Whether you own a new or used car, it can be a real bummer when you discover a new dent or scratch. A scratch or scuff mark can not only ruin the appearance of your vehicle but also lead to rust or other severe damage to the paint. In this situation, it’s ideal to use car wax to remove scratches.
But accidents happen, and we all make mistakes. Sometimes those scratches are our fault by grazing the door with our watch, missing the keyhole every now and then, poor parking, or those scratches can be caused by a variety of things like vandalism, minor car accidents, or road debris.
Discovering a new scratch on your car’s surface is the worst feeling ever, especially if you have a brand new car. But, you can solve this problem by using car wax to remove scratches and save a few bucks in the process by avoiding those expensive repairs at a body shop.
It doesn’t matter if it’s one scratch or many, for a first-time car owner, fixing those scratches may seem like an impossible job to do. But don’t despair, there are a few tips and tricks you can do to restore the shiny appearance of your car.
Car Wax to Remove Scratches
Waxing your car is more than just giving it a shiny look. When done correctly, you can extend the life of the paint job, protect it from environmental damage, and also remove some light scratches. Implementing a car wax to remove scratches regularly is crucial because it can help with scratches, color fading, and external corrosion.
There are different types of car wax to remove scratches, and you need to know the difference. The two main types are natural and synthetic.
Like the names suggest, the natural car wax is made from natural ingredients, most commonly from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. The natural wax is recommended for vehicles with darker colors, and it’s very popular among owners of vintage classics because of the high level of protection it provides and the stunning shine it offers. On the negative side, the natural car wax tends to wear-off rather quickly, which means you’ll need to re-apply it more often.
The synthetic car wax is artificial and it’s specifically made to bond with the paint, giving it a shiny look and protection that can last for up to a year, depending on whether you keep your car in a garage or at the mercy of mother nature. Because of its durability, the synthetic car wax is often the preferred choice, but if you are looking to keep your car as shiny and glossy as possible, the natural car wax is the way to go. If you would like to see the best car waxes we recommend for your car, read here.
What You Need to Do
Assess the Damage: The first step is the most important. To determine how severe the scratches are, take a closer look. You can do a simple test by guiding your nail across the scratch. If the marks feel smooth to the touch and your nail doesn’t catch between the scratches, it means the scratches are not too deep and you can resolve this problem with regular car wax to remove scratches.
Clean and Dry the Area: Before you start, you need to make sure there are no residuals of dust, sand, or oil on the area you are going to work on, or you risk damaging the area further. Make sure the scratching spots are cleaned and dried thoroughly.
Wax on – Wax off: Apply the car wax to remove scratches, and with a microfiber cloth wipe on the scratched surface gently and in small clockwise circles. Apply this technique until you can no longer see the scratches.
Inspect: If the scratches are gone, wipe the area with a clean microfiber cloth, but if you still see the scratches, repeat this process all over again, until desired results are achieved. If the scratches are still there, they might be too deep, and you need to look for an alternative method.
Alternative Methods to Remove Scratches
Scratch and Swirl Removal Products: Such types of products usually contain several specialized polishing agents intended to eliminate imperfections in the surface and could include wax or clear polymers to fill in deeper scratches. You can use these products to repair a single scratch or you can apply them for overall restoration. They are easy to use and don’t require special expertise or deep knowledge.
A Paint Pen: This is a quick and easy way to fix scratches, especially in smaller areas. But it’s important to make sure that the paint pen is the exact color code as the paint on your car. The good news is, you can find the perfect match pretty easily because most car manufacturers make them. Upon applying the paint pen, let the primer dry for at least 20 minutes, and then apply a layer of clear coat.
With many different kinds of scratches, there are different ways you can resolve the problem. For the shallow scratches you can use car wax to remove scratches. But for more severe scratches, finding a professional auto repair shop is your best option.
Conclusion
When it comes to paint correction, everyone takes care of their cars differently, and that depends largely on what kind of investment you want to make. Dealing with your car’s paint and scratches requires a lot of time and patience, and before you even begin, you need to prep the surface so naturally, you’ll be bending a lot, kneeling, and standing up which takes a toll on your body. You need to consider how much time and effort are you willing to invest in your car and whether a trip to the shop would be a more productive choice. The decision to perform the work yourself by using car wax to remove scratches or to pay an auto repair shop is not going to be an easy one.
Our recommendation is to attempt the process of repairing the scratches at least once, just to get the feel for it. It will certainly cost you less than taking your car to the professionals, and you even might learn a new and valuable skill that will come in handy for the rest of your life. Whichever option you choose, the habit of using car wax to remove scratches and detailing your vehicle on a regular basis will pay off in the long run.
If you’re looking for normal wax for your car, see our recommendations for wax for black cars and white car wax.