Car key scratches are a pain. It’s easy to scratch the paint when you’re trying to open your car door, and then you have to deal with the hassle of making sure it doesn’t get worse. But there are ways to fix it and even prevent scratches in the future.
You should try using a rubbing compound to remove the scratch. Rubbing compounds are made for removing scratches from cars, so they should work well on your keys as well. You can find them at any auto parts store, or online if you don’t want to leave your house.
You’ll also want to use some kind of wax or polish after you’ve finished repairing the scratch because it will help keep your key from getting dirty again. If you don’t have any polishing supplies lying around, just get some regular toothpaste it’ll work just as well.
Find the scratch
The best way to fix a key scratch on your car is to find it. This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t actually know where the scratch is. Once you’ve found the scratch, you’ll need to clean it out. You can use an old toothbrush or even a paperclip. Scrub until there’s nothing left in the crevice of the scratch.
Clean the scratch
The first thing to do is clean off any excess dirt from the surface of the scratch with a little bit of water and a soft cloth. If there’s still dirt embedded in the scratch, take an old toothbrush and scrub away at it until it’s clean.
Sand the scratch out of the car
You’re going to want to start by using fine-grit sandpaper, like 600 grit. This will help you get down to the metal, which is where all the light scratches are hiding. You’ll want to use circular motions as you sand and make sure you’re getting into every nook and cranny of the scratch.
If you can’t see any more light coming through the scratch once it’s been sanded, then move on to step two.
Apply a clear coat over the scratch
If you’re trying to fix a key scratch on your car, the first thing to do is apply a clear coat over the scratch. As long as you can’t see it and it doesn’t feel rough to touch, this should be fine.
If you have an older car or one with a lot of scratches, then you may be able to use some type of metal polish or wax to buff out the scratch. If there are any visible dents in the metal or it feels rough under your fingers, then you’ll need to take it into a body shop for repair.
How do you prevent scratches from happening?
The only way to avoid getting a scratch on your car is to not drive it. If that doesn’t sound like an option, there are some things you can do to minimize the likelihood of scratches. Don’t park in areas where other cars have scratched yours in the past. Try not to park close to other cars so that they can’t bump into yours.
Invest in a good wax for your car and make sure you wax it regularly so that dirt won’t stick to it as easily. Keep a rag in your car so that if you do get a scratch, you can rub it away before it becomes permanent.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to fix a key scratch on a car, you can confidently take on the task yourself and save money by doing so. You’ll also be able to avoid all of the hassles of taking your car into a shop, and you may even be able to fix it before the scratch is deep enough to cause any damage or diminish the value of your vehicle.
