How to get rid of white scratches on car

Seeing a white scratch on your car is no fun. It stands out, especially on darker colored cars. But the good news is that many white scratches are not as bad as they look. Often, they are just in the top clear coat of your car’s paint.

This guide will help you learn how to check the scratch, what to do to fix it, and how to keep your car looking great. We will use simple words and easy steps. Let’s make that scratch disappear!

Table of Contents

What Kind of Scratch Do You Have? Understanding Car Paint

Before you can fix a scratch, it helps to know a little about your car’s paint. Think of it like layers on a cake.

Most cars have a few layers of paint:

Clear Coat: This is the top, shiny, see-through layer. It protects the color paint underneath. Many white scratches are just in this layer.
Base Coat (Color Coat): This is the actual color of your car.
Primer: This is a layer under the color. It helps the color paint stick to the car’s body. It’s often a dull white, gray, or black.
Metal: This is the car’s body panel itself.

How to Tell What Scratch You Have

It’s important to know how deep the scratch is. This tells you the best way to fix it.

Light Scratches (Clear Coat Scratches)

These are usually the easiest to fix!

What they look like: The scratch is only in the top shiny layer of paint (the clear coat). It often looks white or lighter than your car’s paint.
The Fingernail Test: Gently run your fingernail across the scratch. If your fingernail does not catch on the scratch, it’s probably a light scratch in the clear coat.

Medium Scratches (Base Coat Scratches)

These scratches have gone a bit deeper.

What they look like: The scratch has gone through the clear coat and reached the color layer (base coat). You might see the actual color of your car in the scratch, or it might still look white if the clear coat is badly damaged.
The Fingernail Test: Your fingernail might catch a little bit in the scratch.

Deep Scratches (Primer Coat Scratches or Deeper)

These are the most serious kinds of scratches.

What they look like: The scratch is deep enough to show the primer layer, which is often a white, gray, or even a different color. If it’s very deep, you might even see the bare metal of the car.
The Fingernail Test: Your fingernail will definitely catch in the scratch.

Getting Ready to Fix That Scratch!

No matter how big or small the scratch, you need to prepare first. This makes sure the fix works well and you don’t make things worse.

What You Might Need (Tools for the Job)

Having the right tools makes the job much easier. Here’s a list of things you might need, depending on the scratch:

Clean microfiber cloths: You’ll need a few of these. They are soft and won’t scratch your paint more.
Car wash soap and water: To clean the scratch.
Rubbing alcohol (optional): To make sure the area is super clean.
Toothpaste: Plain white toothpaste (not the gel kind with fancy stripes or whitening bits). This can work for very tiny scratches.
Scratch remover or polishing compound: These are special creams made to remove light scratches.
Touch-up paint: This paint matches your car’s color. You can usually find your car’s paint code on a sticker in the doorjamb or in your owner’s manual.
Fine-grit sandpaper: For deeper scratches, you might need very fine sandpaper (like 2000-grit, 3000-grit, or even 5000-grit).
Rubbing compound: A bit rougher than polishing compound. It’s for smoothing out deeper scratches or touch-up paint.
Car wax or polish: To protect the fixed area and make it shine.
Gloves (optional): To keep your hands clean.
Masking tape (optional): To protect the paint around the scratch when you work.

Always Prepare the Area First!

This is a super important step for any scratch.

Step 1: Clean the Area. Wash the scratch and the area around it really well. Use car wash soap and water. Dirt and grime can cause more scratches if you rub them in.
Step 2: Rinse and Dry. Rinse all the soap off. Dry the area completely with a clean microfiber cloth.

Test First! A Very Important Tip

Before you try any product or method on the scratch, test it on a hidden spot on your car. This could be inside the door or a low part of the car that people don’t see. This test makes sure the product doesn’t damage your paint or make it look weird.

Fixing Light White Scratches (Clear Coat Scratches)

Good news! These are often the white scratches you see, and they are usually the easiest to fix. Since they are only in the top clear layer, you can often polish them out.

Method 1: Using Toothpaste (For Very Minor Scratches)

This might sound strange, but toothpaste can work on tiny scratches because it’s a little bit gritty (abrasive).

Step 1: Get Ready. Make sure the scratch is clean and dry. Put a small bit of plain white toothpaste (not gel) on a damp, clean microfiber cloth.
Step 2: Rub Gently. Rub the toothpaste into the scratch. Use a gentle, circular motion or back-and-forth motion for a minute or two.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry. Rinse the area well with water to remove all the toothpaste. Dry it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 4: Check Your Work. Look at the scratch. Is it gone or much better? If it’s better but still there, you can try again. If toothpaste doesn’t work, you might need something a bit stronger.

