Car Paint Scratch Repair 101: How it Works

HomeBlogCar Paint Scratch Repair 101: How it Works

Scratches on your car can be incredibly frustrating when you take pride in your vehicle. Everyday driving and road conditions can cause wear-and-tear on your car, whether by debris kicked up by other vehicles, runaway shopping carts, or heavy hail. While scratches are a common occurrence, you do not need to live with the result, since car paint scratch repairs can restore the paint job. Here are the steps that an auto body shop will take to perform car paint scratch repair:

Car Paint Scratch Repair 101: How it Works

  1. Cleaning and preparing the surface: The first thing to do in repairing scratches and dings is to make the area ready to work with. This involves cleaning the surface to remove all dirt and grime. Next, the surface will be sanded and primed.
  2. Filling in the scratch: There are many layers to car paint, so care is taken to ensure that the scratch is filled and leveled with the surrounding area.
  3. Matching the color: It might seem like a simple fix, but matching the paint color perfectly can be challenging. Using the vehicle’s VIN, paint codes, and a special pallet, professionals can identify a match to blend in seamlessly.
  4. Finishing touches: The repaired area is sanded and buffed to blend it with the surrounding panel. Multiple layers of clear coat are applied, as well as sealing and protecting the paint.

Depending on the severity of the scratch, professional repair may involve multiple rounds of sanding to smooth out the damage and best prepare the surface for painting. For the best results, meticulous preparation is key to ensuring that the car paint scratch repair looks invisible to the eye when finished. Whether you’re looking for a minor touch-up or a full repainting job, our team will take care of your ride.