Types Of Car Scratches And Repairs Explained | All You Need To Know

Car scratches are really frustrating for a car enthusiast like us. I mean nobody who loves his/her car can tolerate it and it does look really dull in our car. Before we discuss how to get it fixed, we need to understand everything about the types of scratches that our car gets. Each type has a different treatment so without wasting any time let’s understand each and everything about it.

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What is the different type of car scratches?

Scratches vary between hardly noticeable to deep or in expert tone it is differentiated in 3 kinds i.e clear coat scratch, primer-level scratch and deep-paint scratch.

1. Clear-coat scratch

   

   As we all know that there is a very thin layer of clear coat that protects car paint from environmental issues like direct exposure of sunlight, Acid rain, Dust, etc. If the scratch sustains to that only then car scratch repair can be done with ease. Removal of car scratches from the clear coat layer is the easiest task.

2. Primer scratch

   

   A primer is another protection that manufacturers add to our car’s body to give it stunning, shining and smoother surface. If car scratches cut through the clear coat layer and exposed to Primer coating and at that level of damage, the body paint will ruin and there will be a slight chance of rusting if protective measures not taken on time. This will require more time and expertise to get it fixed and recommend to paint the whole part to avoid uneven difference of paint.

3. Paint scratch

   

   When a scratch is so severe that you can see the metal sheet under the layers then it’s really hard to fix. These kinds of car scratches got if someone willing to put on your car using stone, keys or any other sharp object, or during a major accident. It’s recommended to take corrective measure asap to avoid any other major cause.

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How do I get rid of the scratches on my car?

There are different scratch remover treatments depending upon the severity level like if there are some minor scratches you can remove them at home using several methods that we are going to discuss soon but if the damage is too deep then you should opt for various car scratch repair kit or body shop work. Here are some common methods to remove a car scratch.

1. Rubbing compound

   

   A simple surface-level scratch can be judged using your fingernail. If your nail is unable to catch it then it can be removed using a special rubbing compound. This is done by first, washing the affected area properly using car soapy water and then cleaning it with a microfiber cloth. Now using a buffing pad a small amount of rubbing compound is applied. The compound is aggressively rubbed in on to the scratched area in a circular motion by applying little pressure. The objective is to remove a bit of scratched clear coat. The whole process is repeated again and again. Finally, the area is washed and air-dried.

2. Car scratch repair kit

   

   A store-bought scratch repair kit can also be used to remove mild scratches. The kit contains a buffing pad and scratch remover solution. The surface is first washed so that there is no dust or debris lodged on the surface. The surface is then dried with a microfiber cloth. Using the buffing pad a small amount of solution is rubbed on to the surface. The excess is wiped off and is left to cure. There have been contradicting opinions on using a scratch removing kit which may users reporting no results or decent results only for very mild scratched.

3. Professional denting/painting for deep scratches

   

   There is no replacement for professional denting painting work. Getting your car scratch removed by denting painting experts like GoMechanic will guarantee perfect-showroom-finish results. Here is a brief excerpt. The professional starts by washing the car thoroughly to remove any contaminants and debris. Using sandpaper, the professional removes excess paint from the area and until the core of the scratch is seen. The movement of paint removal should be on the side of scratch to avoid further scratches in the opposite direction. Furthermore, many different grits of sandpaper are used for a different level of scratches like 1500, 2000, etc.

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   After sanding the surface, etching primer is applied to act as an adhesive medium for the paint. The surface is primer-ed and sanded in between processes two or three times while waiting for it to dry. The professional then matched the paint using a special pallet and the OEM paint code. Finally, multiple layers of clear coat are applied and the paint is protected and sealed using waxing and polishing compounds. This whole process takes a day or two depending on the extent of the damage.

How much does it cost to get the scratch out of your car?

The cost of fixing a car scratch depends on the intensity and spread area of the scratch. A surface-level scratch can be removed by rubbing, cutting and polishing the affected panel. A basic full body rubbing and polishing starts at ₹799 for your car.

Whereas a deep clear coat scratch which has penetrated the first few layers requires filling, sanding and is overall an exhaustive procedure which starts at ₹1,099.

If the panel has been impacted panel has a dent, then the car is sent to specialised auto-body repair booth where the dent is first pulled using PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) procedure or any other alternative method as required. GoMechanic offers per panel denting and painting at just ₹1,599 for your car.

You can check prices for your car by clicking here

Do scratch removers work?

We all have seen the advertisement on TV or YouTube where a person removes the car scratch just by using pen scratch removers but does it really work? The answer to this question is yes it worked but only on minor scratches where only paint coating is damage so it just fills the gap and makes it look like there was no scratch at all.
If you ask whether it works on major scratches? No. it won’t. You have to go with other options as discussed above.

Are car scratches covered by insurance?

If you are driving carefully and someone from the front is driving towards you hit your car and got some scratches. In that case, your comprehensive insurance comes handy and all the expenses will be covered from the opposite party’s insurance claim. But if your car gets scratched by normal wear and tear as a dog sat on the roof and hood or due to heavy snowfall then it won’t cover under insurance.

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Can you paint over a car scratch?

If the car paint scratch is not too deep and severe then yes, it can be filled using paint. Never use a brush or spray bottle to paint the scratched area because it will only make things worse. Use a pointed needle or toothpick to fill the scratch. And, don’t forget to look at the paint code mentioned in your car’s right door or book manual before choosing the colour.

What kind of scratches can be buffed out?

In the automotive industry, there is a RULE of THUMB. If your thumb can’t catch the scratch then it can be buffed out easily using Toothpaste as it’s only on the clear coat of paint and if not then you need to go out with a car scratch repair kit or repainting because it’s way too deep to buff out.

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“Condition of the car reflects the behaviour of a person who owns it”