Method 2: Using a Scratch Remover or Polishing Compound

These products are made just for fixing light scratches.

Step 1: Clean and Dry. As always, make sure the area is perfectly clean and dry.
Step 2: Apply the Product. Put a small amount of the scratch remover or polishing compound onto a clean microfiber cloth or an applicator pad.
Step 3: Rub it In. Rub the product into the scratch. Use gentle pressure. Follow the directions on the product bottle. Some might say to rub in circles, others back and forth.
Step 4: Wipe Off Extra. Use a clean part of your microfiber cloth to wipe away any leftover product.
Step 5: Protect It. After the scratch is gone or much better, it’s a good idea to apply some car wax or polish to the area. This will help protect the paint. (We’ll talk more about this in “Final Steps”).

Tackling Medium White Scratches (Base Coat Scratches)

If your fingernail catches a bit in the scratch, or if you can see that the scratch has gone into the color layer of your paint, it’s a medium scratch. These need a bit more work.

Steps to Fix Base Coat Scratches

Step 1: Clean the Area. You know the drill! Clean the scratch and the area around it very well with car soap and water. Let it dry completely.
Step 2: Apply Touch-Up Paint.
- Get the Right Color: You need touch-up paint that exactly matches your car’s color. Look for your car’s paint code. It’s usually on a sticker in the driver’s side doorjamb, in the glove box, or in the trunk. You can buy touch-up paint from a car parts store or your car dealer. It often comes in a small bottle with a brush, like nail polish, or as a paint pen.
- Apply Carefully: Shake the paint well. Apply a very thin coat of paint directly into the scratch. Try to stay only in the scratch. It’s better to apply a few thin coats than one thick coat. Let each coat dry completely before adding another. This might take a few hours for each coat.
Step 3: Sand the Area (Optional, and Be Very Careful!).
- Sometimes, the touch-up paint can look a little raised or bumpy when it dries. If it does, you might need to gently sand it smooth.
- Only if needed: If the paint is smooth, skip this!
- Use very fine sandpaper: You’ll need super fine sandpaper, like 3000-grit or 5000-grit.
- Wet Sanding: Dip the sandpaper in water. This is called wet sanding. It helps stop the sandpaper from clogging up and gives a smoother finish. Sand VERY GENTLY. You only want to smooth the touch-up paint, not the good paint around it.
Step 4: Apply Rubbing Compound.
- After the touch-up paint is dry and smooth (and after sanding, if you did that), you can use a rubbing compound. This helps to blend the new paint with the old paint and smooth things out even more.
- Apply a small amount with a clean cloth and rub gently.
Step 5: Apply Car Polish.
- After the rubbing compound, use a car polish. This will bring back the shine to the area and make it look great.

Dealing with Deep White Scratches (Primer Coat Scratches)

These are the tough ones. If you can see the white or gray primer under your car’s color, or even worse, the bare metal, it’s a deep scratch. These need careful work to prevent rust and make them look better. For very deep scratches, especially down to the metal, professional help might be the best choice. But if you want to try, here’s how:

Steps to Fix Primer Coat Scratches

Step 1: Clean the Area. Clean the scratch and the area around it thoroughly with car soap and water. Make sure it’s completely dry. You might want to wipe the inside of the scratch with a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to make sure it’s super clean.
Step 2: Sand the Area (Often Necessary).
- For deep scratches, you usually need to sand a little. This helps to smooth out any rough edges of the scratch and helps the new paint stick better.
- Use fine-grit sandpaper (maybe 2000-grit). You can wet sand here too. Be gentle and try to sand just the scratched area.
- Clean away all the sanding dust with a damp cloth, then dry the area.
Step 3: Apply Primer (If Needed).
- If the scratch is deep and wide, especially if you see metal, applying a thin coat of automotive touch-up primer is a good idea. This helps the color paint stick well and protects the metal from rust.
- Apply a thin coat of primer just inside the scratch. Let it dry completely according to the directions on the primer bottle.
Step 4: Apply Touch-Up Paint.
- Once the primer is dry, apply your car’s matching touch-up paint.
- Apply several thin coats. Let each coat dry completely (this can take hours) before you add the next one. Build up the paint until it’s level with the paint around it.
Step 5: Apply Clear Coat (Important!).
- After the color paint is fully dry (wait at least 24 hours to be sure), you need to apply a clear coat. Many touch-up paint kits come with a small bottle of clear coat.
- The clear coat protects the color paint and gives it shine, just like the original paint on your car. Apply one or two thin coats. Let it dry completely.
Step 6: Sand the Area (Very Gently, If Needed).
- If the clear coat or paint looks a bit uneven or has tiny bumps after it dries, you can very carefully wet sand it with super fine sandpaper (3000-grit or higher). Be extremely gentle. You just want to make it smooth.
Step 7: Apply Rubbing Compound.
- After everything is dry and smooth, use a rubbing compound to help blend the edges of the repair with the rest of your car’s paint.
Step 8: Apply Car Polish.
- Finally, use a good car polish on the area. This will make it shiny and help it match the rest of your car.

