Deep scratches on your car’s paint can be a real headache, as they not only affect the appearance of your vehicle but also compromise the protective layer of the paint job. Unlike enamel, all lacquer-based paints, whether clear, color, or primer, tend to shrink as they dry. While these repairs can be attempted at home with research and minimal cost, a dealership or reputable body shop can provide you with a professional-looking result that restores your car’s appearance and protects it from further damage.
Can Body Shops Fix Deep Scratches?
Assessing the Severity of the Scratch
The first step in determining whether a body shop can fix a deep scratch is to assess the extent of the damage. Scratches can be classified into different categories based on their depth and severity:
Clear Coat Scratches: These scratches only affect the top layer of the paint, the clear coat, and can often be buffed out or polished.
Primer Scratches: These scratches penetrate through the clear coat and reach the primer layer or the paint layer, but do not expose the metal body. Primer scratches are more expensive to repair as they involve multiple layers of paint.
Deep Paint Scratches: These scratches go all the way through the paint and expose the metal body of the car. These are the most severe type of scratch and require more extensive repair work.
Professional Repair Techniques
When dealing with deep scratches that reach the metal, body shops have specialized techniques to restore the appearance and protect the vehicle:
Sanding and Filling: The technicians will sand the area to level out the surface, then apply a filler material to fill in the scratch.
Painting: Once the filler has dried, the area is sanded again to ensure a smooth surface. Then, the body shop will carefully match the paint color and apply multiple layers to blend the repair seamlessly with the surrounding paint.
Clear Coat Application: As a final step, a clear coat sealant is applied to protect the repaired area and maintain the vehicle’s shine.
While DIY scratch repair methods may be cost-effective for minor blemishes, deep scratches that reach the metal are best left to the professionals at a reputable body shop. With their expertise and specialized equipment, they can restore your car’s appearance and protect it from further damage.