How to Buff Out a Scratch on a Car Door
Surface level car door scratches can be repaired at home without the need for body shop repairs, which can be expensive. Minor scratches can be completely repaired with a few car maintenance staples, such as cloth and automotive scratch remover.
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Instructions
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Prepare a mixture of car cleaner in a bowl with warm water and liquid washing detergent or car shampoo. Mix the cleaning solution until suds appear.
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2
Wipe the entire car door with a clean microfiber cloth that has been dipped into the bowl of warm, soapy water to clean off any excess dirt, dust or debris. Pay close attention to the scratch and the area surrounding it. Wipe the damp cloth along the car door in the direction of the scratch to collect the majority of the debris inside the scratch and the surrounding area.
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3
Pour a small amount of scratch remover onto a polishing cloth, and start to buff the scratch. Use a pushing motion to get as much of the liquid into the scratch as possible. Allow the scratch remover to dry for a few minutes.
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4
Repeat the process with a second application of scratch remover, this time working along the width of the scratch and again trying to push as much of the liquid into the scratch as possible until it is filled with scratch remover. Allow to dry.
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Wipe the car door with a clean microfiber cloth to remove any excess scratch remover from the surface of the door.
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Run your fingers across the scratch to feel if it has been completely filled. If you can still detect the scratch, repeat the filling process with the scratch remover and polishing cloth.
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7
Polish your car door with car polish and a clean polishing cloth. Buff until the door shines.
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Tips & Warnings
Working the microfiber cloth along the length of the scratch will cause the least damage to any chipped or scraped edges of bodywork along the surface of the scratch.
Chamois leather is an appropriate polishing cloth for this job.
An electric buffer can be used to speed up the final polishing process.
Use the correct color of car scratch remover recommended by the car manufacturer. Each car manufacturer will have its own range of colors suited to its vehicles. If you cannot find the correct manufacturer color match for your car, use a clear scratch remover.
References
- Photo Credit silver car door and intake image by Christopher Dodge from Fotolia.com
