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Aidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football. Asphalt Reclaimed Equipment
Best Car Scratch Remover Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound An affordable car scratch remover that is safe for all paint finishes. 4.2/5 Check Price Best for Deep Scratches Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover A car scratch remover meant for moderate and deep scratches. 4.2/5 Chemical Guys Amazon Easy to Buff Shine Armor Revive Scratch Repair Swirl Remover A car scratch remover that also restores paint. 4.2/5 Check Price Best Kit Carfidant Ultimate Scratch & Swirl Remover A popular product that comes with the liquid and a scrubber. 4/5 Check Price Best Value 3M Scratch Removal System A removal kit that comes with two liquids and two scrubbers. 4/5 Check Price
An affordable car scratch remover that is safe for all paint finishes.
A car scratch remover meant for moderate and deep scratches.
A car scratch remover that also restores paint.
A popular product that comes with the liquid and a scrubber.
A removal kit that comes with two liquids and two scrubbers.
Every car likely has a scratch or two on it from getting dinged in a parking lot or scraped by the garage door when pulling in. These scratches can add up and detract from the visual appeal of your favorite ride. They can also allow water damage or rust to take hold and cause an expensive repair bill. With a car scratch remover, you can treat those spots and make your car look new again.
In order to find the best car scratch removal products, we tested several options from our favorite brands as well as the most popular options on Amazon. We tried to suggest scratch removers at different price points that effectively eliminate minor nicks and scratches from your vehicle’s paint job.
After we tested several options ranging in price, we determined that Meguiar’s car scratch remover is among the best options based on cost and effectiveness. That said, our other recommendations are also effective scratch removers that some may prefer depending on your time, budget, and vehicle.
We named the Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound, Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover, Shine Armor Revive Scratch Repair Swirl Remover, Carfidant Ultimate Scratch & Swirl Remover, and 3M Scratch Removal System as the best-rated car scratch removers on the market in 2024.
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
The car scratch removers in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Amazon, RealTruck, and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors such as application methods, remover types, customer ratings, and prices.
Our product testing team then ordered the car scratch removers that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on one of our testing vehicles, taking note of how easy the car scratch remover was to use, its effectiveness, and whether it left behind any leftover residue.
One of our team members had scraped their car against a cement pillar in a parking garage prior to testing. This gave us a perfect testing vehicle that simulated the kind of damage often seen on daily driver vehicles. The scrape was large enough to test out all five products as there were scrapes on the door and the corner of the front bumper.
After looking at factors such as application methods, remover types, customer ratings, and prices, our product testing team ordered the car scratch removers that best met these standards. A team member tested each product, taking note of how well the scratch remover performed when it came to ease of application, ease of buffing, and overall scratch repair ability. Each scratch remover was given a rating out of 5.0 stars based on these criteria.
Learn more about how we tested car scratch removers here.
Meguiar’s car scratch remover takes first place because of its versatility and affordability. It removes all kinds of paint imperfections, including scratches and swirls. You can also apply it to any paint finish using your hands, a polisher, or a buffer.
Meguiar’s product costs about half of what the other brands are charging. It even comes in an 8.0-oz. bottle, meaning you will have enough product to remove several scratches.
You can see how the Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound:
Pros Very low price Lasts a long time Removes many small to medium scratches Cons Some leftover residue
We found Meguiar’s was easy to work with, and it removed all of the small scratches in this area of the car. We tested it in the central area of the photo above. You can see that there are significantly fewer scratches on the door and that the remaining scratches are less noticeable. Again, many of the scratches on our test vehicle were too deep for DIY car scratch products to cure.
Customers are pleased with how well Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound removes shallow and moderate scratches. Customers even say it leaves cars polished, which suggests that it contains some wax to match the rest of the car’s shine. However, some reviewers complain about how difficult this product is to remove after you’re done buffing it into the scratch.
Best for Deep Scratches 4.2/5 Chemical Guys Amazon
Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover is the only car scratch remover that advertises its ability to treat both moderate and deep scratches in the paint. This means you should be able to remove everything from a small ding to a deep key scratch with this product.
Chemical Guys’ car scratch remover comes in a 16.0-oz. bottle, which is double or more than double the size of the other products in this review. This allows you to treat all the scratches around your car in one step and save the rest for future scratches.
You can see how the Chemical Guys VSS perfor med in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover:
Pros Removed deeper scratches than other options Easy to apply and remove Cons Pungent smell
We found the scratch remover product from Chemical Guys to be very effective. In the image above, you can see that it took care of almost all the scratches except for the very deep ones. It worked so well that it revealed a dent in the door that wasn’t visible before.
However, be sure to use this product with adequate ventilation. We found that the Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover had the most pungent chemical smell of all the products.
Customers say Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover is easy to use, especially if you watch the company’s tutorial videos on YouTube. They say it removes moderate scratches well and greatly diminishes the appearance of deeper ones. Some customers complain that the product doesn’t help with swirls and may make them worse.
