Can I remove light scratches by hand without a polishing machine?

Light scratches and small areas can often be improved by hand with a suitable compound or polish and a foam or microfiber applicator. Work a small area at a time with firm, even pressure and check your progress often. Hand polishing removes less material than a machine, so it is safer, but it is slower and less effective on deeper scratches or whole panels, where a dual-action polisher gives more even results. Scratches that catch a fingernail or show primer cannot be polished out.