After testing a number of formulas and plenty of research, we found that the best car scratch remover is the Farecla G3 Pro, which can be applied by hand to permanently remove scratches. However, if you would prefer to use a complete kit to remove scratches on your car, the Meguiar’s Scratch X is the best alternative.
As well as testing, we also based the recommendations within this article upon a number of factors. The factors that we considered included their ease of application, compatible surfaces, finish left behind and value for money.
Best Car Scratch Remover Overview
- Best Overall: Farecla G3 Pro
- Best Budget: T-Cut Rapid
- Best For Deep Scratches: Meguiar’s Eraser Kit
- Best Complete Kit: Autoglym Kit
- Best Compound: Farecla G3 Advanced
- Best For Light Scratches: Chemical Guys VSS
In terms of the ability of most car scratch removers, they are only suitable for minor scratches of any length. If you run your fingernail over the scratch and it catches, you won’t be able to completely remove it but only lessen its appearance.
Unlike standard car polishes, scratch removers are more abrasive and target defects such as light scratches, paint transfer and swirl marks in the paintwork.
Below is a list of the best car scratch removers that permanently remove scratches from painted surfaces with ease.
The Best Scratch Removers For Cars
1. Best Overall: Farecla G3 Pro Permanent Scratch Remover
By far the most popular car scratch remover in the UK is the G3 Pro 7164 and for good reason too. Not only is it one of the cheapest options on the market but it’s also produced by the highly reputable Farecla brand, who are well-known for their professional grade detailing products.
Unlike many of the other formulas produced by Farecla, this car scratch remover can be applied by hand to the scratched surface. They recommend using a waffle pad with a straight back and forth motion to evenly apply the product.
- Safe and effective on all paint surfaces
- Easy to apply by hand
- Advanced abrasive technology
- Available as a liquid or paste formula
- Only suitable for mid to light scratches
Considering the low cost of the Farecla G3 Pro, it offers outstanding value for the money and it won’t disappoint. The formula effortlessly removes light scratches and other defects and is suitable for all paint types and colours.
2. Best Budget: T-Cut Rapid Scratch Remover
T-Cut is an old-school detailing brand that’s been around since 1954 and they are well-known for their effective products. A great example of this is their new and improved scratch remover, which is highly rated in the UK and is best used for light scratches, swirls or paint transfer.
Compared to the original restorer, this scratch remover has been developed especially for modern paint finishes. It also leaves a high gloss finish and doesn’t require a car wax over the treated area once the scratch has been removed.
- New and improved formula
- Universal product for all paint colours
- Leaves a high gloss finish
- Suitable for light scratches, swirls and paint transfer
- Application by hand using a damp cloth
- Leaves no harmful residue
- Requires a lot of the product to be worked into the scratch
Overall, the T-Cut Rapid Scratch Remover is a highly rated formula that provides great results each and every time. It’s an excellent all-round option that’s safe to use and ideal for a wide range of defects.
3. Best For Deep Scratches: Meguiar’s Scratch Removal Kit
The Scratch X formula by Meguiar’s is another popular car scratch remover that’s safe to use on all paint finishes. The formula permanently removes scratches and it comes as part of a complete kit, which includes a 4 inch applicator pad and a microfiber towel for removing any residue left behind.
In terms of the application, the provided pad is designed to be attached to a household drill, which is then used to work the product into the scratched surface.
- Advanced microscopic abrasives to tackle deep scratches
- Leaves a high gloss finish
- Permanently removes scratches
- Supplied with applicator pad and microfiber towel
- Safe to use on all glossy paints or clear coats
- Relatively expensive when compared to other scratch removers
Although expensive, the Meguair’s Scratch-X is a highly effective formula, which is made easy to apply using the provided applicator pad and microfiber towel in the kit.
4. Best Complete Kit: Autoglym Car Scratch Remover Kit
Another car scratch remover that comes as a kit is by the popular Autoglym brand and included is a scratch remover, super resin polish, applicator and finishing cloth. According to the brand, it has been specifically blended to combine the appropriate level of cut and gloss to restore the paintwork to a “like-new” finish.
- Kit comes with a scratch remover, polish, applicator and cloth
- Suitable for all paint finishes and colours
- Permanently removes scratches
- Leaves a like-new finish
- Actual product for removing scratches is only 100ml (you may use it quickly)
The only drawback with this kit is that the car scratch remover only comes in a 100 ml bottle, which may not be enough for large scratches. However, for tackling small scratches, it’s a permanent solution that leaves a great finish.
5. Best Compound: Farecla G3 Advanced Liquid Compound
Another formula produced by the reputable Farecla brand is the Advanced Liquid Compound. It’s designed to remove minor scratches or swirls to the whole car with the use of a car polishing machine for the best results.
In terms of its cutting abilities, the brand states that it easily removes markings of 1,500 or finer. This allows you to tackle most scratches and defects on the paintwork with ease.
- Permanent finish
- Removes P1500 or finer grit marks
- Requires a car polishing machine for the best results
- Suitable for fresh or cured paintwork
- Available as a paste or liquid
- Requires the most effort to apply using a machine
For tackling minor scratches and restoring older paintwork, the Farecla G3 is perfect. However, if you only intend to remove scratches and not apply the formula to the whole car, the alternative G3 Pro may be a better option.
6. Best For Light Scratches: Chemical Guys Scratch and Swirl Remover
The Chemical Guys Scratch and Swirl Remover does exactly what it says on the bottle. It’s designed to remove scratches, over-spray, holograms and a wide range of other defects that standout upon the paintwork.
Although you are able to apply this product by hand, it’s advised to use a polisher for more effective results.
- Silicone and wax free formula
- Hand or polisher application
- Removes a wide range of defects
- Single step solution
- Relatively expensive when compared to similar products to remove scratches
Overall, the Chemical Guys Scratch and Swirl Remover is an easy to use formula that provides great results with ease. Not only does it restore the paintwork but it also produces a deep shine to all types of paint surfaces.
How We Tested & Rated The Car Scratch Removers
In order to test the effectiveness of the car scratch removers, we tested the most popular formulas upon light to deep scratches. Below are before and after photos from using the Farecla G3 Pro, which was achieved in just a single application. From the photos you can see the main scratch as well as the minor scratches have all been removed.
As well as testing multiple car scratch removers, we also based our recommendations upon a number of factors. The factors that we considered included their ease of application, compatible surfaces, finish left behind and value for money.
Conclusion
Finding multiple scratches on your car isn’t the best way to start your day. However, most light scratches of any length can be permanently removed using one of the car scratch removers recommended above.
It’s important to note that the products above are only suitable for minor scratches. If you run your fingernail across the scratch and it gets caught up in the scratch, the products within this article won’t be able to remove the scratches. Instead, you may need to visit a body shop or a smart repair specialist who will sand down the defect, use a body filler and then paint over it.
