5 Things To Know About Auto Body Scratches
Posted on: 16 July 2021
A simple scratch may seem like minor damage, but it can become worse if ignored. An auto body shop needs to repair and repaint the scratch promptly.
1. Dents
Some scratches include dents, particularly those caused by other car doors or shopping carts. When a dent is present, you may need more than a simple scratch repair. If the dent doesn't include a crease, the shop may be able to pop it out successfully. If there is a crease, though, the only effective way to make a full repair usually requires replacing the entire body panel.
2. Length
A scratch can be short or long. Some are just an inch or so in length, while others may stretch across several car panels — such is the case if someone keys your car. As long as the scratch didn't crease the panel, it can be repaired by either touching up the paint over the scratch or repainting the entire panels that have been affected. Often, it is quicker to simply repaint rather than carefully fill and patch a long scratch.
3. Depth
A deep scratch is one that reaches through the clear coat, paint, primer, and then into the bare metal. Shallow scratches only penetrate the clear coat or paint layers. Deep scratches are a bit more difficult to repair, as the paint must be built up by layers so that it matches properly with the surrounding paint. Shallow scratches can typically be repaired relatively quickly with touch-up paint and a fresh layer of clear coat.
4. Fading
Sometimes it isn't the scratch repair itself that is the most challenging. If your car is older, then the paint on it has likely faded and is now a shade or two lighter than its original color. This means that touch-up paint won't make a perfect match and the repair will visibly stand out. In this case, it may be necessary to repaint the entire panel or even the entire car.
5. Rust
Rust becomes an issue when you don't repair a deep scratch that reaches metal quickly enough. Moisture in contact with the metal leads to an oxidation process that creates rust. If caught early, the auto shop technicians can clean out the rust and repair the scratch with touch-up paint or full panel repainting. If rust begins to eat a hole in the metal, though, replacement of the entire body panel may be necessary.
Contact an auto body shop if you have a large scratch that needs to be repaired. A body shop can provide more information.
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