Does Toothpaste Damage Car Paint?

Does toothpaste damage car paint? This is a common question for many people. People worry about the chemical in the toothpaste can react badly when in touch with car paint. Well, the truth is toothpaste won’t damage car paint but instead, it can give the car body a shiny look.

Ingredients in toothpaste

Why does toothpaste get sticky on car paint? As the name suggests, toothpaste is made from a combination of water and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS is a surfactant that can easily dissolve in water. It is different from soap. Soap has chemicals that can dissolve better in oil. The combination of these ingredients makes a paste for brushing teeth.

Does toothpaste damage car paint?

The answer is NO. Even though SLS is a surfactant and can dissolve easily in between water and oil, it does not break down the paint surface. As it dissolves the wax of the car paint, it also creates a milky look.

However, if you RUB it on car paint, then it can scratch the paint.

What should you do then?

Toothpaste works best on waxed, clean, and dry car paint. Wipe the car surface with a clean microfiber towel to remove dirt. Then apply a layer of toothpaste on the car body with foam or soft brush. Rub lightly in a circular motion and wait for about 2 minutes to dry out. Then wipe off with water or wipe excess toothpaste with a microfiber towel and let air dry to restore shine.

Does toothpaste remove scratches from car?

Toothpaste, with SLS surfactant, can remove the residue of the car wax on car paint. However, it is not guaranteed to remove the scratch of a nail or other object. In order for toothpaste to remove a scratch, it needs to be rubbed in long and hard enough to damage the ridges of the car paint. If done incorrectly, it can simply just make the scratch darker instead of making it disappear.

Toothpaste is perfect to remove light scratches like a bird dropping or tar spots. It is also perfect to remove scratches from a car with high gloss paint. Just use it just like you would use a regular wax. Then wipe off the excess with a microfiber towel.

Keep in mind that SLS content in toothpaste is 3% by weight. So, if you rub too hard or for too long, it can damage the paint and make it look duller than ever before.

What toothpaste is good for car scratches?

There is a lot of toothpaste in the market that emphasizes car body scratch removal. However, there is no guarantee with the toothpaste.

In order for the SLS to be effective in removing scratches, it has to be the right concentration. Too little and will not work. Too much and will damage the paint.

How to use toothpaste to remove car scratches

Wash the car surface to remove dirt and debris. Then take a soft microfiber towel and apply it to the area you want to shine. Use circular motion until you get the density of your liking.

You may need to repeat this process several times until there are no visible scratches.

Does toothpaste really clean car headlights?

Yes, toothpaste can clean car headlights. It cleans by removing oil and dirt off the car headlights. By removing the dirt, it will make the light of your headlights brighter and clearer.

Final Words

To conclude, toothpaste does not damage car paint. It can restore the shine by removing dirt, wax, and oil from the surface. However, you need to be careful in using toothpaste on your car paint. Rubbing it in for too long or with too much pressure can result in scratches that are only fixable by a professional.