Will buffing and polishing remove minor scratches on a car’s body and bumper?

Autocar India

•1h

Yes, but it depends on how deep the scratch is. Your car’s paint has a clear top layer. If the scratch is only in this clear layer, buffing and polishing can remove it or make it hard to see. A quick check: run your fingernail across the mark. If your nail does not catch, and the scratch almost disappears when the area is wet, polishing should sort it. These are the usual light swirls, light scuffs from bags, or colour transfer from another car which you accidentally nudge.

If your nail catches or you can see a different colour under the paint (grey/white base, black plastic, or bare metal), polishing will not fix it. That needs touch-up paint or a repaint.

Painted bumpers follow the same rule, but be extra gentle. The paint on plastic parts is thinner and heats up fast, so it’s easy to burn the edges with a machine. If the bumper is unpainted black plastic, polishing will not help much. Use a plastic trim restorer, and some light scuffs can be eased with gentle heat.

If you want to try at home: wash and dry the area, use a mild rubbing compound or polish on a soft microfibre cloth, work a small patch, and finish with a finer polish. Wipe clean and apply a wax or sealant so the area stays protected. Do not overdo it, as you are removing a tiny layer each time. If you have PPF, do not polish it. Many films self-heal with warm water or sunlight. With a ceramic coat, ask the detailer for the right method.

So yes, light scratches can be polished out. Deep ones will need paint.

More questions on similar cars

J A Christopher

•3d

Are EVs prone to motion sickness? My daughter feels nauseated even in ICE cars during continuous 40-50 km travel. Will an EV worsen this? Kindly advise.

Autocar India

•1d

Motion sickness in cars is usually caused by inconsistent movement, not the fuel type. It happens when the body senses motion, but the eyes do not match it, which is common in stop-and-go driving, frequent braking, body roll or jerky acceleration over longer drives.In petrol cars, this often comes from gear shifts, uneven power delivery and sudden braking, while in electric cars it can come from instant acceleration or strong regenerative braking if driven abruptly. So the root issue is how smooth or jerky the car feels, not whether it is petrol or electric.This is where newer EVs can actually help. Cars like the Hyundai Creta Electric and Kia Carens Clavis EV are among the smoothest to drive, with very linear acceleration, no gear shift shocks and a comfortable ride. Driven gently, they feel far more consistent in their movement compared to their petrol or diesel versions, which can reduce the chances of nausea.Compared to your Fiat Punto Evo, both will feel like a clear upgrade in refinement, ride comfort and overall smoothness.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Vishu

•3d

Is Honda launching the HR-V in India? If so, when, and how will it arrive? Will it be a CBU, CKD, or manufactured locally? What price segment is it likely to target?

Autocar India

•2d

There are currently no plans for Honda to launch the HR-V in India. It’s a model that has been evaluated in the past, but since it was not feasible cost-wise, the project was never approved.You may be thinking of the Honda ZR-V instead. That’s a more premium SUV, and Honda is understood to be considering it for India as a full import (CBU). While there’s no official confirmation or timeline yet, it could arrive sometime this year if plans firm up. As a CBU, pricing will inevitably be on the higher side due to import duties. We expect it to be in the region of Rs 60-65 lakh, which would place it firmly in the niche, premium end of the market rather than as a volume player.In short, don’t expect the HR-V anytime soon, and if the ZR-V does come, it’ll be more of a brand-building exercise than a mass-market offering.

Hari

•3d

I am looking for a car with a naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a torque converter automatic gearbox, within a budget of ₹16 lakh (on-road, Chennai). Could you please share the list of available options that meet this requirement? Additionally, I would like your opinion on whether opting for a turbo-petrol engine is worthwhile for daily office commuting in a metropolitan city like Chennai, considering traffic conditions and real-world usability.

Autocar India

•2d

For mostly city use in Chennai with an on-road cap of Rs. 16 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT fits your brief best. It has a simple 1.5-litre petrol, naturally aspirated engine without a turbo and a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, so it moves off gently and stays smooth when traffic is slow. The higher seat and compact size make it easy to see out, thread through gaps, and park, and Maruti service is widespread in Chennai.The flip side is that it is not very quick if you push hard, and the cabin feels a bit plain in this price range. If you want the full set of non-turbo petrol cars with a torque-converter automatic near your budget, these are the ones to look at: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga AT and Toyota Rumion AT in the lower trims if you need seven seats; the Maruti Suzuki Jimny AT has the same simple automatic but may just cross Rs. 16 lakh on-road in Chennai, so check deals. Most other petrol automatics in this price range use AMT or CVT-style gearboxes, not a torque converter.Do you need a turbo for a Chennai office run? Mostly no. In heavy traffic, you rarely use the extra power a turbo brings. Some small turbos also have a slight pause and then a jump when you press the pedal, which is not as soothing in stop-and-go driving. A non-turbo with a torque-converter automatic is usually the calmest. A turbo is worth it if you often carry a full family, climb flyovers a lot, or do fast runs on OMR/ECR or the highway. Overall, for city-only use, you will be happy without a turbo.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

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