Easy to Buff 4.2/5 Check Price
This mini 4.0-oz. bottle of Shine Armor Revive Scratch Repair & Swirl Remover is perfect for the car owner who only needs to treat a few spots. It treats scratches along with other imperfections, such as swirls, water spots, and oxidations.
Shine Armor’s product is also wax- and filler-free, meaning you can treat the spot once and not have to worry about the repair fading with time.
You can see how the Shine Armor Revive performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Shine Armor Revive Scratch Repair & Swirl Remover:
Pros Easy to work with Takes care of medium and small scratches Cons Expensive
Ouch. This part of the vehicle suffered the deepest scratches from the cement post, and the Shine Armor scratch remover had its work cut out for it. You can see that the gouge actually goes through all layers of clear coat and paint to reach the metal underneath.
Overall, Shine Armor Revive Scratch Repair & Swirl Remover did a great job of getting rid of small and moderate scratches on the vehicle. For some reason, the actual fluid was the easiest to work with and squeeze onto the buffing pad. It’s possible that the smaller bottle makes it easier to handle.
Customers say that the Shine Armor Revive Scratch Repair & Swirl Remover eliminates minor scratches and that deeper scratches are only visible if you look closely. They report that it works best when used with Shine Armor’s Fortify Quick Coat. Some customers say it’s too expensive, especially compared to other car scratch removers that are more effective.
This is one of two car scratch remover kits in this review. It comes with a bottle of liquid and a buffer pad. The application process is easy and only requires putting some liquid on the pad and buffing it into the scratch.
In addition to removing the scratches on any paint finish or color, Carfidant’s formula restores the paint, making the paint job look shiny and new again.
You can see how the Carfidant Ultimate Scratch & Swirl Remover performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the Carfident Ultimate Scratch & Swirl Remover:
Pros Restores paint as well Removed a majority of scratches Cons Couldn't remove all scratches
We found that the Carfidant Ultimate Scratch & Swirl Remover removed most of the scratches fairly well. This product also left a nice shine on the surface of the car. That said, you can see that the product wasn’t able to get out every scratch. Most of these scratches penetrated the layer of paint below the clear coat.
Users say the Carfidant Ultimate Scratch & Swirl Remover removes light scratches and scuff marks. Some customers even say it exceeded their expectations and lightened or removed deeper scratches that they thought would require professional work. There are some complaints that the polish only lasts until the car gets wet. After that, the scratch purportedly reappears.
This kit is a little more complicated than the Carfidant one, but it gives you all the necessary tools and detailed instructions to walk you through the process. The 3M Scratch Removal System comes with scratch remover liquid, a rubbing compound, two scrubbers, sandpaper, and a buffer attachment.
3M’s kit is ideal for light damage and will remove scratches, scuffs, and other marks on the paint’s surface.
You can see how th e 3M Scratch Removal System performed in each of our testing categories below:
Below are the pros and cons of the 3M Scratch Removal System:
Pros Easy application process Good scratch removal results Cons Some leftover residue
Above, you can see that the 3M Scratch Removal System did a pretty good job of clearing up the surface scratches and making deep scratches less noticeable.
The system has you start by wetting the area and then sanding the scratch with the pad to build up a slurry. After that, you buff it with the purple compounding pad and rubbing compound. Finally, you buff the area with the black polishing pad and scratch remover compound. The whole process was fairly simple, and the clear instructions that came with the kit made it easy. However, it does take more time to apply this remover as it requires multiple steps.
Customers like the 3M Scratch Removal System because it comes with sandpaper and scrubbing pads instead of just the liquid. They say it requires a bit of scrubbing, but it greatly reduces the appearance of scratches and scuff marks. Some customers note that their kit only came with the liquid and they had to contact Amazon and wait for the rest of the supplies to arrive before using it.
Some car scratch removers may work better on certain paint colors than others. You may need to try several options to determine which works best on your vehicle. It is worth considering which tools you already have (for instance, do you need sandpaper and an orbital polisher?), as well as the amount of buffing you’ll need to do. Some of our recommendations are applied in a single step, while others require applying multiple compounds. You can compare car scratch removers at a glance below:
There are three types of car scratch removers, including:
If you are only treating one scratch, you won’t need much product, so you can buy the smallest bottle possible. However, if you have several scratches around your car, you will want to purchase a larger bottle. Also keep in mind that the product is liquid, meaning that if you don’t use it all at once, it may dry before you need to use it again.
Car scratch removers may or may not contain wax or silicone. A remover without wax or silicone will be runnier, but the results will last a lot longer. A remover with wax or silicone is thicker, making it easier to fill in the scratch. However, the product will fade over time, meaning you will have to reapply. You’ll want to decide which you prefer before looking into products.
