the finish are delicate surfaces, so treat them as such.
