Guides | PlentyTorque UK

A scuff on the school run or a careless trolley in the supermarket car park can leave a scratch that ruins an otherwise tidy car. The good news is that most light marks can be sorted at home with a bit of patience and the right products. This guide walks you through judging scratch depth, choosing a compound, and using a touch-up pen properly.

How deep is the scratch?

Before you reach for anything abrasive, work out how serious the damage is. UK car paint is built up in layers: primer, base colour coat, and a clear lacquer on top. Knowing which layer is affected tells you whether you can polish it out or whether you'll need paint.

• Clear-coat scratches are the easiest. Run a fingernail across the mark — if it doesn't catch, it's only in the lacquer and will usually polish out.
• Base-coat scratches reach the colour. Your nail catches slightly and you may see a faint colour difference. These need a touch-up pen or paint.
• Primer or metal scratches are deep — you'll see grey primer or bare metal. Treat these promptly, as exposed steel will rust.

What you'll need

• Car shampoo, water and a clean bucket
• Microfibre towels for cleaning and buffing
• A cutting compound or scratch remover
• A quality car polish or wax to seal and protect afterwards
• A colour-matched touch-up pen or paint for deeper marks
• Masking tape, fine wet-and-dry paper (2000–3000 grit) for deeper repairs

Step 1: Clean the area first

Never rub a dry, dirty panel — grit will add fresh scratches. Wash the area, rinse and dry it with a microfibre cloth. A clean surface lets you see exactly how bad the scratch really is.

Step 2: Polish out light scratches

For clear-coat marks, apply a small amount of cutting compound to a damp microfibre or foam pad. Work it into the scratch using firm, overlapping circular motions for 30–60 seconds, then buff off the residue. Repeat if needed. The compound gently levels the lacquer around the scratch so it blends in. Finish with a coat of wax or polish to restore the shine and protect the area. You'll find compounds, pads and protective products in our paint and refinishing supplies range.

Step 3: Using a touch-up pen

For scratches that reach the colour coat, a touch-up pen is your friend. Getting a good colour match is essential — find your car's paint code, usually on a sticker in the door shut, under the bonnet or in the service book. Then:

• Clean and fully dry the scratch.
• Shake the pen well and test the colour on a hidden spot.
• Apply thin coats into the scratch only, letting each dry for 20–30 minutes.
• Build up the paint just below the surrounding surface — don't overfill.
• Once cured (ideally 24 hours), gently level any high spots with 2000-grit wet paper, then polish.

For deeper damage showing primer or metal, treat any rust first, prime, then build up colour. It's slower but stops corrosion spreading.

Tips for a tidy finish

• Work in the shade — direct sun makes products flash off too quickly.
• Less is more with both compound and paint; thin layers always look better.
• Mask surrounding trim and rubber to keep them clean.
• Be patient between coats — rushing is the most common reason repairs look obvious.

When to call a bodyshop

Large dents, cracked panels or scratches across multiple panels are usually best left to a professional for a seamless blend. But for everyday stone chips and trolley scuffs, a careful DIY repair saves a fair bit of money and keeps your paintwork protected.

Struggling to find a matched paint or specific refinishing product for an older or unusual model? Use our request-a-part service and we'll help track down what you need, including hard-to-find classic finishes.

Frequently asked questions

Can toothpaste really remove car scratches?

Toothpaste contains very mild abrasives and can slightly reduce shallow clear-coat marks, but a proper cutting compound is far more effective and less hit-and-miss for a lasting result.

Where do I find my car's paint code in the UK?

Look on a sticker inside a door shut, under the bonnet, in the boot or in the service handbook. The code ensures your touch-up pen matches the original factory colour.

Do I need to wax after touching up a scratch?

Yes. A coat of wax or polish seals the repair, protects bare or freshly painted areas, and helps the repaired patch blend in with the surrounding paintwork.