How to remove scratches on a car body

Removing scratches on a car body without painting

To remove scratches from a car body, not in all cases the damaged areas of the paintwork need to be repainted. Often, shallow scratches can be removed without painting the car body. After all, anything can happen on the roads, and often even professional drivers are faced with the problem of various kinds of scratches appearing on the body.

The reason for their appearance is not always the level of driving skills. Scratches on the car body can be the result of careless driving by other road users. Also, the causes of scratches can be branches and tall dry grass on country roads, or aggressive dust and stones from the roadsides.

For information on the effectiveness of various methods for removing scratches without painting a car, watch the video at the end of this article.

In any case, regardless of the reasons for their appearance, scratches on the car body must be removed. However, in such situations it is not always worth turning to expensive specialists for help, since in many cases you can cope with the problem yourself.

How to remove scratches on a car body

Before removing scratches from the car body, you should first wash the car thoroughly (instructions on how to properly wash a car).

Then, on a cleaned body, it will be possible to assess the degree of damage to the paintwork (abbreviated as paintwork) and the depth of the scratches, and then determine how to remove them.

Based on the depth and size of scratches on the car body, the following options for removing them are possible:

Removing scratches and small chips by polishing the body (manually or using a polishing machine);
Shallow scratches of the varnish coating and other minor damage are removed using a restoration pencil (for example, Fix it Pro), colored wax or nanocompositions such as RENUMAX;
Serious damage to paintwork, such as deep scratches down to “living” metal, is almost impossible to remove without painting. In such cases, you will have to spend a lot of money on touch-up paint.

Let's look at each of the methods for removing scratches from a car body in more detail and weigh their pros and cons.

Removing scratches on a car body by polishing

Polishing is one of the most effective ways to remove scratches on a car body without painting. Depending on the depth and area of damage to the paintwork, scratches can be polished manually or using a polishing machine.

The body is manually polished with a soft cloth using polish, which can be purchased at any auto shop. You just need to follow the instructions, which are usually found on the back of the polish bottle, to relatively quickly remove minor scratches from the car body.
It is a completely different matter to remove scratches by polishing the body using a polishing machine. In this case, you cannot do without special knowledge and equipment.

Car body polishing can be either protective or abrasive:

With protective polishing you give your car shine and shine, while eliminating minor scratches on the car body;
By abrasive polishing using polishing pastes, you can remove not only scratches, but also chips, abrasions and other not very serious damage to the paintwork that can be removed without painting the car.

Since the second method of polishing is quite labor-intensive and requires some skill, we recommend that you read our instructions for polishing a car body with your own hands.

Removing scratches on the body with a Fix it Pro pencil

If there is only superficial damage to the varnish coating, then there is an excellent way to remove such scratches that does not require specific skills and can be done by any amateur - this is a special pencil for removing scratches Fix it Pro.

After just a few uses, the Fix it Pro pencil will not leave any traces of scratches on the surface of the body. The main advantages of the Fix it Pro pencil are:

Simplicity and ease of use;
It matches any car color;
Almost instantly removes small scratches and chips;
Fix it Pro can be used multiple times;
A very affordable price and an opportunity to save on a visit to a car service center.

However, in fairness, it is worth noting that small scratches can be easily removed not only with a pencil. According to “experienced” motorists, RENUMAX compositions cope more effectively with scratches and other minor damage to a car’s paintwork.

And given the low cost and ease of use, RENUMAX can confidently be called one of the most popular means for removing scratches on a car body without painting.

But still, miracles do not happen and you should remember that both the Fix it Pro pencil and the RENUMAX product will help restore ONLY the varnish coating of the car, and not the paint.

Tips for removing scratches with partial body touch-up

If there is deep and extensive damage to the paintwork, it would be more advisable to remove scratches on the car body using paint and varnish. They are available at retail in small bottles and are designed specifically for local correction.

But in addition to some labor-intensiveness of this process, you will also need to work hard on selecting the desired color and shade of paint (see the video below).

In cases of significant damage to the paintwork, which has reached the “living” metal, before removing scratches from the car body, you need to treat the damaged surface with a rust converter or apply a protective zinc coating (for details, see the article on rust removal) - this will prevent subsequent corrosion of the metal. Only after this operation has been completed will it be possible to use paint and varnish.

