buffing out car scratches

First, wash and dry the car so you’re not grinding mystery grit into the paint like a barbarian. If your fingernail barely catches, it’s likely in the clear coat—use a quality cutting compound and a dual-action polisher (or a microfiber pad by hand), keep the pad moving, and work in small sections. Deeper grooves that swallow your nail need touch-up paint and, if you’re brave, a gentle wet-sand with 2000–3000 grit before compounding—mask edges and don’t go full “wood-chipper” on it. Keep speed and pressure modest, wipe down with isopropyl alcohol to check progress, then finish with a polish and a wax or sealant for gloss and protection. If any panel edges start looking hot or thin, stop—burning through clear is a fast track to colourful language and a respray bill. Done right, the scratch fades, your pride returns, and you can pretend it never brushed that shopping trolley.