Why are scratch repair kits worth your while? Simply put, cars go through a lot during their lives. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of miles of being exposed to varying weather conditions, materials, and the odd objects resting on top. Look closely, and you may notice the paint could do with a good polish.
That is all unless you happen to keep your car absolutely immaculate by the means of a polishing kit. But most people won’t be used to that level of car detailing, yet the sight of swirl marks and light scratches will just plague some car owners’ minds.
With that said, plenty of scratch repair kits are available from the top car cleaning/polishing manufacturers. They are designed as packs which provide you with what you need to tackle light scratches and swirl marks on your bodywork. Car polishing kits are available for the main stages of scratch repairs. Bear in mind that if a scratch is simply too deep, you will need to get it professionally stripped back and repainted. Most light scratches will only appear on the surface of the clear coat of a car’s paintwork.
The best scratch repair kits at a glance:
Best scratch repair kit: Autoglym Scratch Repair Kit – buy from Amazon.
Best on a budget: Turtle Wax Repair and Revive – buy from Turtle Wax.
The best scratch repair kit for beginners: Meguiar’s G190200EU Scratch Repair Kit – buy from Amazon.
Most scratch repair kits feature a mild abrasive compound that gently removes a small area of the clear coat in and around the scratch area, leaving it flush with the surrounding bodywork by filling in the remaining defect. This is the main stage that professional detailers do to repair a section of scratches. Beforehand, some tend to use clay bars to remove contaminants before the main polishing stage.
The best scratch repair kits
The best scratch repair kit
I noticed a few little imperfections on our VW Amarok long term test vehicle, and decided to give the pack a thorough go. Included in the pack is an applicator, microfibre cloth, Super Resin Polish and the Scratch Remover itself.
The instructions are quite specific; you have to shake the scratch remover before applying it to the scratch (after cleaning and drying the area) in a horizontal and vertical motion. Afterwards, you buff off the residue before applying a bit of Super Resin Polish and if needed, repeating the process until the scratch is removed or improved.
The results on our test were very impressive. The scratch I attempted to fix was a little bit deeper than it first looked, yet this kit did a fine job at improving the offending area. Once you're in the rhythm, the process is very straightforward and easy to remember and this kit is essential for light scratches or swirl marks that may annoy you.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Ideal kit for beginners as the instructions are easy to follow
- Good value for money at a hair over £20
- Does a great job at removing light scratches and swirl marks
Cons
- You'll need more equipment to get started, such as all-purpose cleaner
Best budget scratch remover
We tried it for ourselves, attempting to repair a nasty set of marks on a MK8 Volkswagen Golf. I simply applied a small amount to a microfibre cloth (a Bilt Hamber one) and set about repairing the damage.
It was no mean feat either, because in what felt like seconds, the light marks were no longer visible. You have to keep in mind that if a scratch can be dug in by your fingernail, it's probably too deep to cure. This was evident of the paint chips on the outer edges of the scratch, but the rest of it more-or-less disappeared as if they were never there.
I was astounded by the performance of Turtle Wax's scratch remover, and it made me think that in this instance, it may not be worth bothering upgrading to the higher-end products. Why? Because the performance of this one really is that good.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Very affordable at £8.50 for a 207ml bottle
- Works almost like magic and makes scratches disappear
- You don't even need to use that much to get a great result
Cons
- Complete kit not included, so you have to provide your own cloth/applicator
The best scratch repair kit for beginners
Rrp: $28.00
Rrp: $28.00
To remove your scratch using a drill, begin by attaching the applicator pad to a standard household drill, then apply a small amount of the Meguiar’s scratch remover to the surface. Use the drill to press the eraser pad into the scratch and begin making overlapping passes, running the drill at medium speed.
The consistency in movement provided by a rotating drill head will evenly file the bodywork down, filling in the remaining scratch marks and gently polishing for a shiny finish. Using a drill saves time and energy, but make sure to follow the directions included in the pack for the best results.
Pros
- Comprehensive little kit
- Good value
Cons
- You'll need to provide your own machine
Best scratch removal kit for black cars
The polish contains little black pigments to help restore the glossy shine of your black car. But not only that, it also contains carnauba wax that leaves behind a layer of protection. This ensures your car is kept looking fresh and protected for longer.
Pros
- Contains carnauba wax to leave a protective layer
- Very effective at restoring a glossy black
Cons
- Won't be suited to any other colour
The most simple scratch remover
Like the other products on this list, it’s a simple process, but must be performed with care for the best results – go slowly and check your progress throughout.
Pros
- Very simple process
- Renowned name in paint restoration
Cons
- No other equipment included
Best applicator pads
Rrp: $5.00
Rrp: $5.00
Apply dressings with just your fingertips using these applicator pads -the four-inch diameter makes them perfect for handheld use. The applicators do not absorb the wax or polish, meaning there is no wastage of dressing or scratch remover when in use.
Pros
- Great value
- Four applicators included
Cons
- No polisher or extras included
Best microfibre towel
Rrp: $11.99
Rrp: $11.99
This microfibre by Meguiar's comes in a three-pack and it's designed to buff out and remove polishes, waxes, and spray detailers in a breeze.
Pros
- Great quality microfibres
- Comes in pack of three
Cons
- No other equipment included
Best buffing microfibre cloth
Pros
- Perfect for buffing
- Very affordable
Cons
- It's only designed purpose is for buffing
How to use a repair kit
Begin by cleaning the surface area around the scratch zone, ensuring no contaminants are left as buffing them in may cause further damage. Then, apply a small amount of scratch removal liquid to an applicator pad or damp cloth; use sparingly as a little will go a long way. The same principal goes to using chrome cleaners.
Rub the liquid into the scratch site area in small movements, applying firm pressure during the application phase to remove the scratch. Some repair kits will come with drill-compatible applicator pads – great for an even buff and high gloss shine, but if you’re left to a manually operated pad, make sure to continue the process until the scratch has been removed. It’s an ever-so-slightly different process to approaching work with a headlight restoration kit, but not too dissimilar.
Conclude the process by wiping away all the excess removal liquid with a soft microfiber cloth. For a high gloss finish, apply a layer of polish to the scratch area zone. Due diligence is required for the best results, so take your time and refer to the instruction manual for help.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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