Owning a car comes with many benefits: it is a safe and comfortable means of transportation. It gives you the freedom to travel to your desired location- without having to be dependent on anyone. Despite the positive aspects, having a car also has its fair share of challenges. Today’s blog post discusses one such challenge; scratches- an unfortunate, inevitable part of having a vehicle. The post classifies car scratches based on their severity and discusses things one can do to restore the vehicle’s paint after scratches.
Understanding Car Scratches
Although car scratches vary in type based on their severity, they can be broadly classified into two basic categories: superficial marks and deeper cuts. Superficial marks are essentially scratch marks that don’t penetrate beyond the clear coat. Contact with soft material or minor abrasions often results in such marks. On the other hand, deeper cuts usually come into being when hard materials like tree branches and debris are rubbed against the paint.
If left unattended for a long time, scratches on your vehicle can actually contribute to significant structural damage. It is therefore advised that you don’t take the scratch and dent marks on your vehicle lightly. Address the issue promptly to preserve the integrity of your car’s paint and maintain its resale value. Refrain from doing things that might result in scratch marks on your vehicle’s paint job.
Assessing The Damage
So, your vehicle has sustained a significant scratch mark: what should you do? Should you immediately take your vehicle to the nearest auto body repair shop, or should you try to fix the issue by yourself at your garage? If asked, we would say you should assess the depth and severity of the scratches and plan the course of action accordingly. If the scratch is minor and barely noticeable, there is no reason to worry. If the scratch has penetrated through the clear coat and exposed the metal, professional intervention is necessary.
There are a few things that you can do to assess the severity of the scratch- to determine whether professional intervention is necessary or not. You can tell a lot about the severity of the scratch mark by simply taking a look at it. You can also run your fingernail lightly on the affected area to determine the severity of the damage.
Step-by-step Guide To Repairing Minor Scratches
#1- Clean the affected area
Thoroughly wash the scratched area before starting the repair work. It’s quite easy… All you have to do is to dip a microfiber cloth in a solution of car wash shop and water, then gently apply it to the affected area. This is something that can remove dirt, grime, and any other loose particles that could interfere with the repair process.
#2- Apply polishing compound
Once the cleaning is done… let the affected area dry thoroughly. You can use a clean microfiber cloth to remove any excess moisture left on the surface. Then apply the polishing compound on the scratch mark and buff the area with the help of a clean microfiber cloth. As you rub the compound against the affected area, you will notice the scratch beginning to disappear.
#3- Apply touch-up paint
Get a touch-up paint pen or bottle matched to your car’s color and apply it directly to the scratch. Please be careful while doing so… don’t apply too much paint, as it can create a blobby surface. Once the pain layer dries up, proceed to the next step, which essentially involves waxing and polishing of the repaired area.
Seek Professional Help
If the scratches on your car are deep enough to catch your fingernail or covers a large area, the above method won’t be of any use to you. You might have to seek assistance from certified technicians to get the issue addressed. They have all the necessary equipment and materials required to handle the issue. But don’t just go to any repair shop… find the most reputed service center in your locality to get the job done.
Swedish Auto Service Can Help
Residents of Austin, TX can turn to 
Swedish Auto Service to fix scratches and dent marks on their vehicles. Technicians working in our facility are well qualified and experienced to handle such issues with professionalism and efficiency. We have been in the auto repair space since 1993, and we thrive on providing quality repairs. Would you like to schedule an appointment to have the scratch mark removed from your car? Call use at 512-836-0022 or visit our website.
