How Much Does It Cost To Fix Scratches On Car? For car enthusiasts like us, car scratches are really frustrating. In our car, it looks really dull, and nobody who loves their car can tolerate it.
In order to figure out how to fix it, we must first understand what types of scratches our car gets. There is a different treatment for each type, so let’s understand them all together.
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What are the Different Types of Car Scratches?
Scratches vary from hardly noticeable to deep or can be differentiated into 3 kinds i.e clear coat scratch, primer-level scratch, and deep-paint scratch.
Clear-coat Scratch
A very thin layer of clear coat protects the car paint from environmental factors such as direct sunlight exposure, acid rain, dust, etc.
This level of scratch can only be easily repaired if it’s sustained. It is easiest to remove car scratches from the clear coat layer.
Primer Scratch
Primer is another layer of protection that manufacturers apply to our car’s body to give it a stunning, shiny, and smoother finish. When scratches cut through the clear coat layer and expose the Primer coat, the body paint will fade and there is a slight chance of rusting if protective measures are not taken immediately.
We will need more time and expertise to get it fixed, and we recommend painting the whole part to avoid uneven paint coverage.
Paint Scratch
When a scratch is so severe that you can see the metal sheet underneath, it’s really difficult to fix.
These kinds of car scratches can be caused by someone putting stones on your car using stones, keys or any other sharp object, or during a major accident. Take corrective measures as soon as possible to avoid any other major problems.
How do I Get Rid of the Scratches on my Car?
Scratch remover treatments vary depending on the severity level. For example, if there are some minor scratches on your window, you can remove them at home with several methods we will discuss soon.
However, if the damage is too severe, you should opt for various car scratch repair kits or body shop work. Here are some common methods to remove a car scratch.
Rubbing Compound
A simple surface 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. Using little pressure, the compound is aggressively rubbed on the scratched area in a circular motion. This 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.
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 onto the surface.
The excess is wiped off and is left to cure. There have been conflicting opinions about the effectiveness of scratch-removing kits, with users reporting either no results or decent results only for very mild scratches.
Professional Denting/Painting for Deep Scratches
There is no replacement for professional denting painting work. Getting your car scratch fixed by dent removal experts like GoMechanic will guarantee showroom-quality results. Here is a brief excerpt. The professional starts by washing the car thoroughly to remove any contaminants and debris.
Sandpaper is used to remove excess paint from the area until the scratch’s core can be seen. Paint removal should be performed on the side of the scratch to avoid further scratches in the opposite direction. Furthermore, many different grits of sandpaper are used for different levels of scratches like 1500, 2000, etc.
After sanding the surface, an etching primer is applied to act as an adhesive medium for the paint. The surface is primed 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 Remove a Scratch from 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. Basic full-body rubbing and polishing start at ₹799 for your car.
whereas a deep scratch in the clear coat that has penetrated the first few layers requires a filling, sanding, and an exhaustive procedure starting at $1,099.
If the panel has been impacted panel has a dent, then the car is sent to a specialized 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.
FAQs
There are advertisements on TV or YouTube where a person uses pen scratch removers to remove a car scratch, but does it really work? The answer to this question is yes it worked but only on minor scratches where only paint coating is damaged so it just fills the gap and makes it look like there was no scratch at all.
Do you wonder if it works on major scratches? No. it won’t. As discussed above, you must choose other options.
When you are driving carefully and someone hits your car in front of you. In that case, your comprehensive insurance comes handy and all the expenses will be covered by the other 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.
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 color.
In the automotive industry, there is a RULE of THUMB. If your thumb can’t catch the scratch, it can be buffed out easily using toothpaste. This is because it’s only on the clear coat of paint. Otherwise, you’ll need a scratch repair kit or repaint because it’s too deep to buff out.