Even while little dents and scratches might result from daily life’s rigors, the damage can go far beyond an unsightly mark. Even well-kept cars can have stone chips and car paint scratches that detract from their appearance and worth. If untreated, this may result in more harm, such as corrosion and moisture intrusion.
Even though the damage can be serious, it can be easily prevented if you choose to get any scratches and scuffs on your automobile fixed right away. In actuality, automobile scratch repairs can frequently be less expensive than you can imagine, even while the price varies widely based on the type, size, and location of the damage.
Read our DIY Car Scratch Repair Guide: Tips and Tricks
Why Scratch Repair is Important?
It’s crucial to fix scratches. Not only are scratches aesthetically pleasing, but they can eventually lead to rust and degradation. Your car is left open to the weather after a scratch. Not only can paint enhance the appearance of your car, but it also shields it from the elements.
An opening is made in the armor by scratches, and that opening has to be sealed. The structural integrity of your car may be impacted if the scratch is neglected over time. It’s critical to have any scratches on your car repaired as soon as possible for the reasons listed above.
How Much Does A Car Scratch Repair Cost?
Due to the wide variety of scratches that occur, it is hard to estimate a cost. Scuffs and small scratches on the paint may only cost 500-700 AED to repair, but deep paint scratches can cost as much as 5000 AED, especially if body parts need to be replaced or repainted.
Factors Affecting The Cost Of Car Scratch Repair
Location of Damage
The location of dents, dings, scuffs, or scratches in the paint of the car may affect the cost. A small scrape on a door panel might not cost as much as a comparable scratch on a bumper or fender. This is because certain locations present challenges, such as bends, headlights, crumple zones, sensors, and cameras.
Size and Extent of Damage
The cost of repairing car paint will also depend on the kind and extent of the damage. Whereas a deep scratch that removes all of the paint and exposes the metal may take much longer to repair, minor scratches may only take a few hours at an auto body shop.
Types of Car Scratches
Deep Scratches or Dents
As the name suggests, deep scratches or dents are substantial external damage that extends much beyond the original paint layer. Upon initial inspection, a dent’s severity is quite clear, and your technician will decide whether or not paint repairs are necessary.
By dragging your finger across the site of impact, you may determine the full extent of damage in the case of a scratch. A deep scrape will have a ridge-like sensation. In one case, there appears to be cutting into the paint, maybe revealing the metal underneath. Deep paint scratch repair often costs between 3000 and 5000 AED at auto body shops, making these the most expensive sorts of scratches to fix.
Primer Scratch
The primer is another layer of protection added to our car’s body to make it look stunning, shine, and be smoother. You’ll spend anywhere from 2000 to 6000 AED if your scratch reaches the primer level.
The body paint will deteriorate if scratches cut through the clear coat layer and are exposed to the primer coating. If protective measures are not taken on time, there is a slight chance of rusting. To avoid uneven paint differences, it will require more time and expertise to fix it. A whole part should be painted to avoid uneven paint differences.
Clear Coat Scratches
If the color of the scratch does not change as you look at it, then the primer and metal underlying have not been touched by the scratch. The clear coat might have still been pierced by the scratch, though. Additionally, the average cost of expert repair for these kinds of scratches at an auto body shop is less than $100.
There’s no need to touch up the nearby paint. Alternatively, you might use polish to make the scratches nearly undetectable. You may completely erase the scratches for a very little price, even if you never get rid of them.
Scuffs
Since scuffs are only little scratches, they are the cheapest and easiest to repair. They develop when the paint of your car rubbing against another painted surface.
Scratches, however, could be more difficult to find than deeper scratches because there isn’t a color shift from the scrape. It might take a close examination of your car to find them. You can use polishing or hand buffing to repair scuffs. Auto body shops often charge less than 300 AED to repair scratches, according to Scratch Wizard estimates.
Different Ways To Remove Scratches On A Car
Toothpaste
One of the best at-home solutions for fixing automotive scratches is toothpaste. A slightly abrasive whitening toothpaste is what you should use. It ought to work like fine sandpaper.
Apply a little amount of toothpaste to the scratch with your microfiber cloth and work it in circular motions. You should be able to restore the original appearance of the surface by smoothing out any small scratches in the clear coat.
Compound Polish
Another easy and cheap method for getting rid of paint splashes and dirt marks is using a rubbing compound. It can be found in many stores. Similar to toothpaste, apply the compound to the scratch, mist it with water, and then massage it with a fresh microfiber cloth. If you want the desired outcome, rub it for a few minutes.
This easy process usually gets rid of the dirty sport fast. However, you might detect a small bump over the area after rubbing and cleaning with this material. Still, it is a small price to pay compared to having the entire damaged area of your car painted over.
You can visit Al Zaabi AutoCare for professional car detailing and polishing services.
Use Baking Soda
Using baking soda is a common do-it-yourself technique for repairing automotive scratches. You can use an everyday household item to get light scratches out of the paint job on your car. Using a clean cloth, apply a paste made of baking soda and water to the afflicted region.
After using a circular motion to rub the paste into the scrape, rinse it off with clean water. To see results, you should repeat this method several times.
Paint Job
The best way to cover deep scratches is to paint over them. If you have the correct color, you may be able to do it yourself. The following steps should be followed after cleaning your car.
- To remove the top layers of the scratch, sand it down
- Remove all debris by rinsing.
- To attach the paint, apply a bit of primer.
- Add additional coats of paint to get the closest color to your car
- Seal everything in by applying wax.
You can visit Al Zaabi AutoCare for professional car paint services.
FAQs
Do car scratches have hidden costs?
It is important to consider several other factors in addition to the repair cost. Material costs and tools are the first factors to consider. Additionally, you’ll need to consider the time you’ll spend researching shops, finding the right supplies, and any additional costs that may arise.
Is it possible to paint over a scratch on a car?
Yes, paint can be used to fill a car paint scratch that is not very deep and severe. Avoid painting the scratched area with a brush or spray bottle because it will only make things worse. Fill the scratch with a pointed needle or toothpick. When choosing the color, make sure you look at the paint code on your car’s right door or in the owner’s manual.
Is it worth fixing car scratches?
It’s definitely worth getting the scratches fixed if they are deep and have damaged the paintwork. If you fix scratches on your car, you can increase its value and make it look brand new.
Conclusion
Many people deal with car scratches on a daily basis. Even though you should avoid them as much as possible, it’s still a good idea to have a car insurance policy and keep some cash aside in case something happens. If you’re handy, you may be able to fix some scratches yourself, but if they’re deeper, you should go to your mechanic. If you’re tired of seeing your car scratched and do not have any solution, then take your car to Al Zaabi Autocare, and we will repair your car like a pro!