If, due to the degree of damage to the paintwork, you need to use putty, do not neglect this procedure. It is advisable to entrust all complex work to qualified specialists who will competently carry out restoration work and help achieve an impeccable result.

However, if you have “straight” hands and some experience, you can independently remove almost any scratches from the car body (both without painting and with touch-up of the damaged areas). It is worth taking into account that all work must be carried out in a clean, dry and warm room with sufficient lighting. Before starting touch-up painting, it is advisable to warm up the car body.

Well, if things are really bad, then we highly recommend that you read the detailed instructions for painting a car yourself.

Video: ways to remove scratches on a car body without painting

Ways to remove scratches on a car body

Minor scratches are the most common damage to a car body. Small stones, branches of trees and bushes, as well as other unforeseen factors can spoil the appearance of the iron horse, and at the same time the mood of its owner. As an option, you can contact a car service center and return the car to a flawless surface for a certain cost. But if you have some knowledge and skill, eliminating defects on your own using specialized tools will bring results no worse than those of professionals.

Features of removing scratches from a car body

Before starting restoration, you should pay attention to the depth of damage to the car - small scratches in the paintwork, defects down to the ground level, or serious damage down to the metal layer. In the latter case, you should begin processing the machine immediately, otherwise the corrosion process may soon begin.

Mild to moderate damage does not require too much effort to repair. But to remove deep scratches from the car body, you will need thorough anti-corrosion treatment. If areas with defects occupy no more than a third of the surface of the machine, only local treatment will be required.

Removing light scratches from car body

Very small chips and scratches can be easily removed with regular polishing. Slightly more significant - using restorative abrasive polishes. The product is applied to a dried, clean surface using vigorous movements in a circle, or with a special polishing machine.

Attention! During the process, you need to make sure that the composition does not dry out ahead of time, otherwise it itself may cause additional scratches. After polishing is completed, a protective polish or wax should be applied to the car body.

Among the effective means suitable for removing minor defects from the surface of a car, it is worth noting “Anti-risk”. It not only brings the car into proper shape, but also fights stains that form when interacting with ultraviolet light, road salt and other reagents.

Anti-scratch product for eliminating small and medium scratches

Anti-scratch product is excellent for cost-effective repair of damage to the paint surface of a car. Despite the fact that car service professionals do not have the most flattering opinions about it, many car enthusiasts prefer it to combat simple defects. The mechanism for using this tool is extremely simple:

Thoroughly clean the car of dirt and allow it to dry completely.
Squeeze the product onto a damp cloth and gently wipe the areas with imperfections. Don't rub too hard, otherwise it will get worse.
Wait 1-1.5 minutes until the “Anti-scratch” dries completely.
Polish until shiny.

The drug "Anti-scratch" is presented in the form of a paste. Its amount when used depends on the depth and area of the damaged surface.

Important! This product does not remove, but only masks small scratches, making them almost invisible to the eye.

To achieve the best result, it is recommended to additionally apply liquid wax after applying the masking paste. All manipulations with wax are similar to those done with Anti-Scratch. It is recommended to carry out work to eliminate minor scratches in warm weather, but not in direct sunlight.

According to general reviews, “Anti-scratch” is a fairly effective and very inexpensive remedy for combating scratches on a car body. However, in case of serious damage, it is practically ineffective and is not even able to visually remove defects. In such situations, it is worth paying attention to more powerful and effective means.

Touch-up pencil for removing scratches from car body

If the surface of the car is damaged down to the ground, then it is best to correct this with the help of special correctors and pencils. They can be gel or wax. The first variety is present on the car market in a wide range of colors. The differences between these pencils are as follows:

wax pencil - paints over the scratch, the remaining wax is removed with a microfiber cloth. It is low cost, easy to use, and the entire procedure takes a few minutes. However, the result of the wax pencil is short-lived, and painting has to be repeated again and again;
gel pencil (corrector) - fills a chip or scratch with its contents, after which it hardens and becomes completely invisible. The result lasts for a long time. This corrector is a tube or felt-tip pen with acrylic filler in a wide variety of shades. Thus, any car enthusiast can choose the color that best matches his car;

Note! Any set of car pencils comes with a brush. But for more precise application of the masking agent, it is recommended to use a toothpick. With this simple method you can remove a scratch with pinpoint precision.

