How to Remove Scuff Marks from Car in 9 Easy Steps

Need to know how to remove scuff marks from your car? Follow these 9 easy steps:

1. Wash and dry the scuffed area
2. Tape adjacent non-painted plastics with painters tape (as needed)
3. Apply solvent to a Magic Eraser, applicator pad, or microfiber towel
4. Rub the area until the scuff marks are gone
5. Rewash and dry the area
6. Clay bar the area (optional)
7. Apply touch-up paint (optional)
8. Apply polishing compound (optional)
9. Apply a car wax

Tools & Products Needed

• Bucket of soap & water
• Wash mitt
• 3 Microfiber towels (for drying, polishing, waxing)
• Magic Eraser
• 3 Microfiber applicator pads (for solvent, polishing compound, wax)
• Solvent (you might not need all three. Start with WD-40®)
  • WD-40®
  • Citrol®
  • Goof Off®
• Polishing compound or scratch remover
• Car wax

Optional Tools & Products

• Clay bar kit
• Touch up paint (exact color match only. Paint code is in driver’s side door jam)
• Dual action polisher

This method is used by professional detailers. This is also the method that I use to remove scuffs from my personal vehicles.

9 Easy Steps to Remove Scuff Marks from a Car

Step 1: Wash and dry the scuffed area

Before removing the scuff, clean the area thoroughly with warm soapy water and a wash mitt. Once the area is clean, dry with a microfiber towel.

The purpose of this step is to avoid scratching the paint from dirt on the surface.

Step 2: Tape adjacent non-painted plastics with painters tape

Protect non-painted plastic surfaces from solvents by covering them with painter’s tape. Painters tape is safe to use on your vehicle and will not damage the surface or leave a residue. If there are no adjacent non-painted plastic surfaces, skip this step.

Do not leave painters tape on your vehicle for weeks or months.

Step 3: Apply solvent to a Magic Eraser, microfiber applicator pad, or microfiber towel

There are 3 solvents that have proven to be safe and effective at removing scuff marks from cars. Those are:

• WD-40®: contains 50-60% mineral oil, which softens the scuff mark. Most vehicle scuff marks come from the paint of another vehicle, or a garage. Once softened, the scuff is easier to remove.
• Citrol®: is a citrus based, bio-degradable, heavy duty degreaser.
• Goof Off®: contains both acetone and xylene. Both of these chemicals are used as paint thinners.

Warning: Improper use of these chemicals can cause damage the paint on your vehicle. Use sparingly and do not leave these solvents on the paint of your car for very long. Wipe on, and wipe off quickly.

I’ve listed these solvents in order of their strength. Try WD-40® first. If that works, move on to the next step. If the scuff remains, apply Citrol®. If that doesn’t work, use Goof Off®. In my experience, the WD-40® works great.

Apply the solvent to a magic eraser. If you don’t have a magic eraser you can use a microfiber applicator pad or microfiber towel.

Magic Erasers are melamine foam that has undergone heat treatment for increased durability. Melamine foam is abrasive and removes paint transfer from the surface of your clear coat. Do not rub too hard or too long as it’s possible to wear through the clear coat.

Step 4: Rub the area until the scuff marks are gone

With solvent on the Magic Eraser, rub the scuffed area. Do not push too hard. Rub in the direction of the scuff.

If you see the color of your car on the Magic Eraser, stop. This means you are removing your car’s paint.

Continue to rub until the scuff marks are gone.

Step 5: Rewash and dry the area

Using soapy water and a wash mitt, wash the area thoroughly. The purpose of this step is to remove any left over solvent.

Once the area is clean, dry with a microfiber towel.

Step 6: Clay bar the area

This is an optional step. A clay bar pulls contaminants out of the surface of your car’s paint. To do this, spray the area with the lubricant that comes in your clay bar kit. Rub the area thoroughly with the clay. You’ll know you’re done when the paint is smooth to the touch.

Step 7: Apply touch-up paint

This is an optional step. After the paint transfer has been removed, you might see that the paint underneath is scratched. For deep scratches, use touch-up paint.

Only use touch-up paint that is an exact match to the paint on your vehicle. You can find the color code or name on an information plate in the driver’s side door jam.

You can buy touch up paint with exact colors at dealerships, online, or at local auto parts stores.

Apply touch-up paint as needed. Let dry.

Step 8: Apply polishing compound

This is an optional step. Remove light scratches with polishing compound or scratch remover. You can use a microfiber applicator pad, or if you have one, an electric dual action polisher.

