If you’re anything like me and your car is your pride and joy, few things are worse than seeing scratches on your car’s body every time you hop in.
Visiting the car wash and even hand washing your car with dirty cleaning pads or car wash mitts can cause swirl marks and scuff marks to appear on its paintwork. In some cases, a good polish and buff will be adequate to do away with these. More serious scratches, however, need direct attention with a compound designed to deal with this kind of damage.
So, when scratches occur, you have to make a decision. Will a car scratch remover be enough to get the job done for you? If so, which products out there are the best for you to choose and use?
In this guide, we answer these questions and introduce you to nine of the best car scratch removers out there.
Quick Links to Our Top Recommendations for Best Car Scratch Removers
- The Ultimate Car Scratch Remover System
- As close as you can get to professional scratch removal with a DIY kit.
- TriNova Scratch Swirl Remover
- A good option for anyone looking for a quick, basic solution to keep on hand for light repair work.
- Meguiar’s G17216 Ultimate Compound
- A nicely priced, clear-coat-safe formula that works fast on most paintwork defects.
- 3M 39071 Scratch Removal System
- A single-use, all-in-one removal system that can eliminate most minor scuffs and scratches.
- Turtle Wax T-241A Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover
- Affordable, easy to use, and delivers quick results.
- NOVUS 2 Plastic Fine Scratch Remover
- The best car scratch remover out there for the plastic parts on your vehicle.
- Chemical Guys COM_129_16 Scratch and Swirl Remover
- An easy, one-step process that works on all types of paintwork. Great value!
- Mothers 08408 California Gold Scratch Remover
- Works well on any type of vehicle paintwork. Ideal you require a rapid response to minor scuffs and scratches.
- Turtle Wax 50759 Color Magic Scratch and Chip Repair Pen
- A good option for quick fixes and deeper scratches.
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
- 1 Best Car Scratch Removers – Product Reviews
- 1.1 The Ultimate Car Scratch Remover System
- 1.2 TriNova Scratch Swirl Remover
- 1.3 Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
- 1.4 3M Scratch and Scuff Removal System
- 1.5 Turtle Wax Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover
- 1.6 NOVUS 2 Plastic Fine Scratch Remover
- 1.7 Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover
- 1.8 Mothers California Gold Scratch Remover
- 1.9 Turtle Wax Scratch and Chip Repair Pen
- 2 Car Scratches: How They Happen and How to Get Rid of Them
- 3 When Should You Use a Car Scratch Remover?
- 4 What Different Types of Car Scratch Removers Can I Choose From?
- 5 Conclusion
Best Car Scratch Removers – Product Reviews
To help you choose the best scratch remover for your task, below is a list that discusses our choices for some of the best and most popular car scratch removers available today.
The Ultimate Car Scratch Remover System
This option is great for anyone looking to remove scratches permanently. This particular company prides itself on its high-quality products, and their solution is nothing short of that. The company also has a one-year money back guarantee to show how confident it is about its product.
If car maintenance intimidates you and you’re worried about not being able to do a proper job yourself, you can relax with this product. In such a case, this product can be a great choice for you, since there are plenty of step-by-step videos that will help you get the job done.
In this set, you’ll receive a patented 3000-grit reusable sanding sponge, five 120ml bottles of product, and reusable cleaning cloths.
If you need to have a professional-grade remover system on hand, this option is a good choice for you.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- Detailed instruction and how-to videos.
- Comes with five formulas, one for each step.
- 3 color-coded microfiber towels.
- Safe-T-sand 3000-grit sanding sponge.
What We Like
- Comes with everything you may need to get a good job done.
- Removes 80 percent of all vehicle scratches.
- 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
What We Don’t Like
- May not work too well on some deep scratches.
Summary
If you’re on the hunt for the whole package, the Ultimate removal system is definitely worth considering.
This is a great option for anybody looking to use professional-grade products and the peace of mind a guarantee brings.
To ensure that the product is being used to its full potential, the company has several how-to videos on Youtube.
TriNova Scratch Swirl Remover
If you’re in the market for a simple solution and don’t want the fancy systems that require the use of complicated tools, this could be the right choice for you.
The TriNova remover is a formula made with high-quality ingredients, and is manufactured in the US. The set includes a 12-ounce bottle of scratch remover and a buffer pad.
This remover is best used for moderate scratches, and should not be used on any that are deep into the clear coat or the metal. If you happen to be unsure whether or not something on your car is light enough for this remover, you can do the fingernail test to determine what’s what.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- 12-ounce bottle.