Painting a car when removing deep scratches

Deep damage to the paint surface of a car cannot be removed without using paint. If you leave everything to chance, then areas with defects will begin to rust, and this will require thorough anti-corrosion treatment with a considerable investment of money and waste of time resources.

The stages of processing deep scratches using painting are as follows:

Surface preparation, removal of dirt and rusty areas using P1500 and P2000 sandpaper. The procedure should be carried out carefully, since the more material is erased, the more intensively you will have to paint over it. If a dent is found under a scratch, it must be filled with putty.
Applying primer with a brush or spray.
Sanding with added water.
Application of degreasing composition.
Painting the required areas. The paint must be applied in 2 layers, with an interval of at least 30 minutes between the first and second. At the end of the procedure, varnish should be applied to the updated car.

General rules for carrying out scratch removal work

Any work on the restoration of the car body must be carried out in a dry and clean room. If this is not possible, then the weather should be clear and windless without precipitation. Do not allow dust to get on the treated surfaces of the machine - this will negate all efforts.

Defective areas with scratches and chips must be ideally prepared for further procedures - clean, dry and completely free of grease. For these purposes, it is good to use white alcohol or gasoline.

Before using any chemical product, it is strongly recommended that you carefully read the instructions and strictly follow all the rules set out in it.

By following these effective tips and rules, you will no longer wonder how to quickly and efficiently remove scratches from your car body. In practice, they are not at all difficult to perform and, in addition, save money.

How to remove minor scratches on a car: from WD-40 to toothpaste

On modern cars the layer of varnish and paint is quite thin. It is easy to scratch, and this creates certain problems for owners. Many of them are interested in how to remove minor scratches on a car in accessible and inexpensive ways, and, preferably, on their own.

Before you get rid of such damage on the vehicle body with your own hands, it is worth considering that the methods listed are only suitable for minor scratches. Budget funds will not be able to eliminate deep chips. To restore the paintwork in this case, you will need the services of a car service.

Removing minor scratches on a car using brake fluid

Brake fluid tends to soften car paint. This feature of the composition allows you to eliminate small but visible damage. To use the product correctly, you must do the following:

Clean the scratched area. If this is not done, the remaining dirt will damage the softened coating and lead to the formation of new abrasions.
Let the surface dry. If there is moisture, the brake fluid will not react with the car's paint.
Apply the compound to a rag and use circular, smooth movements to sort of polish small scratches. The procedure will take less than 10 minutes, but the results will last a long time.
Once all damage has been hidden, rinse the surface again and let it dry.

A simple algorithm will help remove minor scratches

In this simple way, you can easily restore the paintwork to its original appearance.

Using universal WD-40 as a polish

Another substance that can help drivers repair small damage to the car body is WD-40.

WD-40 helps in various situations

The product contains a solvent, which also interacts with the car's coating and actually paints over small scratches.

The main tasks of using the “vedeshka”:

protection of metal from oxidation and moisture;
destruction of rust.

If you plan to use this versatile substance, remember the basic safety precautions:

the product is explosive. In the event of a fire, it will not be possible to extinguish it with water; only a fire extinguisher will help you;
It is advisable to work with the product wearing gloves. When removing scratches, try not to inhale its fumes. You can use a respirator.

The top scratch is deep, but the bottom one will be easy to remove.

To “heal” the car’s wounds, you need to do the following:

Clean the area to be treated from dust and dirt. If there are sharp edges, sand them down with fine-grit sandpaper. This way the damage will be less noticeable.
Apply a small amount of the substance to the scratch and rub it in a circular motion with a rag. The softened paint will stretch to cover the damaged area.
Carefully remove any remaining product from the surface of the car.

The result will be visible within a few minutes.

Toothpaste to fight damage

Using a dental hygiene product can be considered the cheapest, since you only need a few grams of mint composition.

Surprisingly, toothpaste is good for more than just brushing your teeth.

Toothpaste helps to cope with small and shallow damage. It acts exclusively as a soft abrasive and allows you to eliminate minor abrasions of the topmost layer of coating, that is, the varnish.

In order to remove visible scuffs from your car with your own hands using this method, you will need:

a tube of toothpaste;
clean toothbrush;
water;
alcohol.

Before you start, do the following:

Wash and degrease the desired area of the body with alcohol.
Apply toothpaste and brush, smoothly and effortlessly, rub in the abrasive. Do not skimp on the hygiene product: if you see that the amount applied does not cope with the task, then add more.