Apply the polishing compound and buff away scratches.

Step 9: Apply a car wax

The solvents, washing, scrubbing, and polishing strip any protective layer away. To restore a protective layer to your paint, apply car wax with a microfiber applicator pad. Buff away.

You’re done.

Warnings and Things to Avoid

• Always clean the area before attempting to remove a scuff mark. Skipping this step could result in new scratches to the paint of your car.
• Do not allow any of the solvents to stay on your paint for very long. Apply, rub the scuff off, and wash the solvent away quickly.
• When using rubbing or polishing compound, do not rub too hard for too long. These compounds are abrasive and improper use can damage your paint.
• Do not rub too hard for too long with a magic eraser. Magic erasers are made of an abrasive foam called melamine. If you see the color of your paint on the magic eraser, stop.
• Only use the solvents on vehicles that have a clear coat (2 stage paint). This is most vehicles. If your vehicle does not have a clear coat (1 stage paint), do not use solvents.

FAQs

Can toothpaste remove scuff marks from car paint?

Yes. Toothpaste is ~50% abrasives including aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydrogen phosphates, calcium carbonate, silica and hydroxyapatite. These abrasives can help remove scuff marks from car paint. However, toothpaste, is not as effective as a solvent when removing scuff marks from car paint.

Is toothpaste safe to use on car paint?

Yes. Toothpaste, when used properly, is safe to use on car paint. Don’t scrub too hard for too long. Don’t leave toothpaste on the surface of your paint for an extended period of time. Use it, then wash it off. If you see the color of your paint on the applicator pad, stop.

Is WD-40® safe to use on car paint?

Yes. WD-40®, when used properly, is safe to use on car paint. The main ingredient in WD-40® is mineral oil (isoparaffin). Mineral oil is a solvent that is safe to use on your car’s paint. WD-40® is not abrasive. Don’t allow WD-40® to sit on your paint for extended periods of time. Use it while removing the paint scuff, then wash it off.

Is Acetone safe to use on car paint?

Yes. Acetone, when used properly, is safe to use on car paint. Acetone can damage your paint if not washed away quickly. Acetone is a solvent for many plastics and some synthetic fibers. If you leave acetone on your car paint, it will eat away at it. If you use it sparingly and quickly wash it off, you’re good. Test a small, non-visible area of your paint to make sure it won’t damage your paint.

Is Goof Off® safe to use on car paint?

Yes. The main base ingredient of Goof Off® is acetone. Goof Off® (and acetone) are safe to use on your car paint when used properly. You should never leave Goof Off® on your car’s paint for extended periods of time as it will eat away at it. Use it sparingly while removing the scuff marks from your car, then wash it away quickly. If at any time you see the color of your car coming off onto your cloth, stop and wash.

Is Citrol® safe to use on car paint?

Yes. Citrol® is safe to use on car paint when used properly. Citrol® is made with citrus-based solvents and a surfactant-emulsifier. As with other solvents, don’t leave Citrol® on your car paint for extended periods of time. Use it while you’re removing the scuff marks from your car, then wash it off quickly.

How do I remove black scuff marks?

Black scuff marks can be black paint or plastic. In both cases, follow the steps found in this guide. The recommended solvents are effective with both paint and plastic scuffs.

What home remedies remove scuff marks from cars?

The following home remedies can be effective in removing scuff marks from car paint:

• Toothpaste
• Baking soda and water: make a paste
• Nail polish remover: contains acetone or ethyl acetate. Use sparingly and don’t allow them to be on your car paint for very long. Use to remove scuff and wash away quickly. Ethyl acetate is safer on car paint than acetone.

Summary

Remove scuff marks from your car by:

-Washing the area
-Removing the scuff with a solvent
-Re-washing the area
-Apply car wax

Home remedies such as toothpaste, baking soda paste, and nail polish remover can remove scuffs. However, these home remedies are not as effective as the recommended solvents.

Fix deep scratches with touch up paint. Fix light scratches with polishing compound.

For best results, clay bar the area to remove contaminants embedded in the paint.

Applying car wax at the end replaces the protective layer that was stripped away during the scuff removal process.

Don’t leave solvents on the surface of you car’s paint for extended periods of time. This can damage the paint. Use them quickly and wash away.

Don’t scrub your car’s paint too hard for too long with anything abrasive. It is possible to wear through the clear coat and expose raw paint.

What’s Next?

Now that the scuff marks are gone, improve another area of your vehicle. Explore our other detailing guides.