It’s part of the driving experience that we occasionally run into something, or someone runs into us, leaving scratches in the paint, but how much does it cost to fix scratches on a car?
The type and size of the scratch(s) will impact the overall cost, so let’s look at how to identify what sort of scratches they are and how much they cost.
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How Much Does It Cost To Fix Scratches On A Car?
This can range from $150 to $3,500, the damage being from just a minor scuff mark on the clear coat to a scratch that went all the way to the bare metal of the vehicle.
Do I need to fix scratches on my car?
Yes, you might think that a minor scuff or deep scratch isn’t that bad, especially on an older model car.
However, withholding it from being fixed can cause further damage to the paint and the metal underneath it and influence the vehicle’s resale value.
When it’s just a scratch or a shallow puncture, it may erode the paint finish over time, and when there is a way for contaminants to enter the clear coat, it can begin to peel off or flake off.
If the scratch is deep and reaches bare metal, it will begin to rust the metal and cause the paint to wrinkle or bubble as the metal beneath begins to decay.
These damages can be related to the value of the vehicle being dropped quite significantly, and many people judge the condition of a vehicle by the state of the exterior and interior of a car, so always try to keep it perfect.
Here is a very informative DIY video of ChrisFix showing how to fix deep scratches on your vehicle:
Identifying The Depth Of Scratches On The Car
As mentioned before, scratches can be as benign as scuff marks to damaged deep scratches; let’s look at how to identify them.
Clearcoat scratches or scuff marks
These scratches can easily be seen; if you run your fingernail over them, you will feel them snag on the scratch lightly.
These are also your cheapest fix, requiring either a fast polish for scuffs or minor clear coat sanding and clear coat respray on the affected area.
How much does a clearcoat or scuff mark cost to repair?
Clearcoat scratches and scuff marks can cost anywhere from $150 to $300, depending on paint and labor.
Primer depth scratches
These scratches went all the way through all the paint layers and reached the primer.
It is easy to identify them as you can see the difference in the primer color shown through the scratch.
The area should be sanded down until the primer has been reached and painted up from there; in most cases, a whole panel will be repainted from the primer up.
How much does a primer deep car scratch repair cost?
Depending on the length and paint used, primer depth scratches can cost $500 to $1000 per scratch.
Deep to the metal paint, scratches
This is the deepest and most expensive scratch to fix, and you will be able to see the metal in the scratch; this usually occurs in high-speed impacts.
The cost is high because the panel must be sanded down to the metal, retreated with anti-corrosion paint, and repainted from the base anti-corrosion layer up.
How much does a metal deep car scratch repair cost?
Deep paint scratches can cost up to $2,500, depending on the damage and age of the scratch.
Tips To Prevent Scratches In The Future
There are steps that you can take to prevent future scratches on your vehicle:
- Install a VPS car protection wrap.
- Always park away from other people’s cars and movable objects like cart returns.
- Always use microfiber towels to wash and dry your vehicles.
Final Thoughts On The Cost Of Fixing Scratches On A Car
We hope you have found this article informative and helped you determine what it will cost to fix scratches on your vehicle.
The price of fixing scratches depends on the severity of the scratch, whether they are clear coat or primer level scratch, and how deep each scratch is in the paint.
FAQs
Does my insurance cover car scratches?
Yes, if your insurance policy is correct, all scratches will be covered, and you won’t have to pay anything.
If the scratches were caused by a car accident, the driver violating the law would be held responsible for any damages incurred.
If natural calamities were to blame for the damage, ensure your insurance policy covers everything.
Can I fix scratches myself on my car?
Yes, you can, but it can be quite a daunting task to do a professional job.
The most straightforward job to do yourself is to buff, or polish scuff marks away.
You can buy kits like this Meguiar’s G190200 Quik Scratch Eraser Kit from amazon with the easy to follow instructions.
When repairing scratches on your automobile, the more challenging jobs are those deep scratches that need fixing.
For example, you’ll require vehicle-specific paint, sanding paper, a clean, dust-free environment, and many hours for preparation before sanding, cleaning, painting, and then polishing the car.