Clear coat repair guides

Honest answers on scratches, faded paint and oxidation — including when a home fix will not work.

• Scratches

  How to Fix Clear Coat Scratches at Home: The Fingernail Test

  Find out in 5 seconds whether a car scratch is only in the clear coat and can be fixed at home, or needs a body shop. The fingernail test, why light scratches look white, a full step-by-step repair and honest limits.

  6 min read →

• Scratches

  Faded Bumpers and Black Trim: How to Restore Them

  Why plastic bumpers and black trim turn grey, how to tell painted bumpers from bare plastic, how to fix bumper scratches and when a bumper needs replacing.

  3 min read →