There's nothing worse than seeing your beautiful car with a nasty scratch marring the paint. Whether another driver inflicted it in a parking lot altercation, or you misjudged the width of your door when getting out, scratches are an unsightly eyesore. And if they're not attended to quickly, they can lead to corrosion and rusting.
Glendale Nissan is one of the most reliable Nissan dealerships to help you with top-notch car repair and car maintenance service. So how do you go about repairing scratches on your car? Read on for a rundown of the most common car scratch types and recommended repair techniques.
Car Scratch Types
There are three major types of car scratches:
- Clear coat scratches: These are the most superficial type of scratches and only affect the top clear coat layer of paint. They're usually caused by minor car accidents, car doors, and everyday wear and tear.
- Paint scratches: These scratch the paint layer below the clear coat and are usually more visible than clear coat scratches. They can be caused by car accidents, doors, keyed cars, and other sharp objects.
- Deep paint scratches penetrate through the paint and into the metal beneath. Car accidents or severe weather conditions usually cause them.
Car Scratch Repair Techniques
The repair technique you'll use will depend on your scratch type. You can try using car wax or a polishing compound for minor scratches. If the scratch is more severe, you'll need to use car paint and a clear coat.
For Clear Coat Scratches
To repair a clear coat scratch, you'll need to clean the area around the scratch and then apply car wax or a polishing compound. Work in small circles until the scratch disappears. You may need to use several coats of wax or polish before the scratch is completely gone.
For Paint Scratches
Paint scratches are more difficult to repair than clear coat scratches. To start, you'll need to sand the area around the scratch with fine-grit sandpaper. Next, apply car paint to the scratched area and cover it with a clear coat. Allow the paint to dry before buffing it out with a polishing compound.
For Deep Scratches
Deep scratches are the most difficult to repair and will require car paint and a clear coat. To start, sand the area around the scratch with fine-grit sandpaper. Next, apply car paint to the scratched area and cover it with a clear coat. Let the paint dry before you buff it out with a polishing compound. You may need to apply several coats of paint and a clear coat before the scratch is completely gone.
Now that you know the different types of car scratches and how to repair them, it's time to get started. But don't worry – we won't leave you hanging. You can schedule an appointment with us at Glendale Nissan, serving Somerset, CA. Our experts are more than happy to help you take care of your vehicle and restore its beautiful shine.