Baking soda can help buff out very minor surface imperfections or light abrasions on untreated glass, but it cannot fix deep scratches. Because baking soda is a mild abrasive, it works by gently polishing and leveling the area around the scratch.
WD-40 doesn't actually repair scratches, but it is excellent at temporarily hiding very light surface marks and removing paint transfers (like when another car scrapes yours). It works by acting as a lubricant and temporarily filling in the scratch or dissolving the foreign paint.
Typically, glass polish is better for buffing out fine scratches. Look for glass polisher that contains cerium oxide. It may come as a powder that needs to be mixed with water. You can apply glass polisher by hand with a soft cleaning rag or sponge.
Perhaps one of the most effective ways to remove scratches from a car's paint job, a magic eraser is a favorite choice for many. It might not be the best tool in the box for fixing deeper cuts, but it works well on light surface scratches.
Different Ways To Fix Scratches on a Car
Simply wash and dry the car, apply liquid scratch remover (which costs about $20) or another rubbing compound to a clean microfiber towel, and rub against the affected section in a back-and-forth motion for about 60 seconds. Let dry and buff off excess with another towel.
If you are looking for a more professional touch, a detailing job can make your vehicle look shiny and new, both inside and out. Professionals use specialized polishes, pads and machines to remove a thin top layer of the clear coat, leveling out the scratch and restoring the finish.
The method to remove a scratch depends entirely on the material. Below are quick solutions for the most common types of scratches:
Techniques Detailers Use for Scratch Removal:
Polishing: Using a specialized car polish and a buffer can minimize minor, clear-coat scratches. The goal with polishing is to remove very thin layers of the clear coat to level the surface, removing or reducing the appearance of the scratches.
Because Magic Erasers are made of micro-abrasive melamine foam (which essentially acts like super-fine liquid sandpaper), they can easily scratch, dull, or strip protective coatings off of delicate items.
Dish soap is so effective at its job that it will remove more than just stubborn contamination. It will remove any previously applied car wax or paint sealant and leave the paint unprotected.
Yes, baking soda can remove very minor or fine scratches from glass by acting as a mild abrasive to polish the surface. It works best on superficial surface imperfections, not deep scratches. The method involves creating a thick paste with equal parts baking soda and water, then gently rubbing it in circular motions with a microfiber cloth.
Most scratches that can be described as small, minor, or shallow are scratches that are only as deep as the clear coat. A deep scratch on the other hand may damage the base coat, the primer, and possibly even the metal body of a vehicle. In most cases, the deeper a scratch goes, the harder it is to repair.
To remove a deep scratch—one you can catch your fingernail in—you must carefully sand and polish the glass to remove the surrounding material. Because this process risks creating optical distortion or cracking the glass, deeply damaged glass is often best left to professionals.
Yes, you can use WD-40 on glass. It is highly effective for cleaning hard water stains, removing sticky residue (like tape or stickers), and dissolving tough grime. However, it must be used in tiny amounts and wiped off completely to prevent an oily smear.
I've used this technique, and it really does work! It quickly and easily removes scratches from wood using what you already have in your home. Mix about 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/2 cup of olive oil. Then simply wipe the mixture over surface, let dry, and enjoy the results!
Several common liquids can quickly ruin your car's paint by stripping the protective wax, etching into the clear coat, or dissolving the paint entirely. The most dangerous culprits are brake fluid, gasoline, battery acid, and bird droppings.
WD-40 is highly effective at removing fresh spray paint or "paint transfer" (paint rubbed off another car or pole) without damaging your vehicle's original clear coat. Spray it liberally, let it sit for a minute to dissolve the paint, and wipe it away with a clean microfiber cloth.
Never use dish soap to wash your car. According to Consumer Reports, dish soap isn't formulated for use on a car's paint. Even a detergent like Dawn is an abrasive cleaner and can strip away a vehicle's protective top coat.
Yes, you can use a Magic Eraser inside a toilet bowl. It is highly effective for lifting hard water rings, mineral stains, and scuff marks. However, because the foam acts like ultra-fine sandpaper, you must scrub gently to avoid scratching the porcelain.
The good news is that safer abrasives exist and work just as well. Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is cheap, gentle, and incredibly effective, and as you can see it kept up with the Magic Eraser with zero microplastic fallout.
Magic Erasers (made of melamine foam) are excellent at physically lifting and scrubbing away surface mold and mildew stains from hard, non-porous surfaces. However, because they work via abrasion, they will not kill the mold, meaning it could grow back if the underlying moisture problem is not solved.
The Best Car Scratch Removers
The standard tip is typically 15-20% of the total service cost of your detailing package.