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How to Fix Car Scratches Easily

  • Car Care Tips
  • Vanessa Norris
  • 7 minutes

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When it comes to your car, your most prized possession, even the tiniest scratch, maybe a major setback. Even if it’s hidden in plain sight, you know it’s still there. What’s the best technique for repairing scratches on your car? What to do if someone scratches your car while it’s parked? And you might want to take action before it becomes a more serious problem. Read on to know how to fix car scratches properly. 

best technique for repairing scratches

What’s the best technique for repairing scratches on your car? 

To fix a scratch on your car, you should be well aware of the type of scratch you are dealing with. There are three types of scratches, to begin with. 

  • Clearcoat scratch – As the name suggests, this form of scratch is only visible to the naked eye. Tiny abrasions in the clear coat that protects your paintwork are basically clearcoat scratches. They don’t impact paint or primer. 
  • Paint scratch – Scratches in the clear layer of the paint are known as paint scratches. 
  • Deep scratch – The worst sort of scratch is a deep scratch. To fix this, you’ll need a professional. When the clear coat, paint, and primer are all slashed away, a scratch like this one forms on the metal. Most difficult and expensive to repair are deep scratches that penetrate the car’s bodywork. To avoid corrosion, you’ll need to get an expert to fix and seal the damage on your vehicle. 

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DIY fix for car scratches 

Both clearcoat and paint scratches can be easily fixed with a bunch of car repair supplies. Before attempting to repair the scratch, give your car a hand wash to remove any debris or filth from the affected area. Using a clay bar or a microfiber towel, you may buff the surface to a high gloss. Swirls and hairline scratches will get removed, and your car’s appearance will be revitalized. It can also assist you in identifying the areas that need the greatest attention. Make sure the car has been waxed and hand-buffed to remove any superficial scratches that may still be there. Apply a liquid scratch remover if you still detect scratches.  

What to do if the scratches on your car are deep? 

Depending on the severity of your scratches, you may need to apply a bit of extra force to the repair. Rotary tools and accessories for your drill are available in a variety of DIY packages. These tools can be used to cover up minor imperfections. The clear coat is sanded away, although a polishing compound or finishing pastel can be used to restore the paint’s appearance. 

Sanding may not be enough to erase the scratch, so you’ll need to have your car’s color-matched paint on hand to fill it in. A toothpick can be used to apply a little quantity of paint to the scrape. For best results, avoid using the brush that comes with the paint container because it may result in an excessive amount of paint being applied. Wait for it to dry completely before re-doing the process. After that, use a polishing tool to finish the job. 

All these are done better with the help of a professional. This whole process might need their experience and expertise. And your car deserves the care. Talk to your insurance agent if you have a deep scratch or scrape on your car that requires bodywork. And while you’re at it, learn how to mend your car’s upholstery if you’re in the mood for minor fixes. 

What to do if someone scratches your car while it’s parked? 

There is nothing worse than finding your car all scuffed up when you return after a brief period of leaving your car unattended. When it comes to car insurance, there are a number of aspects that come into play. If you have a dent in your car, what form of an insurance claim are you likely to file? 

The damage caused by vandalism, a fallen tree branch, or a runaway shopping cart can be covered by comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance covers minor scrapes and dings that occur while driving, such as scraping a mailbox when entering a driveway. 

If you don’t know what caused the scratch, you’ll need to contact your insurance agent. If the damage is less than the insurance deductible, you may be better off repairing small scratches yourself.

Read: Does car insurance cover vandalism?

Why is it important to know the cause of damage? 

When it comes to determining whether or not your insurance company will foot the bill for the repairs, the cause of the scratch is critical. Coverage for scratched vehicles varies according on the sort of damage, and if you don’t have enough coverage for your vehicle, you’re out of luck. The first step in filing an insurance claim is to determine what caused the damage. 

Comprehensive coverage 

A scratch produced by a comprehensive coverage element necessitates that the damaged vehicle should be noted on your insurance policy’s comprehensive coverage list. 

  • Your automobile was vandalized by a thief. 
  • Branches from a tree fell upon your car. 
  • Suddenly, a wind-driven shopping cart crashed with your vehicle. 

If you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll likely have a deductible that you’ll have to pay before your insurance kicks in and pays for the repair expenses of your car. A police report is normally required to file an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle. 

Collision coverage 

When a scratch is caused by a collision, collision coverage is needed. During a tight squeeze, it’s simple to underestimate the distance between you and an inanimate item. It’s impossible to prevent getting a scratch at times. Damage caused by accident generally has a deductible. Which party is to blame for the damage and what kind of insurance coverage your insurer offers will all play a role in whether or not you have to foot the bill. If you have an insurance policy, the following occurrences may be covered. 

  • An inanimate object, such as a mailbox or pole, is barely scraped by 
  • An automobile door slams into your vehicle while you’re parked. 
  • An accident resulting from a collision with another vehicle. 
  • Damage from a car wash. 
  • Scraping tree limbs. 

Read: Types of car insurance coverage

What to do if you are unaware of the cause? 

The fact that you don’t know how your car got scratched might cause problems. You still have the option to register a claim and speak with the claim adjuster about the matter. It’s possible for claim adjusters to figure out the cause of the damage merely by glancing at the scratches. 

Collisions frequently result in severe scratches. The claim adjuster will decide how to proceed. While the final decision is yours, you should seek the advice of a professional insurance agent who can assist you in determining whether or not your circumstance warrants filing a claim. 

Scratches can be mild or severe, and the cost of repairing them can vary widely. Find out how much the repairs will cost by getting info from different care wash facilities. Consider your deductible when considering whether to file a claim for a scratch on your vehicle’s paint. If you can fix the problem yourself rather than file an insurance claim, do it. 

You might be wondering where to find the best car wash in your neighborhood or even some reliable insurance agents for this matter. Well, here is the good news. Way.com provides you with both. We recommend you to visit Way.com or download the Way app (available on iOS and Android). You can enjoy a touch-free experience and reliable services from Way.com. 

 


Read our blogs for information on the best airport parking and hourly parking spots near you and the most affordable insurance for your car.


 

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