After 10-15 minutes the result will be noticeable. At the end of the work, remove any remaining substance.

You can, of course, play up the scratches, but it’s better to remove them anyway

This method is absolutely ineffective if the scratch is deeper and has touched the paint layer. It will not be possible to eliminate it in such a cheap way.

If paint has been touched, don't waste time polishing the area with paste. Use brake fluid or all-purpose WD -40.

What handy things can speed up the car processing process?

If you want to repair damage quickly and efficiently, prepare:

polishing machine;
a special polish for vehicles, sold in all automotive stores.

Using them, you can independently remove minor scratches from the body, as well as small chips, abrasions and other not very serious damage, without resorting to painting the vehicle. This option will be more expensive in terms of financial costs than using improvised compounds.

Conclusion

Many problems with personal transport can be solved independently. When wondering how to remove minor scratches on a car, do not rush to immediately run to a car service center. See if you have some brake fluid, WD-40 rust remover, or a tube of toothpaste. After all, these are the things that can help you cope with body damage.

Removing scratches on a car body without painting yourself

The content of the article:
1. How to remove shallow scratches from a car’s paintwork yourself
2. Polish, liquid glass or pencil to remove scratches?
3. What are the ways to remove deep scratches from the body?
4. Review of the imported product Renumax - for masking body scratches
5. Advantages and disadvantages of the Renumax restorative composition
6. Reviews of Renumax and conclusions from a specialist

Car owners know that no one is immune from scratches on the car body. This problem can appear at any moment - even a pebble accidentally flying off from under the wheels of an oncoming car can leave a deep mark on the paintwork.

In this article we will look at: how to independently remove (remove), disguise (hide), cover up (seal), or carry out local repairs to the car body without completely painting it.

Depending on the depth of penetration, scratches are:

Small, when only the top layer of varnish is affected. They are noticeable upon careful inspection after washing;
Medium ones penetrate to the primer, stripping off varnish and enamel. This type of scratch is visible on a clean car;
Deep ones reach the metal through varnish, paint, primer. They are visible immediately if the body is not very dirty.

The most common places where defects appear on a car body are: bamber, fender, door, hood.

How to remove shallow scratches from a car body - polish and pencils

Damage to the paintwork must be dealt with at the initial stage to prevent paint swelling and cracks. We offer proven, proven methods for removing small and medium scratches.

Polishing the car body with special pastes

The most common way to get rid of body damage, which is done at car washes, is to polish the car using a polishing machine and specialized products.

Car owners are offered two options to get rid of damage:

If minor damage to the varnish appears in rare places on the paintwork, then polishing with a non-abrasive paste is suitable. It forms an additional protective film on the body paint and fills scratches. Over time, the film is washed off, so the procedure must be repeated regularly;
When the car body is completely covered with small scratches that do not reach the enamel, polishing with various abrasive pastes is suggested. Depending on the size of the damage, a suitable remedy is selected. When processing paintwork using this method, the top layer of varnish is erased and the surface becomes uniform. Frequent use leads to wear off of the varnish and loss of body color saturation.

Turtle Wax Original FG6507 — 350 rub.
LIQUI MOLY 7644 — 420 rub.
Doctor Wax 8307 — 290 rub.

egoIST
I drive a Ford Focus ST
in Moscow

Having received my RENUMAX, I immediately began testing it. I followed the instructions: shook the bottle. Then he carefully applied the product to the surface where the scratch was. I waited a couple of minutes and... Read more

Special liquid polishes based on liquid glass

For self-repair, car owners can use liquid polish. There are two types of this product in auto shops - Teflon and wax or liquid ceramics (glass). The effect of application is the same as when treating the body with non-abrasive pastes.

A protective film is created on the body, and small scratches are filled with wax or Teflon. But unlike specialized polishing with a paste, such polishes wash off faster:

There are enough waxes for a couple of sinks;
Teflon coating protects paintwork for up to 5 washes.

Plus, it’s worth adding weather conditions to the washes, which also have a negative effect on the protective layer.

Willson Silane Guard, 95 ml - from RUB 3,250.
Koch Chemie 1K-Nano - from 4200 rub.
Soft99 Glass Coating H-7 - from 4600 rub.
HKC Ceramic coating 2.2 - from 5900 rub.