- Premium surface restoration.
- Safe on all paint finishes.
- Removes unsightly blemishes.
- Buffer pad included.
- Works by hand or with an orbital polisher.
- Restores brilliance and repairs minor scratches.
What We Like
- Comes with a buffer pad.
- Can remove other blemishes, such as water spots, oxidation, etc.
- Can buffer by hand or with a buffer tool.
What We Don’t Like
- Works best only on minor scratches and blemishes.
Summary
All in all, this is a good choice for someone looking for a quick, basic solution to keep on hand for relatively light work. Because it also comes with a buffer pad, you won’t have to worry about finding a good cloth to use with it.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
Drivers looking for a car scratch remover that works ultra-fast and leaves their car looking like new should check out Meguiar’s ultimate compound.
This liquid scratch remover is especially great for people who aren’t looking for a complicated, time-consuming procedure. The bottle comes with just over 15 ounces of removal compound but doesn’t come with any type of cloth or buffer pad (the company sells them separately).
The product boasts an exclusive micro-abrasive formula to ensure an easy finish without leaving swirls or other damage on your vehicle’s exterior. It’s good for shallow scratches and paint defects, as well as oxidized surfaces, water spots, and so on.
It adds gloss and leaves a “new” finish, all in one step.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- 2 ounces of product.
- Formulated to be clear coat safe.
- Exclusive micro-abrasive technology.
- Restores surface clarity without scratching or swirling.
- Can be used by hand or with a dual-action polisher.
What We Like
- Equipped with a clear-coat safe formula.
- Removes scratches, blemishes and other wear and tear effectively.
- Restores neglected and abused paintwork.
- Micro-abrasive technology.
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with a pad or cloth for application.
- May need several applications to remove more stubborn marks.
Summary
If you’re in need of something that works quite quickly and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, Meguiar’s ultimate compound is an excellent choice.
Its clear-coat-safe formula is a good reassurance that it won’t be harsh on your car while repairing blemishes and scratches.
Although it doesn’t come with any type of buffer pad or cloth, you can buy their applicator pads separately, or use any clean cloth to get the job done.
3M Scratch and Scuff Removal System
This is an all-in-one removal system that is easy to understand and doesn’t have too many steps to follow, so it’s great for a quick but thorough fix.
With the three-stage system of sanding, compounding, then polishing, you can eliminate most minor scuffs and scratches. It repairs pretty well, and you shouldn’t need to buy any extra products to get the job done.
The system comes with all the essentials, although you’ll need to supply a drill for buffing and polishing to ensure an optimal fix, and a detailing cloth for the final polish.
In this car scratch repair kit, you’ll receive an abrasive square for sanding the area, a disc pad holder, purple compounding pad, black polishing pad, and 1-ounce packs of rubbing compound and scratch remover.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- Liquid consistency.
- 3-tiered repair process.
- All essential components included.
- Improves paint appearance.
What We Like
- Easy to use.
- Sands, polishes, and repairs all in one kit.
- Comprehensive guide included.
What We Don’t Like
- Drill for buffing and polishing needed.
- Detailing cloth/microfiber towel not included.
- Single-use only (1-ounce sachet).
Summary
The 3M removal system is a great product for anybody looking for a professional-grade finish. It comes with almost everything you need to complete the task, as well as a guidebook to give you step-by-step instructions.
Before buying this product, keep in mind that while you can use it by hand, it’s best to have a drill for the ideal finish. There also isn’t too much product included, so it’s good for one use only.
Turtle Wax Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover
This affordable polishing compound and scratch remover combo from Turtle Wax is definitely worth a look.
Its heavy paste consistency is safe on all car finishes, as well as painted metal and chrome. This product is also good for cleaning off dirty and dull headlights on your car.
The Turtle Wax Renew Rx polishing compound comes with 10.5 ounces of product and works for mild oxidation, faded paint, and light scratches on your vehicle. While it doesn’t come with an applicator, you can use any clean, damp cloth (100 percent cotton) to apply the paste to the problem areas. Buff with a clean, dry cloth to finish, and you’re all set.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- 5-ounce container.
- Restores dull finishes.
- Removes light scratches.
- Safe for all car finishes, painted metal, and chrome.
What We Like
- Easy to use.
- Works quickly to repair damage.
- Safe on all car finishes.
- More affordable than other scratch removers listed.
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come with any applicators, such as microfiber cloth, pad, etc.
