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Anyone else addicted to car detailing reels? They’re just too entrancing for me to pass up in my feeds. I’ve been following a real swell account, Dirty2Dreamy, and wow, do they deliver on content. The narrator, Jonathan Monson, owns the operation and does a great job of (generously) explaining the steps while taking client rides from filthy to showroom-ready. This month, the car detailer out of Auburn, Washington, posted a reel demonstrating how to remove “transfer” marks and scuffs from your vehicle all by yourself. Not only is it satisfying, but it’s worth an educational share. Watch below.

How to remove marks and scuffs from your car’s exterior yourself

The car detailer explains that “transfer,” or paint from another object rubbing off on your car, quickly wipes off with an everyday solvent. Now, I was expecting him to name some special uber-toxic solution. Turns out acetone will do the trick. Since I keep my nails painted, I have a bottle of 100% acetone already.

The detailer shows how to take a cloth soaked with acetone and easily wipe off the marks and scuffs. After, folks should wash the substance off with soapy water and then give the vehicle a clean rinse.

In terms of cloth type, detailers often recommend microfiber. A commenter also helpfully warned us about using a microfiber that’s dyed. Acetone might cause fabric dye to seep and then stain the car. This is especially true with white vehicles.

If you’re like me and park your white SUV next to your husband’s black sedan, you and your kids might be giving his car little love taps with the doors every now and then (tee hee).

After watching the car detailer’s DIY lesson, I went out with my nail polish remover, gloves, and a couple of microfiber towels. I got the hose ready to rinse. Sure enough, within 10 minutes, every spec of white paint was gone from the black E46, and the car was washed and rinsed clean.

The business offers small group training sessions, and I’m not going to lie: I’d just love to attend one of them. They look to run about $4,000, though, so for now, I’ll stick to the free advice on its socials. The training would likely be super worth it for folks looking to open their own car detailer service.

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Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy joined the MotorBiscuit team as managing editor in 2021 and brings with her a bevy of automotive expertise. She’s an ASE-Certified Automotive Service Consultant and licensed car salesperson with over a decade of shop operations experience.

Sarah was the creator of “Shop Smarts” for MOTOR Magazine and was a contributor from 2013 to 2020. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015.

She has attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from The Ohio State University.