How to Remove Paint Scuffs

Scuffs happen, but you don't have to live with them.

It happens to every car owner at some point--a careless driver taps your baby, kissing the bumper with a nice coat of paint. Now your bumper has white, black or red scuff marks that attract your attention every time you drive. Next time someone scuffs your car, take action. With a little elbow grease and the right tools, you can make those scuffs disappear.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Soap
• 2 buckets
• Rag
• 2 tack cloths
• 2000-grit wet sandpaper
• Polishing compound

Instructions

1. Rinse the affected area with water. Wash it with soapy water and a rag.

2. Dry the area with a tack cloth.

3. Immerse 2000-grit wet sandpaper in a bucket of water to soak it. Remove the sandpaper from the water, then rub it back and forth over the paint scuff. Work horizontally, using long, lean strokes instead of jerky motions. If the sandpaper gets dry or starts to stick, dip it back in the bucket and soak it before continuing. Continue this process until you've removed all traces of the scuff mark.

4. Wipe the area dry with the tack cloth. The affected area will appear dull but mark-free.

5. Squirt a dime-sized amount of polishing compound onto a dampened sponge. Apply the polishing compound over the affected area in long back-and-forth strokes. Continue applying the compound until the area appears shiny again.

6. Wipe the region with a clean tack cloth to remove any excess polishing compound.

References

• Samarins: How to Remove Residue Marks (Paint) Left by Other Objects