How to fix a paint scratch on someone else's car without a shop
Minor scratches on someone else's car can force a choice between expensive professional repairs or a costly insurance claim. Fixing it yourself avoids these costs, but lacking experience makes it difficult to know the right DIY approach without making the damage worse.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using WD-40 on a ragDid this help you?
- 2Using a wadding polish like Never Dull or a rubbing compoundDid this help you?
- 3Using Meguiar's scratch xDid this help you?
- 4Buying a replacement mirror cap from the dealerDid this help you?
- 5Using wax to buff out the scratchDid this help you?
- 6Visiting a detailing shop for paint correction instead of filing an insurance claimDid this help you?
- 7Denying responsibility or walking away from the incidentDid this help you?
- 8Try polishing the scratch to see if it improves the appearance.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Someone did a hit and run so I was wondering if a polish can remove it”source ↗
“I told the owner, he told me to fix it myself or pay for a shop visit. I’m trying to fix it myself but don’t know how”source ↗
“Put a tiny scratch on a car, but ignoring isn’t an option as it’s not my car. Any recommendations other than taking it to a shop?”source ↗
“I opened my car door and hit this tesla and that's the scratch it left. He wanted my insurance information. Idk if this is something he can put in an insurance claim. Am I fucked?”source ↗