How Do Body Shops Fix Scratches?
Those minor scratches that always seem to happen in your car might be a minor inconvenience for you, but automotive body shops are experts in fixing these types of issues. They use the paint touch up or airbrushing the car after removing the scratches.
Body shops fix scratches by employing several different methods.
How Do Body Shops Fix Scratches? The first thing they will do is remove the scratch with buffing, sanding, or grinding. Next, body shop professionals use manual and automated sanding tools to remove these imperfections and create a smooth surface for their painting process.
If there are still scratches present at this point, they might remove them by using an ultrasonic process. At the same time, some professional body shop artists employ polishing oils and tints to the paint surface to remove scratches and restore their original state.
Table of Contents
- Removing A Scratch With Toothpaste
- How Do You Remove Surface Scratches From A Car?
- Remove Scratches on Car By Using Sandpaper
- How Do Body Shops Repair Deep Scratches?
- FAQs
Removing A Scratch With Toothpaste
There are many different reasons why someone may have scratches on their car. However, regardless of how these scratches appear, toothpaste is one strategy for alleviating them.
Toothpaste contains all-natural ingredients, and, therefore, you can rest easy knowing that there will be no negative effects on your vehicle after using this method.
Step 1 – Clean the Surface Around the Scratch
However, before cleaning an actual scratch on your car with toothpaste, you want to make sure that you are using a brush or damp rag to eliminate debris or dirt that comes within three inches of the scratch.
This will allow the toothpaste to work more effectively, and it will leave you with a clean surface to work off of.
Step 2 – Apply Toothpaste Over the Scratch
After cleaning around the scratch, carefully apply a small dab of toothpaste on top of it using your finger.
Ensure that you do not apply too much because any excess toothpaste will get rubbed in by your hand while working, and it could damage the paint around the scratch.
After applying, wait approximately three minutes or until the toothpaste dries. This will allow the toothpaste to become a glossy finish.
Step 3 – Repeat for Final Scratch on Car
After allowing the first dab of toothpaste to dry, repeat the process for all further scratches on your car’s exterior. This will allow you to restore your vehicle to its original appearance and protect against further damage from occurring in this area again.

How Do You Remove Surface Scratches From A Car?
Getting a car scratch can be a big inconvenience. It not only takes the sheen away from your vehicle but also ruins how it looks and diminishes its value.
Fortunately, though, there are ways you can have those scratches removed. All you need to do is visit your nearest car service center or body shop to have them fix those nasty scratches for you as soon as possible.
But if you do not want to go through the hassle of going to a car service center, you can always try taking matters into your own hands by yourself.
EngineDiary
Remove Scratches on Car By Using Sandpaper
Here are the steps:
- 1. keep in mind that this nature of scratch will be more prominent because it will be located on the car’s surface. So it would be best if you were extra careful when handling it.
- 2. Sandpaper comes in different grits. Go through your car’s parts and find the perfect one for the scratch mark you want to repair.
- 3. Use a coarse grit to remove the scratch while cleaning it with a cloth or sponge at the same time.
- 4. Finally, deep-clean the scratched area of your car with a pressure washer and wax to protect it from excessive light reflection, rain, and dust particles.
- 5. The following steps are for those more experienced in this work. You can also do it at your car shop should your know-how.
- 6. Use fine-grit sandpaper to polish the area and remove any uneven areas.
- 7. Apply to touch up paint to cover the scratch and leave it overnight to dry up.
- 8. You can now polish the mark with a wax or polish agent and then wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth.
How Do Body Shops Repair Deep Scratches?
Deep scratches are among the most difficult auto-body work to do at home or in a regular garage because of their depth. They often reach into the metal layer of the vehicle and may require replacement panels or welding on occasion to correct them.
However, body shops have straightness machines that flatten these dents by clamping down until they pop back into proper shape.
- The body shop will spray the scratch with a primer and then use an abrasive pad to remove the scratch while also smoothing out imperfections.
- Once the surface finish has been smoothed out and perfect, a body-shop technician will apply a color or clear coat to repair the car’s surface. This technique can be time-consuming, and if not done correctly, it could end up damaging your car’s paintwork.
- Body shops use a combination of techniques to remove scratches from cars. The first and most effective is hot wax, heated in a canister and then applied with a buffer.
- Once applied, the wax penetrates the surface and fills in the scratches, making them less noticeable. A body shop technician can then polish over the wax to restore shine to the car’s paintwork.
- Body shops work with paint finishes every day and match any color or finish to your liking. However, to do so, they must remove all paintwork entirely before starting again with a fresh coat of paint.
During this process, the body shop technician will apply a primer and sand everything to remove any imperfections in the car.
FAQs
Can Deep Car Scratches Be Repaired?
deep car scratches can be repaired. However, if you are suffering from this issue, you should immediately take your car to the auto body shop to fix it.
Can A Detail Shop Remove Scratches?
No, detail shops cannot remove the scratches on your car. They are meant for the exterior and interior detailing, claying, etc.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair Key Scratch On Car?
It would take anything about $200 to $300 to fix the key scratch on the car.