(iStock)
Nothing says “holidays” like a scratch-repair kit—at least if you’re unfortunate enough to pick up some new door scrapes while out shopping. The key to success is to choose the right scratch remover, because our tests have found that some work much better than others, and some don’t work at all.
We tested several liquid products, including Mother’s California Gold Scratch Remover ($8), Nu Finish Scratch Doctor ($10), Quixx High Performance Scratch Remover ($15), and Turtle Wax Scratch and Swirl Remover ($6).
All were easy enough to use. You just apply and buff them out, much like you would with a car wax but with a little more rubbing. And all were effective at removing the fine scratches or swirls, or hazing, like you might get at the car wash.
For deeper scratches, including anything you can feel with a fingernail, only the Quixx performed well. And even Quixx won’t help with larger damage. For deep scratches, dings, or dents, plan on paying a visit to the auto-body shop after the holidays. Unfortunately, those kind of repairs can run to hundreds of dollars fast.
More From Consumer Reports
As for those scratch-repair pens you might have seen in department stores or on TV, don’t even bother. We’ve tested several, including the DuPont Pro Fusion Color, the Simoniz Fix It Pro, and the Turtle Wax Scratch Repair Pen. All cost $10 or less. But none of those tested products was worth the trouble.
Our advice is to skip these quick fixes for minor abrasions and try a cleaning polish instead. For deeper scratches, a visit to the body shop might be your best bet.
—Jim Travers
Visit our Holiday Gift Ideas page throughout the season to find the best deals, time-saving advice, and much more.
Copyright © 2005-2014 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission. Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this site.