Auto Scratch Remover Limitations

If you have a small scratch on your vehicle, you may be tempted to use an auto scratch remover. These products purportedly eliminate scratches quickly and easily within a matter of minutes. While auto scratch removers can be helpful in eliminating some forms of paint damage, they certainly have their limitations. Before running out and spending money on a quick fix, keep these things in mind:

They Work on Light Scratches Only

Unfortunately, an auto scratch remover is only effective at removing the lightest of scratches. If you can feel the scratch when you run your fingernail over the area, then it is likely that a scratch removal product won't deliver adequate results. As such, these products are really best used on scratches that have only worn away the top layer of clear-coat paint. If your paint damage is less of a scratch and more of a hazy or swirled effect, then the scratch remover may still be an option for you.

They Could Make Things Worse

Whatever the size of the scratch, additional damage to the paint is always a possibility. Most scratch removers are thick liquid substances that are used to polish a scratch away by rubbing the offending area for one to two minutes. The process at work with these products is something called plastic deformation, which essentially means that the paint surrounding the scratch is deformed so that it distorts and covered the nearby scratch. Given this process, it's not hard to see how excessive rubbing could overly distort the area. As a result, haziness or swirling may actually be made worse by using these products.

Additionally, some scratch removers recommend the use of sandpaper to loosen paint particles for improved scratch repair. However, the use of sandpaper can further expose underlying paint, resulting in a larger scratch than what you began with.

Professional Scratch Repair

Because of the issues listed above, an auto scratch remover is often more trouble than it is worth. In general, it is recommended that trained auto body technicians treat auto scratches. While a professional scratch repair may cost more than a home remedy, the results are likely to be exponentially better. If you do decide to try a scratch remover, test the product on an inconspicuous spot of your vehicle prior to applying it to the actual scratch.