Latest News
Best Snow Tires for SUVsBest Scratch Removers for Cars
Check out our expert picks for the best scratch removers for cars so you can take care of them quickly and effectively.
Best Scratch Removers for Cars
You’re probably reading this because you’ve discovered an unsightly scratch and scuffs on your car. It could be a deep, glaring scratch that can be seen from a distance or it could be a scratch that is so light only you know where it is located. Either way, scratches can drive a car owner crazy!
There are tons of scratch removers on the market today. You can walk into your favorite automotive store and be faced with a big decision: Which one works? You hate to waste money on something that doesn’t do what it is supposed to do, right?
You can relax now that we’ve done the research and found the best scratch removers for cars. These are the ones that impressed us the most when we gave them a test, and they will get your ride back to a smooth-as-glass finish in no time – as long as your car doesn’t look like it has been on fire or just pulled from the junkyard.
What is a Scratch Remover?
Before we tackle those scratches, let’s define what we mean by “scratch remover”. Scratch removers are chemical formulations that are designed to be wiped or buffed on the surface of your car’s paint. They usually contain some type of abrasive embedded in the liquid that microscopically removes lights scratches and polishes your finish all at the same time.
Sometimes, these scratch removers will be a two-step process where one bottle contains a coarser grit abrasive and the other contains a finer grit abrasive. The formulations may also contain wax or other finish protectants to keep the area protected from future scratches (to a certain extent). Deeper scratches and paint chips will not be reparable with scratch removers and may require extra steps such as applying touch-up paint.
Now that we know what a scratch remover is, let’s take a look at our list!
Best Value– Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra Cut Compound
If you’re looking to save money without sacrificing performance, then Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra Cut Compound is the scratch remover for you. It costs roughly half of what other scratch removers cost, but it is so easy to work with that it can be applied by hand. It was very effective at removing scratches on our test vehicle, and it was easy to wipe off.
It comes in an 8-ounce bottle too, so you’ll have plenty on hand whenever you need it.
Best for Moderate and Deep Scratches – Chemical Guys VSS Scratch and Swirl Remover
There aren’t many scratch removers on the market that tell you that they work on deep scratches. Chemical Guys VSS Scratch and Swirl Remover is one of the few, and it performs excellently! It was able to clear up scratches on our test vehicle that were a result of a faulty automatic car wash.
It is fairly easy to use and is effective for deep scratches. Very deep scratches, of course, were not removed. Its biggest downside was the overwhelming chemical smell that it put off, so be sure to use this product in a well-ventilated area. It is a proven performer and one of our favorites for heavy scratches.
Best Kit – Meguiar’s Scratch Eraser Kit
The Meguiar’s Scratch Eraser Kit is the best-performing kit that we have tested for getting rid of scratches quickly and effectively. It comes with a bottle of scratch remover, a microfiber cloth, and a buffing pad that attaches to a regular power drill.
The kit was fairly straightforward to use and was effective at removing light to moderate scratches. Our hands and arms never got tired of buffing thanks to the drill-mounted buffing pad. We were very pleased with the performance of this kit and highly recommend it.
The only downside is that it requires you to use a drill. If you don’t have a drill, then you cannot use this product.
Best for Black Paint – Carfidant Black Car Scratch Remover
Ask anyone with a black car: they show every scratch! This is also true for other darker-colored cars. Carfidant Black Car Scratch Remover is specially formulated for black or darker-colored cars.
The “kit” features a bottle of scratch remover and a buffing pad. It is a one-step, straightforward process that will have your dark-colored paint looking brilliant again in no time.
While it worked well on light scratches, it did nothing for moderate or heavy scratches that you could feel with your fingernail. It is certainly worth keeping in your detailing kit if you have a black or darker-colored finish, however.
Best Overall – Turtle Wax Premium Scratch Repair Kit
You’re probably already familiar with Turtle Wax since it has been one of the standards for car wax for many years. They are still making industry-leading products, and their Turtle Wax Premium Scratch Repair Kit is the most effective system that we’ve seen. This isn’t a one-step system, however; it is a multi-step process that requires a little elbow grease and even a bit of sanding!
It comes with a bottle of spray lubricant, a bottle of paint clarifying compound, sanding pads, and a pen that is used for deep scratches. You will follow the instructions for what is essentially a wet-sanding process that works wonders on light, moderate, and even deep scratches. It takes more work than other products, but the results are incredible! We recommend this product to anyone who owns a car!
Tips
- Read through all of the directions before starting and follow ALL of the directions that come with the products! If you don’t, then you may end up making the scratch look worse.
- Be sure to remove all of the product from the surface of the paint. If you don’t, you may in up with swirls, stains, or unsightly white spots on your paint.
- Wash your car and apply wax regularly to help prevent future scratches.
Final Thoughts
Scratches may be the bane of many car owners’ existence, but they don’t have to keep you up at night. You also do not need to take your car to the body shop every time a new scratch pops up. The products that are out there today are becoming more and more effective as paint technology and chemical technology become more advanced.
We were surprised at just how effective many products were – even some that didn’t make our list. The main things to consider when you are choosing a scratch remover are how much time you want to spend, how much money you want to spend, and how comfortable you feel about the application process. If you aren’t comfortable using sanding pads, for example, then you might be better off with a scratch remover that doesn’t use them.
You’ll end up with a shiny, brilliant finish using any of the products on our list. Give them a try the next time you find a dreaded scratch on your precious ride.