- Won’t remove deep scratches
Summary
Turtle Wax has been a popular brand name for over 60 years, and this car scratch removal product is another one that doesn’t disappoint.
For something that will give you fairly quick results, the Turtle Wax polishing compound and remover is a great choice. It’s also easy to use, which is great for anybody who may not be very car maintenance savvy.
NOVUS 2 Plastic Fine Scratch Remover
This one is for the plastics on your car, rather than the paintwork. As I’m sure you’ll agree, there’s just as much likelihood of scratches here as on the painted areas. So, if your scratches and scuffs are on the plastic, this product is a good option for you to consider.
This product comes in an 8-ounce bottle and is suitable for more than just plastic surfaces on cars. It can be used on a variety of other vehicles as well as household items, such as boats, golf carts, and even kitchen equipment.
Rather than simply filling in plastic scratches, this product completely removes light scratches from your vehicle’s plastic finish. When you need to replenish an item’s plastic finish to like-new, this remover has the ability to do so with repeated uses.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- Removes fine scratches on plastic surfaces.
- Restores discolored and faded plastic.
- Offers permanent results.
- Seals with a coat of polish.
- Won’t work on coated plastics.
What We Like
- Removes scratches and scuffs, rather than just filling them in.
- Multipurpose, can be used on most plastics.
- Buffs out quickly.
What We Don’t Like
- Not recommended for coated plastics.
Summary
If you’re looking for something to fix up any plastic components of your car, the NOVUS 2 remover could be the right product for you.
Its multi-usability is a major plus. If you have CDs or DVDs that are scuffed up, you can use this product to restore them back to normal. It also works well on plastic windows on boats, motorcycles, other vehicles, and even household products. However, this particular product is not recommended for coated plastics.
Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover
Of all the basic car scratch removers we’ve talked about on this list, this Chemical Guys product comes in the largest bottle (16 ounces) but is also available in a 4-ounce bottle size.
This remover is a compound, polish, and cleaner all in one. It is easy to use, although the company recommends you do the job by machine. It’s also wax and silicone-free, but still works like a cutting compound to eliminate any surface imperfections such as water spots and stains, as well as light scratches.
It can be used on clear coats or single-stage paintwork.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- 16 ounces.
- 1-step high gloss polish.
- Removes scratch, swirl marks, and other defects.
- Works on single-stage or clear coat paint.
- Doesn’t contain waxes or fillers.
- Works with all rotary buffing or dual-action machines.
What We Like
- Economical product, one bottle should be long-lasting.
- One-step process.
- Works on all types of car paintwork.
What We Don’t Like
- Recommended for use with power tools, not applied by hand.
Summary
The Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl remover works with all car colors and is a one-step process that could restore your car’s paintwork back to showroom condition.
The only downside to this choice is that the company recommends using it with machines, rather than by hand. That said, if you’ve got the tools, no problem!
Mothers California Gold Scratch Remover
Mothers California Gold remover comes in an 8-ounce bottle, and works well on any type of vehicle paintwork. When you require a rapid response to those minor scuffs and scratches on your vehicle, it’s just what you need.
Used with a soft and smooth, clean cloth, you just rub away those unsightly abrasions and let the formula do what it does best to have them disappear and restore your paintwork.
Because this removes the top layer from your paintwork, the manufacturer recommends following up with a wax finish.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- 8-ounce bottle.
- Works on all car colors and finishes.
- Safely and effectively eliminates surface scratches.
- Waxing the area is recommended after treatment.
What We Like
- Restores paint and removes small scratches.
- Reduces the appearance of deeper scratches.
- Works on any painted surface.
- No machines needed (elbow grease only!).
- Easy to use.
What We Don’t Like
- More than one application may be needed.
- Paintwork needs to be waxed after treatment.
Summary
This remover from Mothers is designed to provide a quick fix for scratches. It can be carried out anywhere at any time, with no polishing appliances or fancy machines needed. The only downside is that the paintwork requires waxing afterward to keep it protected, as you’ll remove the top paint layer with this product.
Turtle Wax Scratch and Chip Repair Pen
Another quick-fix product to keep in mind is this repair pen from Turtle Wax. We especially admire this pen because it carries out a repair in minutes rather than hours, and – unlike other pens – it also dries to the touch in as little as 10 minutes.
This repair pen will work on both small and long scratches, as well as chips caused by stones and other flying debris. The felt tip of the pen makes for optimal precision to ensure a clean repair, and one pen can be used for up to 144 inches of application.
Bear in mind, however, that this pen is not technically a scratch remover. Instead, it just fills in the area exposed by the scratches.