Finishing Touches and Important Things to Remember

You’ve done the hard work! Now for the final touches.

Wax or Polish: The Final Shine!

After you’ve fixed any scratch and the paint is fully dry (wait a day or two to be safe), it’s a really good idea to apply a coat of car wax or a good polish to the repaired area. You can even do the whole car!

Why? Wax and polish help protect the new paint and the old paint. They also make your car look super shiny and great.
Think of it as a protective shield for your paint job.

When Should You Call a Professional?

Sometimes, a scratch is just too big or too deep to fix well at home. It’s okay to call a professional auto body shop if:

The scratch is very, very deep, especially if it’s down to the bare metal and is wide.
You’re not comfortable doing the repair yourself. It’s better to have a pro do it than to make it worse.
The scratch is very large or long.
You have a special type of paint (like a matte finish or a three-stage pearl paint). A professional has all the right tools and skills to make the scratch disappear so it looks like new.

More Important Tips for Success

Patience is Key: Don’t rush any step! Take your time, especially when letting paint dry. Good results need patience.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Don’t use things like gasoline, paint thinner (unless it’s specifically for car paint touch-ups and you know how to use it), or harsh household cleaners on your car’s paint. Stick to products made for cars.
Protect Your Paint: Taking good care of your car’s paint all the time will help prevent future scratches. (We have more tips on this next!)
Work in the Shade: If possible, try to work on scratches when your car is in the shade and the paint is cool. Hot sun can make paint and products dry too fast.

How to Stop Scratches from Happening (Prevention Tips)

The best way to deal with scratches is to try to stop them from happening in the first place! Here are some easy tips:

1. Keep Your Car Clean

Wash your car regularly. Dirt, dust, and grime can act like sandpaper if they get rubbed against your paint.
- You might want to check out a guide on “how to wash your car properly” to learn the best techniques.
Use a microfiber cloth to wash and dry your car. These cloths are very soft and are much less likely to scratch your paint than old towels or sponges with trapped dirt.

2. Wax Your Car

Always have a fresh coat of wax on your car. Try to wax your car every few months. Wax adds an extra layer of protection between your paint and the world. It’s like sunscreen for your car!
- Learning “how to wax your car” can save you money and keep your car looking great.

3. Park Smart

To protect your car from the elements, park in a garage or under a carport if you can. This helps protect it from sun, rain, bird droppings, and tree sap, all of which can damage paint over time.
Avoid parking your car near trees or bushes that could scratch the paint. Branches, falling twigs, or even stiff leaves can cause scratches.
Be careful in parking lots. Try to park away from other cars if possible to avoid door dings and scratches from other people.

4. Be Careful with Car Washes

Avoid using automatic car washes with spinning brushes, if possible. Some of these brushes can be harsh and may have dirt trapped in them from other cars, which can cause tiny scratches all over your paint.
Hand washing your car carefully is usually best. If you use an automatic car wash, a “touchless” one (that only uses high-pressure water and soap) is often a safer choice for your paint.

5. Use a Car Cover

Use a car cover to protect your car from scratches and other damage when it is parked outside for a long time. A good car cover can keep off dust, dirt, bird droppings, and even protect from light bumps. Make sure the car is clean before you put the cover on, or dirt trapped under the cover could scratch the paint.

Final Thoughts: A Nicer-Looking Car is Possible!

Those white scratches on your car can be a real eyesore, but as you’ve seen, many of them can be fixed with a bit of effort and the right stuff. The most important things are to first figure out how deep the scratch is, clean the area well, and use the right method for that type of scratch.

Remember to be patient and take your time. For very light scratches, a little toothpaste or polishing compound might be all you need. For deeper ones, touch-up paint and a bit more work can often do the trick.

And don’t forget, keeping your car clean and waxed is the best way to help stop new scratches from showing up. If a scratch seems too tough for you to handle, don’t be afraid to ask a professional car paint shop for help.

Now you have the knowledge to tackle those white scratches and get your car looking its best again. Good luck, and enjoy your cleaner, shinier ride!

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How to Get Rid of White Scratches on Your Car: A Simple Helper