Pencils and markers for removing minor scratches from your car

Another panacea for car owners from auto chemical manufacturers is considered to be special products in the form of pencils. Depending on the depth of the damage, remedies are offered on a different basis:

Waxes have the same properties as polishes. But by adding pigment to the marker, manufacturers make pencils for cars in different colors. Therefore, you can choose a wax marker of the desired color and cover the scratch for a month;
Helium. Among them are the Fix It Pro pencils, which are suitable for cars of any color. But it is worth noting that this product is effective only for minor scratches.

For medium and deep damage, kits consisting of gel pencils and enamel are offered.

Scratch FreeFix it Pro - from 250 rub.
CarPlan T-cut - from 350 rub.
Soft99 Kizu Pen - from 370 rub.
Astrochem/Color Wax - from 200 rub.

The procedure for removing deep scratches from a car body

It is natural for car owners to search for alternative ways to deal with paint damage. After all, painting a car body after every scratch and chip at a service station is an expensive and time-consuming process. Of course, it will be much cheaper to do local painting work yourself in order to maintain the integrity of the paintwork yourself. But, in this case, the car owner will need skill and a set of special equipment.

To remove scratches on a car body using the classical method, you will need a set of sandpaper:

The damaged coating is rubbed over with coarse grain at the initial stage, after washing the car;
Fine-grained is required for processing putty;
Use 1200-grit sandpaper to sand the area before painting to ensure a smooth finish.

To uniformly fill the treated area and bring it to the level of the paintwork, the following is required:

Carefully apply automotive putty;
Dry the surface and clean.

After obtaining a uniform surface, it is made smooth. To do this, apply the following to the area treated with putty:

Special primer matching the color of the car body;
Degreaser for tight paint adhesion.

The main step in removing a scratch is the selection of auto enamel. It must match the color of the paintwork on the body of the car being repaired.

The final result of the repair depends on the quality of the materials used and the professionalism of the performer.

How to get rid of scratches with Renumax

Looking at the difficulties associated with removing scratches from a car body without painting, the popularity of the new French paint restoration product Renumax becomes clear. Effectively hides (masks, erases) small defects . The product copes with medium-depth damage, and in emergency cases protects body parts with exposed metal from corrosion.

The product is sold in a convenient small container with a built-in applicator, which makes it convenient and easy to process paintwork on surfaces of any configuration. The convenient design ensures minimal consumption of the product, so a small container lasts for a long time.

Once the owner notices a scratch, he can fix it (hide it) with Renumax. To do this you need:

Clean the damaged area from dirt and preferably degrease it so that the reaction proceeds without interference.
Apply the required amount of gel over the surface, remove excess with a clean napkin.
The reaction takes place within half an hour, after which the treated surface must be polished and the result checked.
Most often, scratches are removed the first time, but if marks remain, the procedure should be repeated.

How to remove scratches on a car with your own hands

Stop tearing your hair out over every scratch. Almost all cosmetic defects can be easily corrected without much expense.

Scratches on your car are inevitable. Whether it's your fault or not, sooner or later they will appear. And although such damage, as they say, does not affect speed, every car owner dreams of getting rid of them at any cost. Especially if the car is new or recently purchased.

Here are the main types of scratches and proven ways to deal with them.

1. How to remove small scratches on varnish

We are talking about small thin scratches, noticeable only from a certain angle and not visible at all on a wet car. Such scratches affect only the very top layer of the paintwork. And the easiest way to remove them is.

Wax polish

You will need a wax polish, which is applied after washing. A thin layer of wax will create a protective coating and fill in scratches. The good thing about this method is that it does not require special equipment or skills. But, as you might guess, such protection does not last long. After some time, the coating will have to be reapplied.

Polishing machine + abrasive paste

A more effective method of removing scratches is polishing with a special machine and fine abrasive paste. This way you can deal with almost any scratches that touched the varnish, but did not reach the paint.

Polishing is usually done by specialists. If you decide to go it alone, you will need:

polishing machine;
fine abrasive paste;
sanding paper P2000;
sprayer with water;
napkins.

Immediately before the procedure, wash the car well with car shampoo and dry. Place the car in the shade or garage so that the body does not heat up in the sun, and scratches and the result of the work are clearly visible.

Treat the damaged area with sandpaper soaked in water and wipe dry.

