How to get dog scratches out of car paint? (Interior and exterior)

Most dog scratches only mark the clear coat, so you can usually get them out of car paint at home by washing the area, polishing it with a scratch remover or rubbing compound, and finishing with wax. Only scratches your fingernail catches in need light wet sanding first, and scratches down to the primer or metal need touch-up paint or a body shop.

In this blog post, we’ll show 5 steps on how to get dog scratches out of car paint, plus how to fix scratches inside your car.

Remove dog scratches out of car paint in 5 steps

Before we explain the steps, it’s important to note that this does not work for deep scratches that have gone through the paint to the primer or the metal beneath. This process is only meant for scratches in the clear coat, the transparent top layer that protects the colored paint.

To check how deep a scratch is, run your fingernail gently across it. If your nail doesn’t catch, it’s a light clear-coat scratch that polishing alone (Steps 1, 4 and 5) will usually remove. If your nail catches slightly but you still see the car’s color in the scratch, careful wet sanding (Step 3) may help. Another quick check is to spray water over the scratch: if it temporarily disappears, it’s likely a surface scratch.

If you can see white primer or bare metal, the scratch has gone through the paint. In this case, you’ll need touch-up paint or a body shop to repaint the area, and you should fix it soon to prevent rust.

1Step 1 - Clean the scratch

First you need a microfiber towel and a gentle car wash soap. Avoid dish soap and household cleaners, as they can strip wax and dry out the paint.

Spray the soapy water onto the scratch, and then use the microfiber towel to gently wipe it down. Rinse and dry the area so no dirt or grit is left behind that could cause new scratches during the next steps.

2Step 2 - Tape the scratch

Once the scratch is clean, you’ll need to tape off the area around it. This is important because you don’t want to accidentally scratch the surrounding paint while you’re trying to fix the initial scratch.

Use painter’s tape or masking tape to cover the area around the scratch. Make sure that the tape is parallel to the car’s scratch so that you have a clean line to work with.

3Step 3 - Sand the scratch

Skip this step for light scratches and go straight to polishing. Sanding removes part of the clear coat, which is only a fraction of a millimeter thick, so only sand scratches your fingernail catches on, and if you’re unsure, leave it to a professional detailer.

Before sanding, spray water over the scratch and make sure that the area is wet. This will help to avoid damaging the paint while you’re sanding.

First start with a 3000-grit sandpaper and sand over the scratch in a perpendicular motion. You don’t need to press too hard – just enough to level the clear coat. Check every 15 seconds or so to see if the scratch is gone.

If the scratch is still there, spray water again and sand another round. Continue this process until the scratch is no longer visible.

Once the scratch is gone, you’re left with a slightly dull area where the scratch was. This is normal and expected. We want to spread this area out with 5000-grit sandpaper to make it less noticeable.

So move your tape slightly over, so that you’re no longer directly over the scratch. Now take your 5000-grit sandpaper and sand in a perpendicular motion until the area looks evenly dull.

4Step 4 - Polish the scratch

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Get a clean microfiber towel and apply a small amount of car polish or rubbing compound. You don’t need much – just enough to cover the area you’re trying to fix.

Rub the polish into the scratch in a circular motion. The goal here is to restore the shine to the area.

Keep polishing until the area looks shiny and new again.

5Step 5 - Wax the scratch

To protect the area you just fixed, apply a coat of car wax. This adds a thin protective layer that helps guard against light future scratches and keeps your car looking good as new.

Apply the wax in a circular motion and make sure to cover the entire area. Let the wax dry for a few minutes before buffing it off with a clean microfiber towel.

This process should help to remove any superficial scratches from your car’s paint. If you have any deeper scratches, you’ll need to repaint the area to cover them up.

How to remove dog scratches inside your car?

Has your dog scratched your dashboard? Or worse, have they scratched the leather seats?

If so, don’t worry – there are a few things you can do to remove the scratches.

1Using a magic sponge

A magic sponge (melamine foam eraser) works well on light scuffs and claw marks on hard plastic door panels and trim. To use it, dampen the sponge with water and rub gently over the scuffed area. Because melamine foam is slightly abrasive, test it on a hidden spot first and never use it on car paint, glossy trim, screens or leather. 

If the marks don’t budge, you can try using a little bit of dish soap on the sponge. Magic sponges are one of the easiest ways to clean up scuffed interior plastics, and they can be found at most DIY stores.

2Using toothpaste

Toothpaste can be used for more than just cleaning your teeth. Plain white (non-gel) toothpaste is a very mild abrasive that can buff out light scratches on hard plastic trim. To use it, apply a small amount to a damp microfiber cloth and rub gently over the scratch, then wipe it clean. Test it on a hidden spot first, since it can leave matte surfaces looking shiny. 

The toothpaste smooths the edges of the scratch and makes it less noticeable. Keep in mind that this method may not work on deep or extensive scratches. If the scratch is still visible after you’ve used toothpaste, you may want to try another method.

3Use leather oil

If your dog has scratched the leather seats in your car, you can try using leather oil or conditioner to fix the problem. Test it on a hidden spot first, then apply a small amount to the scratch and rub it in with your finger or a soft cloth. This works best on light surface scratches; deep scratches or tears may need a leather repair kit or an upholsterer. 

The oil will help to hide the scratch and make it less noticeable. In addition, it can also help to condition the leather and prevent future damage. So next time your dog leaves behind a little mess, reach for the leather oil and rest assured knowing that you can quickly fix the problem.

How to avoid potential dog scratches in the future?

For the exterior car paint, waxing will already help to create a barrier against potential scratches. Clear paint protection film on the spots your dog touches most, like the rear bumper or the area around the door handles, offers even more protection. Teaching your dog to wait while you open the door, or using a dog ramp, also stops them from pawing at the paint.

For the interior, you can use seat covers or car mats to protect the leather from sharp nails. In addition, you may want to keep your dog’s nails trimmed on a regular basis. This will help to prevent them from scratching the leather when they get in and out of the car. We compare options in our guide to dog car seat covers for back seats, and a car door protector for dogs helps guard the inside of the doors.

Final thoughts

If your dog has scratched your car, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to remove the scratches. For the exterior car paint, we recommend following the 5 steps that we gave to remove car scratches out of car paint. 

For the interior, you can try using a magic sponge, toothpaste, or leather oil to fix the problem. You can also avoid potential dog scratches in the future by waxing your car and keeping your dog’s nails trimmed. Thanks for reading! Keeping your dog in a crate during trips also limits contact with the interior; see how to secure a dog crate in the car boot.