light scratches on car Page 9

Light scratches on a car are the motoring equivalent of a mozzie bite—annoying, but fixable. Do the fingernail test: if your nail doesn’t catch, it’s likely in the clear coat—wash, clay bar, then a small dab of cutting compound and polish with a microfibre or a dual-action polisher. Finish with wax or a sealant to hide minor swirls and add protection; you’ll spend about AUD 30–150 in DIY gear.

If your nail catches, the scratch has gone through paint—use touch-up colour and clear, then carefully wet-sand and polish, or let a pro do a cut-and-polish or spot respray. A professional detail often runs AUD 200–400 per panel, cheaper than a full respray and far less ugly than staring at that scuff forever. Avoid magic erasers and hero-level rubbing—clear coat isn’t infinite and you can burn through it quicker than a sausage sizzle sells out.