Each car scratch remover will have different application instructions. You’ll want to review these instructions thoroughly beforehand so you have the proper tools to apply the product to your car. It’s common for manufacturers to recommend cleaning the area before applying the repair kit, so you may want to also consider a car wash soap .
Most removers require microfiber towels or sponges, and some even require sandpaper for deeper scratches. You can also buy a kit so you don’t have to worry about finding the right supplies.
All the products we tested did what they advertised: They removed light to moderate scratches in the finish of the vehicle. Most of the products clearly state that they are not made to fill in deep scratches or scratches that you can feel with your fingernails.
Here’s a before shot of the entire door:
And here’s what that door looked like after we tested the different products:
Did the products get rid of all the scratches? No. But, did they work as expected? Yes, they did. The car certainly looks much better than it did before. If you don’t need to fix very deep scratches, any of the products in our review could do the trick for your car. Overall, though, we recommend Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound as the best car scratch remover.
Below are some common frequently asked questions about car scratch removers:
Our top picks for car scratch removers are:
All of them work for general car care or as part of an automotive detailing kit.
The paint job of a car is typically made up of three layers. The bottom layer acts as a primer for the second layer, which contains the color. The final layer on top is a clear coat that makes your car look shiny. At-home car scratch removers typically only work on scratches on the first two layers.
This is because most removers are abrasive compounds that melt the paint around the scratch, which is then used to fill in the scratch. If you have a major scratch that goes all the way down to the metal, we recommend sending your car to a professional. They will have better equipment to tackle the scratch and will be able to touch up the paint instead of just melting the paint around it.
Here is a step-by-step process to follow:
Yes. Washing and waxing your car regularly could prevent scratches since wax acts as a protective layer against light blemishes.
Oxidation happens when your car’s paint is exposed to intense heat and sunlight. It leaves swirls, faded areas, and white spots on your paint. You can prevent this from happening by regularly waxing your car, parking it in the shade, and using a car cover. If you start to see oxidation on your car’s paint, you can use a car scratch remover to treat it.
Scratch and swirl marks are more prominent on black cars than they are on cars of any other color. However, a standard abrasive car scratch remover may not work on a black car because each layer of paint will be a different color, preventing you from melting the paint layers and blending them into the scratch. If you own a black car, you’ll want to purchase a scratch remover kit specifically designed for a black car that contains wax. The Carfidant Black Car Scratch Remover is a good choice, with nearly 12,000 Amazon customers rating it 3.8 stars.
Our review team found some repair kits could handle both fine scratches and deeper damage to the car’s surfaces, and most worked to lessen light scratches. For best results, customers should follow instructions from the manufacturer and have the necessary materials like a microfiber cloth for a car wash beforehand.
When addressing deep scratches on a car’s finish, we found that Chemical Guys VSS Scratch & Swirl Remover worked effectively on deep scratches. If the scratch is too deep for a polishing compound to completely cover up, a professional body repair shop may be the next best option.
Our reviews team thoroughly researched the most popular car scratch removers on auto enthusiast message boards as well as sites like Amazon. We looked for products with positive customer reviews, that were known for easily and effectively removing minor vehicle scratches.
We then ordered several top car scratch removers from different brands and at different price points for testing.
Before testing, we thoroughly washed the scratches on the car to get rid of any dust or residue from the cement pillar. We then used a cordless drill and a single type of polishing pad to test each of the products (except for the 3M Scratch Removal System, which came with pads).
Many of the scratches on our test car were deep. DIY car scratch removal products are only meant to resurface the top layer of clear coat, not fill in deep scratches. You’ll see that some scratches are still visible after the test. However, the products removed most if not all of the smaller scratches on the vehicle.
After using each car scratch remover according to the included instructions, we assessed the ease of use, each product’s overall effectiveness, and how much residue was leftover after use.
Some car scratch removers are easier to use than others. For a particular product, could we easily understand how to use it and apply the proper technique? Did the product require heavy scrubbing or just a few flicks of the wrist to apply? Car scratch removers that are simple and fast-acting scored best in this category.
What kind of car scratches did the product remove, and how did the car look afterward? We measured effectiveness by noting how well (or how poorly) each product masked the scratches. We tested each remover on car scratches of varying depths with the expectation that these products would not remove deeper scratches.
Car scratch products tend to leave residue after the buffing process. How much did the product leave, and did it make the car hard to clean? Products that left the least residue or traces scored best in this category.
Every car scratch remover we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here’s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here .
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
Aidan Pounder is a Motor1 product tester who has written reviews spanning from tonneau covers to rooftop cargo boxes. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
As a member of both the APA and IMPA, Charles Noyes has devoted himself to creating and refining quality content covering automotive products and accessories, motorcycle products, RV products, and more. As the lead editor serving the product review team, he has personally reviewed, critiqued, and fact-checked over 200 product reviews.
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