Auto body repair & detailing: Touchup, scratches, scratch remover

Question
What do dealerships do to cover up scratches to make cars more desirable? I have a gray Elantra I got a year or two ago and never bumped into anything and scratches have gradually appeared. Also how can cars be affordably be patched up with coloring to make it look better? A whole new paint job would cost half the value of the car (at the time of buying).

Answer
Hi James,

If you're dealing with basically clearcoat scratches you can polish those out with a fine polish and soft buffing pad. If you have scratches that are deep they may not polish out and will require touch-up paint. You can tell the difference by running your fingernail over the scratch, as a general rule if your nail catches on the scratch it will require touch-up paint. If it doesn't you should be able to polish the scratch out. Again this is a general rule and may not apply to all paint finishes.   

There are also some colored waxes on the market that are designed to fill in the scratch and make it invisible. I personally have not had success in using this type product.

Here are some links to different products that I have used and have worked for me:

For Cured Clear-coat:
http://www.repaintsupply.com/mothers-08408-scratch-remover-p4826.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/mothers-08612-rubbing-compound-p4825.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/mothers-08712-finishing-polish-p4824.html

For New Clear-coat:
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-36058-perfect-it-ex-rubbing-compound-p4793.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-39060-perfect-it-rubbing-compound-pint-p1133.htm
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-39061-perfect-it-machine-polish-p1132.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-39062-perfect-it-ultrafine-machine-polish-p1131.

Buffing / Polishing Pads:
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-05737-perfect-it-foam-compounding-pad-p437.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-05738-perfect-it-foam-polishing-pad-p438.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-05733-perfect-it-ultrafine-foam-polishing-pad-p1

Touch-Up Bottles: http://www.repaintsupply.com/manufacturers/dupli-color/scratch-fix-2-in-1-c160/
Touch-Up Aerosols: http://www.repaintsupply.com/touch-up-paint-c332/

Sand Paper for removing light scratches:
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-02045-2500-grit-wet-or-dry-sandpaper-p354.html
http://www.repaintsupply.com/3m-32044-2000-grit-wet-or-dry-sandpaper-p396.html