Paint Care
Can toothpaste remove scratches from a car? Not reliably.
Toothpaste contains mild abrasives, which is why this popular DIY fix sounds like it should work. While toothpaste may make an extremely light surface mark look less noticeable in some cases, it isn't formulated for automotive clear coat and isn't a reliable way to repair a car scratch.
Taking the DIY path for fixing minor damage or problems with your ride is more than acceptable. As a car enthusiast, there can be a lot of satisfaction in getting your hands dirty when needed.
But before trying to remove a scratch, the first step is figuring out what kind of scratch you're dealing with and how deep it goes. Different types of scratches require different repair methods.
So, rather than just telling you why toothpaste isn't the best option, we're going to explain why, show you how to identify different types of car scratches, and look at better ways to address them.
The idea of using toothpaste to remove scratches from your car makes sense, from a certain point of view. Toothpaste is used to remove debris from your teeth. This is accomplished through the abrasive polishing agents that are found in toothpaste formulas. However, these abrasives are very different from those used in automotive polishes or cutting compounds.
The majority of abrasives within toothpaste are made from materials such as calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, sodium metaphosphate, calcium pyrophosphate, and zirconium silicate.
These mild abrasives help explain why toothpaste may sometimes change the appearance of an extremely light surface mark. But that doesn't mean the scratch has actually been repaired.
Automotive compounds and polishes are specifically designed to work with vehicle paint systems and clear coats. Toothpaste isn't, and the result can vary depending on the toothpaste, paint surface, depth of the defect, and how aggressively it is applied.
When people have used toothpaste to address scratches, it's also commonly discussed in relation to plastic surfaces such as a plastic headlight or brake light cover. Even on those surfaces, results can vary.
Not all automotive paint scratches are the same. Many scratches found on a car's paint surface are not deep enough to penetrate the paint itself. Instead, the scratch may be limited to the clear coat. Even the depth of a clear-coat scratch can vary.
Before attempting to eliminate a scratch from your car, you need to figure out what kind of scratch it is, how deep it goes, and what material has been affected.
Different grades of scratches require different approaches for removal or repair.
Scratches are the result of harder material damaging a softer surface. The appropriate repair depends largely on how deep that damage goes.
Light defects within the clear coat may be candidates for polishing or paint correction. Deeper scratches that penetrate the clear coat, color coat, primer, or reach bare metal require different repair methods.
Here are four common types of scratches found on a vehicle's painted surface:
The first type of scratch found on vehicles is known as a clear coat scratch, or a swirl mark. These scratches are common and are caused by many different sources, such as dust, using dirty towels or mitts to dry the car, and automatic car washes. Since these scratches can be very fine, they may be difficult to see until the paint is viewed under direct light or from a certain angle.
Scratch removal or getting rid of swirl marks may involve using a cutting or polishing compound with the appropriate polishing process.
The goal of paint correction is to carefully level a small amount of the surrounding clear coat so the defect becomes less visible or is removed. It isn't about filling the scratch with toothpaste, polish, or another temporary substance.
Deeper clear-coat defects may require more advanced paint-correction techniques. The correct approach depends on the depth of the defect and the condition of the paint.
Learn more about what paint correction does.
The next type of paint scratch is one in which the clear coat has been penetrated completely and the damage reaches the color coat underneath.
These scratches are more difficult to correct because polishing the clear coat cannot replace paint that has already been removed.
The appropriate repair depends on the depth, size, and location of the damage. A scratch that reaches the color coat may require touch-up paint or refinishing rather than polishing alone.
Trying to aggressively polish or sand a deep scratch can remove additional clear coat or paint, so deeper damage may be better evaluated by an experienced professional.
If your scratch goes into the primer of your car, there isn't a simple polishing fix available.
At this depth, the repair may require touch-up paint or refinishing to restore the damaged layers of the paint system. The correct method depends on the size and location of the damage.
A scratch that pierces all the way to the bare metal of your car requires attention.
Exposed metal can be vulnerable to corrosion when moisture and environmental contaminants reach the surface. At this depth, the goal isn't simply to make the scratch less visible. The damaged paint system needs to be properly repaired and protected.
Not every scratch creates the same risk.
A light defect that remains within the clear coat is different from damage that exposes the color coat, primer, or bare metal. Scratches that penetrate deeply enough to compromise the protective paint layers should be addressed because exposed material can become vulnerable to moisture, contamination, and corrosion.
The first step is identifying how deep the damage goes before deciding how it should be repaired.
Once you have identified a scratch on your vehicle, the correct next step depends on its depth.
Temporary cosmetic products may make some light marks less noticeable, but they don't replace clear coat, paint, or primer that has been removed.
For deeper scratches, proper touch-up or refinishing may be needed to restore the damaged paint system.
The second approach to dealing with certain scratches in your car's paint is correction.
Paint correction can improve or remove defects that are within the clear coat by carefully leveling the affected surface with automotive compounds and polishes.
However, paint correction can't replace missing color coat, primer, or paint. If a scratch has penetrated beyond the clear coat, another repair method may be required.
Learn more about what paint correction does.
So, if toothpaste isn't the solution to fixing scratches, then what is?
For light scratches and defects that remain within the clear coat, paint correction may be an option. Professional detailers use combinations of compounds, polishes, pads, and polishing equipment based on the condition of the paint and the depth of the defect.
Paint correction removes a small amount of clear coat, so the process should be approached carefully. Deeper or more serious paint damage should be evaluated by a professional.
Here are the basic stages commonly involved when correcting small swirl marks or minor clear-coat defects. Deeper scratches or more serious paint damage should be handled differently.
Before getting started on paint correction, the vehicle needs to be thoroughly cleaned and the paint inspected.
Start by properly washing and drying the vehicle. Surface contamination may also need to be removed before polishing so it isn't dragged across the paint during correction.
A clay bar or clay mitt can help remove bonded surface contamination when used correctly. Chemical decontamination may also be appropriate depending on the condition of the vehicle.
Once the paint is clean and decontaminated, the correction process can begin.
The exact combination of machine, pad, compound, and polish depends on the paint and the severity of the defects. The goal is to use an appropriate correction process while removing as little clear coat as necessary.
Because paint systems and defects vary, there isn't one polishing combination or number of passes that is appropriate for every vehicle.
After investing time and effort into paint correction, protecting and properly maintaining the finish can help preserve the results.
Different protection products serve different purposes.
Car waxes and paint sealants can provide temporary surface protection and enhance the appearance of the finish. Their durability varies considerably depending on the product, vehicle use, environment, and maintenance.
A professional ceramic coating can enhance gloss, create hydrophobic behavior, make routine cleaning easier, and help protect the finish from environmental contamination.
Ceramic coatings should not be confused with a solution for preventing significant physical impact damage or repairing existing scratches. Paint defects should be properly addressed before the coating is applied.
For drivers more concerned about physical road damage, Paint Protection Film provides a physical barrier over the painted surface.
PPF is commonly applied to high-impact areas to help protect the paint from rock chips, road debris, and certain scratches.
If road debris is one of your main concerns, read our guide on how to protect your new car's paint from rock chips.
The bottom line: toothpaste may sound like a convenient DIY shortcut, but the better approach is to first identify how deep the scratch goes, choose the appropriate repair, and then protect the finish.
Fill out our form to be matched to an installer near you.