Manufacturer’s Specs and Feature List
- 144 inches of use.
- Safe to use on any type of paintwork.
- Fills in scratches and chips in less than a minute.
- Precision tip for accuracy.
- Dries to the touch in 10 minutes
What We Like
- Compact, easy to store in the glove box.
- Doesn’t drip or run on vertical surfaces.
- Universal, but comes in different color finishes
- Also helps repair rock chips as well as heavy scratches.
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t technically remove scratches.
- Only works on specific car colors.
Summary
If you’re worried about how a remover will look on your car’s finish when you’re done, you won’t need to with this scratch repair pen. Its universal color-match technology will ensure that the finish will match up to your car’s paint job.
However, it’s only available in four colors, so isn’t for everyone. Also, it’s more suitable for chips and deeper scratches than superficial scratches, for which a traditional scratch remover is a better choice.
Alltold, the Turtle Wax Color Magic repair pen is definitely a good option for anybody looking to keep something handy for on-the-spot repairs.
Car Scratches: How They Happen and How to Get Rid of Them
Car scratches are inevitable, and can happen for any number of reasons. Whether it be a jealous ex and a pair of keys, or the accidental grocery bag swipe across your passenger side door, virtually anything can scratch your car.
With that being said, there are lots of things you can do to minimize the chances of scratches appearing on your pride and joy.
- Wash your car regularly. Dirt build-up will make your vehicle more susceptible to scratches.
- Leaning on the car could cause scratches from a metal button, zipper, or stud on your clothing.
- When washing your car, use a hose to clear off any loose dirt and grime before cleaning, and don’t use a harsh cloth.
- After rinsing, dry your car with a clean chamois or terry cloth.
- Finish off with car wax to protect the outer layers of paint.
When Should You Use a Car Scratch Remover?
Whenever your car gets scratches in its paint, a car scratch remover will only be useful for minor scrapes and nicks. It lightly sands the area to match the rest of a car’s paint. With more severe scratches—those that penetrate down to the metal of your car—a car scratch remover may end up causing more damage to your vehicle’s appearance.
A good indicator in finding out whether or not a car scratch remover will work for you is by doing a fingernail test. If you can feel it with your fingernail, it’s probably too deep for a regular remover. You then need to take your car to a paint shop to get it properly fixed.
What Different Types of Car Scratch Removers Can I Choose From?
Once you know whether or not you’ll be able to use a car scratch remover for your vehicle’s situation, your next step is finding out which one is best for your needs. So, let’s go over the different types of effective car scratch removers you can choose from.
Polish
This is as basic a method as it gets. It doesn’t require a lot of steps to get it to work, and is good for car owners who don’t want the complication of a multi-step process when removing scratches or paint imperfections from their car.
In some cases, removal polish will also come with a buffer pad or some other cloth suitable for applying the polish. This helps because you won’t have to worry about finding a cloth that is suitable for the task.
It’s also important to keep in mind that buffer pads and cloths need to be properly cleaned after use to prevent causing more scratch and swirl mark damage to your car’s paint job in the future.
Note: If you do accidentally create them, here is a guide dedicated to removing swirl marks from cars.
Pens
Car scratch remover pens are good for drivers who need to repair scratches quickly. They can be easily stored in your glove box or bag, and make quick repairs in parking lots super easy.
These scratch removal products are also good for anybody on a budget. Most cost less than remover polish or full-on systems.
With that being said, there is some controversy as to whether or not this type works effectively or lasts as long as other methods.
Color-Specific Scratch Removers
If you want something that will match the color of your vehicle’s paint, look for a color-specific product.
With color-specific removers, a polish has pigments added which match the color of your car. You may have to purchase these from your car dealer rather than the local accessories store, though, which is likely to bump up the cost.
Compound Pads/Step Systems
If you’re looking for a more complex kit, getting scratch remover compound pads or scratch removal step systems may be what you need.
These systems tend to have a higher price tag, but they come with several parts that each specializes in getting a different job done. Keep that in mind if you specifically want something affordable.
Conclusion
Hopefully by now, you have enough insight into what car scratch remover products are, how they work, what they do, and what’s available on the market, and have more of an idea about which product(s) will suit your circumstances best.
There is a degree of satisfaction in doing the job yourself, and it’s always less expensive than taking your car to a professional body shop, but keep in mind that a botched job will stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. So, you always need to know when a car scratch remover won’t be sufficient, and when you need to call on a professional to tackle the job instead.
