So, you accidentally scratched your car. One of the things you should not do after a car accident is to panic. So, just relax. In some cases, a scratch may seem big, but it is actually just debris from bad weather or an impact. If your car smashes with any type of object softer than your vehicle’s coating, the area might have a raised line which looks like a scratch. On the other hand, the scratch may be truly deep—the one that squeezes your gut whenever you see it.

However, there are methods to repair these scratches. In some cases, it is not too challenging to do. So, when you see scratches on a vehicle you like from a used car auction online, do not give up on that yet. All you need is the right tools, time and effort to get the vehicle’s body looking like new again.

Remove Scuffs and Scratches by Using Toothpaste

Smear the affected area with toothpaste, then grab a soft, damp cloth to erase the scuff marks and scratches. Doing this will not even take too much work. However, do note that this works only when the scuff marks and scratches have not completely penetrated the clear coat of your car’s paint. Try holding the scratch with your fingernail. If it is so deep that you can hold it with your nail, then you may not be able to buff it out with toothpaste.

The toothpaste will sand down the uneven surface on the glossy sheen of your car. It will also fill in the gap and ensure that the area is clean. Of course, you do not want to buff particles of debris and dirt into your paint. So, if there is a foreign element above the coating, the toothpaste will function as an abrasive that will help remove that too.

Repairing Deep Scratches on your Car

As we all know, not all vehicles coming from a used car auction online are pristine and shiny. Some of them have deep scratches. However, as we’ve mentioned, these scratches should not stop you from buying the car that you want. After all, some deep scratches are still repairable. Here are the steps for repairing deep scratches on your vehicle:

1. Purchase the same color of paint. You can look for the code on the little plate placed on the firewall of your vehicle.
2. Make sure you wash and dry your automobile thoroughly. While cleaning, focus more on the affected areas.
3. Sand the damaged area by using a 2000-grit wet or dry sandpaper. Sufficiently sand until you reach the clear coat and do not go further. Remember to sand in one direction only, and rinse the area periodically.
4. Cover the areas around the area with a masking tape. Doing this will ensure that the primer will only get onto the affected area and nowhere else.
5. Spread a thin layer of primer on the affected area. Let it dry completely before proceeding to the painting process.
6. Use a touch-up bottle to mix the paint color.
7. Apply the paint and make sure that you cover the scratched area entirely. You can start from the edges and work your way inwards. If the affected area is extremely small, apply the paint using a toothpick or matchstick. Avoid applying too much paint. If you notice that it is thicker than the areas surrounding it, lightly place a small leaf of tissue on its surface. This will absorb the excess.
8. Let the paint dry completely. This might take several days.
9. Wax and polish the entire vehicle, ensuring that the fresh paint will be blended thoroughly. Doing this will also give the car a nice shine.