Before you unleash toothpaste on your paint, figure out the scratch: if your nail doesn’t catch, it’s likely just clear coat; if it does, it’s deeper.
Wash and dry the area, then try a fine polish/scratch remover on a microfiber cloth—light pressure, small circles, 60–90 seconds, then wipe and repeat.
For slightly deeper marks, use a touch‑up paint matched to your paint code, let it cure, and finish with a gentle polish to blend.
Gouges you can feel from space? That’s wetsand (2000–3000 grit) territory and best left to a pro—DIY can turn a scratch into modern art you didn’t ask for.
Seal your hard work with a wax or sealant so the Aussie sun doesn’t have another go.
If the panel’s beyond redemption, a mobile repairer can sort it for a couple of hundred AUD, which is cheaper than staring at it forever.
Handyman
Handyman
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