How to Protect Cars from Scratches

Co-authored by Tom Eisenberg

Last Updated: November 1, 2021

This wikiHow will teach you how you can prevent your car from scratches as best as possible. Dirt is not your friend so keep your car as clean as possible. Scratch prevention need not be hard work, however dirt and grime are abrasive and can lead to nicks and scratches.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Hand Washing Your Car

Rinse the accumulated dust and dirt from the car.
Add the recommended amount of car wash into one of the buckets and then fill it with warm water.

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Squeeze it in the soapy mixture to ensure it is completely wet, then begin cleaning the car from the roof downwards using a circular motion.
This will help to keep the bucket with the car wash and your sponge/mitt free of dirt.
Use the second sponge/mitt for this. You can continue using the two different buckets. If the soapy water is not getting the wheels clean, you may have to use a stronger based cleaner or add more of the car cleaner for the wheels.
They are more likely to have oil or grease deposits on them from contact with the road.
This is the most recommended material for cleaning your vehicle. Stay away from using bathing towels or beach towels when drying your car, they may be too rough for the paint and in turn, leave scratches.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Waxing Your Car

This will stop the wax from drying to fast which can make it difficult to rub off.
Use a circular motion to all of the bodywork.
Buffer in circular motions to remove all of the wax.

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Expert Q&A

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Question

What's the easiest way to fix a scratch on my car?

Tom Eisenberg
Auto Technician
Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.

Tom Eisenberg

Auto Technician

Expert Answer

Nail polish! Get a color that matches your car and paint over it like you're painting a nail. If you have a really unique paint job, take it to a dealership. So, if you have a Buick, take your car to a Buick dealership and they'll match the paint perfectly. But if you just have a regular black car, black nail polish will work to cover the scratch.

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Question

Are scratches bad for your car?

Tom Eisenberg
Auto Technician
Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.

Tom Eisenberg

Auto Technician

Expert Answer

Yes, if the scratch is deep enough it can expose the metal under your paint. When that happens, rust will start eating away at that area. That's actually the main reason to paint a car in the first place; it prevents rust from eating away at your frame.

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Question

Can I spray paint a scratch to cover it up?

Tom Eisenberg
Auto Technician
Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.

Tom Eisenberg

Auto Technician

Expert Answer

Absolutely not! Spray paint isn't good for your car, and it's going to stand out once it dries. It just looks bad. Only use the nail polish trick, or automotive paint. There's no middle ground here, unfortunatley.

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Tips

Hand washing is much safer than automatic car washes. Though if you are in need of a quick wash, touch-less car washes are the best option.

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Specialist car cleaning products tends to be a milder soap and specifically designed for automotive paint and will not strip of the layer of protective wax.

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Other vehicles or a poor road surface can often throw up stones or debris onto the vehicles around them.

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Warnings

Avoid parking close to where pedestrians are walking past your vehicle, this can avoid any unintended scratches.

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Avoid parking too close to other vehicles as someone opening their car door can cause a dent or scratch on your vehicle if parked too close.

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2 Clean microfiber drying towels

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Do not use a dry cloth to remove dust and dirt from the paintwork as this will cause scratches.

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2 buckets

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2 large clean soft natural sponges or a lambs wool mitts

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Do not place objects or sit on the bodywork of the car as this can cause scratches.

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Be aware when filling your car with gas/petrol any spillage onto the paintwork can dull the shine.

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Refrain from parking under or close to trees, branches can fall off and you risk the paintwork being damaged.

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Make sure the vehicle is completely dry before beginning to apply the wax as a wet surface will leave streaks on the vehicle that are hard to remove.

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There are no benefits to applying a thick layer of wax, it only makes it tougher to buffer. Poly foam wax tends to be the best for achieving a thin, even coat.

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Things You'll Need

Water supply

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A cleaning product dedicated to car-wash

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Car wax product

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Car detail spray (optional)

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How to Protect Cars from Scratches

Steps

Hand Washing Your Car

Waxing Your Car

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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