Auto Body Touch-Ups: Scratches, Swirls, and Stone Chips

By: Dragon Auto AMG

Your car’s paint is more than just color — it’s the first thing people notice, the protective shell shielding your vehicle from the elements, and, let’s be honest… one of the main reasons you fell in love with it in the first place.

But Montreal roads, winter weather, gravel, snow removal trucks, and everyday wear can leave your paint with scratches, swirl marks, and those annoying stone chips. Even the most careful driver ends up with imperfections eventually. While these cosmetic flaws are normal, they can quickly make your car look older, less cared-for, and less valuable.

That’s where auto body touch-ups come in. With the right techniques and maintenance habits, you can restore your paint, protect it from further damage, and keep your car looking sharp and polished all year round — even through Montreal winters.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about auto body touch-ups: why scratches happen, how to fix them, what to avoid, and how to protect your paint long-term. Let’s get into it.

Understanding Scratches, Swirls, and Stone Chips

Before you can fix paint imperfections, you need to understand what they are and how they happen. Not all damage is the same — and not all damage requires the same repair method.

How They Appear and What They Tell You About Your Auto Body Paint

Scratches come in different levels, and not all of them penetrate the same paint layers.

Your car’s paint has 3 main layers:

1. Clear coat — the shiny protective layer

2. Base coat — the actual color

3. Primer — the foundation that sticks paint to metal

Types of scratches:

• Light surface scratches — only affect the clear coat

• Deeper scratches — reach the color layer

• Severe scratches — expose primer or bare metal

Common causes:

• Ice scrapers

• Branches

• Parking mishaps

• Car wash brushes

• Pets jumping on the hood

• Bags or keys rubbing the surface

Understanding scratch depth is essential to choosing the right auto body repair method.

Swirl Marks: The Most Common and Most Misunderstood Paint Imperfection

Swirls are those circular marks you notice under sunlight. They look like dull halos on your paint.

What causes swirls?

• Using dirty sponges

• Washing in circular motions

• Automatic car washes

• Low-quality towels

• Dry wiping dust off the paint

While swirls don’t damage the auto body itself, they ruin the appearance of your paint and make your car look older or poorly maintained.

They are superficial — but they do require proper polishing to remove.

Stone Chips: The Reality of Driving in Montreal—And Why You Should Fix Them Quickly

If you drive on Montreal highways or through winter slush, you know stone chips are inevitable.

Stone chips:

• Are small but sharp paint impacts

• Usually come from gravel, salt, or debris on the road

• Often appear on your hood, bumper, and lower doors

• Can expose bare metal and lead to rust

Montreal roads + winter = the perfect recipe for stone chips.

And because exposed metal rusts fast in our climate, quick auto body touch-ups are essential.

How to Fix Scratches on Your Auto Body Paint

Scratches vary in depth, so the repair method varies too. Some scratches can be removed at home, while others require professional hands.

Fixing Light Surface Scratches: The Magic of Polishing and Clear Coat Repair

For scratches that only affect the clear coat, polishing can work wonders.

What you need:

• Microfiber towels

• Polishing compound

• Foam applicator

• Dual-action polisher (optional but effective)

Steps:

1. Wash and dry the car thoroughly

2. Apply a small amount of polish

3. Work in straight lines, not circles

4. Buff with a clean microfiber

5. Check the scratch — repeat if needed

Clear coat scratches are the easiest to repair, and the results are often dramatic.

Deeper Scratches: When to Use Touch-Up Paint

If the scratch reaches the color layer, polishing alone won’t help; you’ll need touch-up paint.

Touch-up paint types:

• Brush-on

• Pen-style

• Custom-matched bottles

• Professional spray blending

Steps:

1. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol

2. Apply primer if metal is exposed

3. Add thin layers of color

4. Let it dry between coats

5. Apply clear coat

6. Polish for a smooth finish

This process requires patience but can significantly improve deeper imperfections.

Severe Scratches: When Auto Body Professionals Are a Must

If your scratch exposes bare metal or spreads across large areas, DIY is not enough.

Severe scratches can cause:

• Rust

• Peeling clear coat

• Paint lifting

• Long-term auto body damage

Professional repair may include:

• Sanding

• Priming

• Color matching

• Spray blending

• Reapplying clear coat

• Full panel repainting

When in doubt, leave big scratches to experts like Dragon Auto AMG.

How to Remove Swirl Marks and Restore Gloss

Swirl marks are extremely common, especially on dark-colored cars. The good news? They’re also very fixable.

Understanding What Removes Swirls (And What Makes Them Worse)

Swirls require abrasion to remove — meaning you need to level the clear coat slightly.

Products that help:

• Polishing compound

• Finishing polish

• Dual-action polisher

• Microfiber pads

Products that make swirls worse:

• Household cleaners

• Rough sponges

• Cheap paper towels

• Dirty cloths

• Abrasive brushes

Proper swirl removal = polishing, not waxing.

How to Polish Your Auto Body Paint Without Damaging It

Polishing is safe when done correctly.

Steps:

1. Wash the car using the two-bucket method

2. Dry with a clean microfiber towel

3. Apply polish to the pad

4. Work in overlapping passes

5. Keep the pad clean

6. Wipe residue with a microfiber cloth

One round of polishing can make your auto body look brand-new.

Swirl Prevention: How to Stop Them From Returning

The best way to get rid of swirls is to avoid causing them in the first place.

Swirl prevention tips:

• Never wash in circles

• Use two buckets (soap + rinse)

• Avoid touching dry paint

• Use high-quality microfibers

• Wash top-down

• Avoid old gas-station squeegees

• Skip automatic car washes with brushes

Following these rules keeps your paint glossy and swirl-free.

Everything You Need to Know About Stone Chip Repair

Stone chips are tiny — but they can cause big problems if ignored.

Why Stone Chips Happen More in Montreal (And How They Damage Your Auto Body)

Montreal’s climate contributes massively to paint damage.

Causes:

• Winter gravel

• Road salt

• Potholes

• Construction debris

• Snow plows kicking up rocks

Stone chips remove tiny pieces of paint and expose the primer or metal underneath.

If untreated:

• Rust starts

• Clear coat peels

• Metal corrodes

• The chip grows larger

Montreal drivers need to repair chips quickly to avoid long-term auto body damage.

How to Fix Small Stone Chips Yourself

Small chips are DIY-friendly.

Steps:

1. Clean the area

2. Dab touch-up paint into the chip

3. Let dry

4. Apply clear coat

5. Polish to blend

Make sure to use paint that matches your car’s exact color code (found on the door jamb or under the hood).

When Stone Chips Require Professional Auto Body Repair

Some chips are too deep or too numerous to handle alone.

Professional repairs include:

• Filling the chip with primer

• Sanding the area smoothly

• Applying base coat

• Repainting the full section

• Reapplying clear coat

If your hood, bumper, or fenders are covered in chips, a professional touch-up or respray is your best option.

Dragon Auto AMG specializes in this type of repair — fast, affordable, and color-matched.

Conclusion: Keep Your Paint Fresh, Glossy, and Protected

Your paint is one of your car’s biggest visual features — and it deserves the same care as your engine or interior. With the right auto body touch-ups, you can remove scratches, eliminate swirl marks, repair stone chips, and prevent long-term damage.

Whether your car’s paint just needs a light polish or a full auto body repair, taking action early keeps your vehicle looking clean, sharp, and well-maintained.

And if you ever need expert help, Dragon Auto AMG is a trusted auto body repair specialist in Montreal. Their team can restore your paint, repair chips, remove scratches, and give your vehicle that fresh, polished look you’ll be proud to show off.

Drive confidently — and keep that paint shining!