Apply a little paste to the circle and polish the scratch, gradually increasing the speed. Try not to stay in one place for a long time so as not to overheat the varnish.

Continue polishing, alternating left-right and up-down movements. Treat not only the scratch, but also the area around it. Rinse the polishing area with water often and clean the wheel from plaque.

Polish until the scratch is completely gone.

2. How to remove scratches from paint

If it's not just the varnish that's damaged, regular polishing isn't enough. In this case, the damage can be painted over with a restoration pencil matched to the color of the car.

In appearance and the number of shades, such pencils resemble nail polishes. But they are made from quick-hardening acrylic resins that perfectly fill scratches.

Before painting over a scratch, thoroughly clean and degrease the damaged area. Then carefully paint over it with a brush on the pencil bottle.

Let the paint dry for 15-20 minutes. Complete polymerization occurs in about a week, so it is better not to wash the car during this time.

3. How to remove deep scratches and chips

Paint will help here too. But, unlike the previous method, you will first have to treat the surface with primer, and after applying the paint, varnish and polish.

As a rule, the products necessary to restore scratches and chips that have reached the metal are sold as a set. This is still the same acrylic paint, anti-corrosion and regular primers, as well as a degreaser and clear varnish.

Wash and dry the car. If there is rust on a chip or scratch, clean it with fine sandpaper. Degrease the metal surface and seal the edges of the damage with masking tape.

Treat the surface with anti-corrosion primer and let it dry.

Then apply a coat of regular primer to level the surface and prepare the base for paint.

Apply the first coat of paint. Then, after waiting for complete drying, apply a second one.

After the paint has dried, coat the surface with clear varnish.

4. How to remove scratches on plastic

The interior of the car suffers no less from scratches. The sills, door cards and other plastic parts of the interior are covered with abrasions.

Plastic restorers

You can make the cladding tidy again with the help of plastic restorers.

Such products are sold in the form of aerosols, sprays and milk. They have good penetrating ability and are designed to fill scratches. In addition, the restorers contain a polish that returns the surface to its former freshness.

Instructions for use are on the packaging of the product. As a rule, restorative compounds are applied to dry and cleaned parts and left for a few minutes to dry. After this, using a clean microfiber cloth, the surface is well polished by hand.

Hairdryer or lighter

A simpler and cheaper way to deal with scratches on plastic is to heat it with a hair dryer or, in extreme cases, with a lighter. Under the influence of temperature, damage is literally healed. This life hack will help completely remove small scratches and make deep ones less noticeable.

To remove scratches in this way, you need to very carefully heat the damaged surface, without staying in one place for a long time. If there are a lot of scratches, take breaks so as not to melt the part and burn the upholstery parts adjacent to the plastic.

5. How to remove scratches on glass

One of the most unpleasant types of scratches. Scuffs and cobwebs on the glass not only spoil the appearance, but also impair visibility, creating flare and glare. They can be eliminated by polishing in a specialized service.

However, you can do it on your own.

This method perfectly removes small scratches and abrasions from windshield wiper blades. Deep scratches that cling to the nail will not go away completely, but will smooth out and become smaller. For polishing you will need a special kit, which usually includes a nozzle, wheels and a paste with cerium oxide.

Wash the glass and wipe dry. Use a marker to mark the scratches from the inside to control the treatment area.

Place the attachment on the drill and apply some paste to the circle. At medium speed and without much pressure, polish the scratches in small areas.

Take frequent breaks to avoid overheating the glass. Wet it with water and wipe dry again.

Continue polishing for 30 minutes to 1 hour until the result is acceptable.

6. How to remove scratches on headlights

Scratches on optics are removed using the same principle as on glass. You can try to remove ordinary cloudiness with toothpaste, but it is better to use special polishing kits, which include everything necessary for the procedure.

The sequence of actions is usually indicated in the instructions. Typically you need to do the following:

Wash the headlights and dry them. Cover the adjacent areas of the hood, bumper and fender with masking tape.

Treat the glass with sandpaper dipped in water. Then apply coarse polish to the wheel and polish the glass at medium speed.

Rinse off the abrasive and polish the surface using a fine-grained paste.

Clean the glass and wipe dry, then carefully apply one coat of UV varnish.

Leave the car in the sun for a couple of hours for the varnish to harden. Complete polymerization occurs within 24 hours—the car cannot be washed during this time.