You could be having the best day ever – having sun with your friends, enjoying the sun, then you get home and take a look at your motor scooter. Was that scratch always there? If it was, and you’re just noticing it, you probably want to know how to remove scratches on a motor scooter to sort out the problem.
Scratches on anything are never fun to deal with. Whether you have scratches on your bicycle, motor scooter, (see also: How Long Do A Motor Scooter Tires Last)or your vehicle, they can put a damper on your day.
You will start worrying about how to remove scratches on a motor scooter and how much it will cost to get it looking as good as new again – but surely there are other options?
The good news is, there are a few things you can try out before heading to a professional to get the job done. Granted, some of these might not be your first port of call, but they can be useful in a pinch.
What Can Cause Scratches On A Motor Scooter?
Like bicycles and cars, you can scratch your motor scooter doing just about anything that involves contact.
Maybe you backed up into a wall or another vehicle. Maybe someone else bumped into you while the scooter was unattended.
Alternatively, maybe something got kicked up on the road and just hit your motor scooter. There are countless ways for these accidents to happen, but it isn’t the end of the world.
How To Remove Scratches On A Motor Scooter
So, how to remove scratches on a motor scooter? Before you admit defeat and get your motor scooter over to a professional, there are some options to consider! These might not be your go-to options, but if you have nothing else that will get the job done, you will be grateful for them nonetheless.
Let’s go through a few options on how to remove scratches on a motor scooter that you might not initially think to use to remove scratches on a motor scooter.
Urethane Auto Paint
It might be difficult to find a matching color, but if you can, this is a great option. The paint needs to be of good quality before you even think of painting it.
To use this, you will need to first carefully clean the affected area of the car, then you can touch up the scratch. You might need to stop by an auto dealer to purchase the right paint, and the stuff they have should be high quality.
Candle Wax
If you only have some light scratches on your motor scooter, and it isn’t immediately noticeable, candle wax can save you! Most people have candles sitting at home, and they are very affordable. You don’t want anything fancy – just regular clear candle wax.
Start by cleaning the scratched areas carefully, and allow them to properly dry.
Once dry, all you need to do is rub a light coat of the wax onto any affected area. Providing the scratch is not too noticeable to begin with, and only the surface layer has been damaged, the wax will conceal it perfectly for a while.
Bear in mind that this is not a permanent fix. Rather, using candle wax will allow you to continue with whatever you are doing, so that you have time to find a proper solution.
Super Glue
Super glue is fantastic for getting the surface of your motor scooter smooth again. It produces a perfect canvas for you to then apply your auto paint, nail polish, or anything else you might choose.
How to remove scratches on a motor scooter using super glue? First, clean the area, then apply a very thin coat to the scratch. Do this carefully, and make sure that your fingers don’t touch it. You don’t want to get stuck to your scooter – that’s not fun.
A few layers might be needed depending on the scratch, but take it slow and get thin, even layers. This will give you a much better finished result.
Shoe Polish And Sandpaper
Firstly, make sure you get shoe polish that is darker than the paint color of your scooter. Secondly, you need to clean the affected area very thoroughly before applying it, so that you can see what you’re working with.
Smear some of the shoe polish into the scratch, and carefully use sandpaper to rub down the uneven areas. Use very fine sandpaper (anywhere between 120–220 grit is considered fine), and slowly even everything out.
Be careful to not overdo it, or you can just make your scooter look worse. Use a clean cloth and buff out the polish when it looks done. If necessary, you may need to apply some auto paint or nail polish to get its color back.
Nail Polish
Nail polish coming in to save the day! Yes, you can easily use nail polish to make those scratches invisible. This will offer a more long-term solution since it shouldn’t come off very quickly.
Unlike using urethane auto paint, nail polish comes in a wide variety of colors and shades. So, you have a very good chance of actually finding a color that perfectly matches your motor scooter (or damn near close enough).
The best part is, nail polish is easy to find and very affordable. You can head to lots of stores and there will be options galore. Alternatively, order online where there will be even more options.
If you do choose to use nail polish, make sure that it is not a gel polish, especially one that needs a UV light to cure. Stick to the quick-drying options.
When you find the best color to conceal your scratches, clean the affected area on the motor scooter and allow it to properly dry.
Then, carefully paint over the scratches with nail polish. Make sure to make your time with this, as you might need a few layers, depending on how deep the scratch is.
Ensure that you leave enough time for the nail polish to properly dry between layers.
If you rush, the polish will not last, and you will just have to redo it again.
Toothpaste
We’re all heard about how magical toothpaste can be.
Well, you can use it to get rid of those unwanted marks, too (provided they are not deep)!
There are abrasive ingredients within toothpaste that can act as sandpaper on the surface of your scooter.
This will help to get rid of the marks.
Make sure you get a toothpaste that is specifically designed to be a teeth-whitening formula.
Don’t go for one that has unnecessary ingredients or gels, either.
All you need to do is clean the area of the scooter, then apply some toothpaste.
Use a clean paper towel to then buff the area (gently).
After a minute or so (or whenever you feel is right), get another clean paper towel and wipe it off.
You might need to do this a few times, but the results will be worth it!
Final Thoughts
While the are all great options on how to remove scratches on a motor scooter, we can’t deny that there will be tones when you just need to head to a professional.
Sometimes, the damage is too bad to be fixed at home if you do not have the proper equipment and know how.
And you know what? That’s okay! Things happen, and that’s life.
If you can deal with the issue yourself, great. But if you do need some help, get it.
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
