We all love our cars and always take great care of them, but despite our good efforts scratches happen from anywhere on the road, in parking etc. Due to scratches the question arises in every car owner’s mind , Does car detailing get rid of scratches?. In this article we aim to equip you with better understanding of detailing and its relevance to scratches removal.
The short answer is yes, detailing can remove minor imperfections and surface scratches, but deep scratches require extra treatment. Lets understand the types of scratches that helps to know better which scratches can be removed from detailing and which need special work.
Type of car scratches?
Understanding the type of scratches on a car can help you to determine the best course of action for restoration.
Clear Coat Scratches: This is the most common and least severe type of scratches. They occur on the outermost layer of a car paint job., which is designed to protect the color coat underneath. These scratches occur due to brushing against bushes, incorrect washing techniques and rubbing against the car surface with abrasive materials.
Paint Scratches: These scratches are more severe than clear coat scratches and affect the color layer of paint. These scratches are results of harder impact, such as scraping against a wall, or hitting a sharp object. Paint scratches are more visible and sometimes can be felt with a fingernail.
Deep Scratches: These scratches are the most severe form of damage, reaching beyond the paint layer or even down the metal. These scratches occur mostly due to accidents, or impact with sharp or hard objects. Deep scratches are easily noticeable and can lead to rust and also impact on car resale value.
After the understanding of scratches, it’s time to know which scratches can be removed from detailing and which is not.
Clear coat scratches can easily be removed from detailing, while some paint scratches can be removed with a thorough detailing, they often require some additional treatment like paint correction or minor touch-up to completely hide them.
But Deep scratches can’t be removed by detailing. These require professional bodywork like sanding, filling, painting or clear coating. This professional work is expensive but is necessary to fully restore your car appearance and prevent further damage like rusting.
As we have deep knowledge about scratches now, let’s understand it is worth fixing scratches on the car.
Is it worth fixing scratches on the car?
Fixing scratches on your car depends on several factors like extent of damage, car age and value, and your personal attachment to the car. Here we discuss some reasons that help you to understand why addressing these blemishes might be a worthy investment or not.
Car Aesthetic Value: For many people, a car is more than just a means of transportation. It’s a symbol of pride and joy. Scratches becoming minor or major doesn’t matter, can mar the car appearance. Repair of these scratches is necessary in maintaining the car’s beauty and ensuring that it reflects the owner’s care and attention to detail.
Preventing Further Damage: Scratches that damage paintwork, leading to rust and further damage. Repairing these scratches promptly can prevent costly repair and maintain the car’s structural integrity.
Resale Value: When it is time to trade your car, the first impression is crucial. A car with scratches can’t attract potential buyers and not command a high price. Repairing scratches can be an investment in the car’s further resale value.
These are the reasons that you may consider if you are confused while repairing scratches. Surface level scratches might be inexpensive and deep scratches cost you, but it’s necessary to preserve the car’s aesthetic and value.
How big of a scratch can be buffed out?
Scratches can be buffed out determined by the depth and severity of scratches. Shallow surface scratches like light abrasions or fingernails often only affect the clear coat layer and can be effectively removed with polishing. While deep scratches required extra work.
Let’s understand about buffing their limitations, factors that affect buffing etc.
What is Buffing?
Buffing, also known as polishing , is a technique used to remove imperfections from the surface of a car. It means use of special material to rub on scratches to make them smooth and restore the shine of paintwork.
Factors that affect buffing:
- As mentioned above, shallow scratches are buffed out successfully, but deep scratches are not.
- Different paint systems react differently to buffing. Modern clear coat finishes are easier to work with, but older paints without clear coat might be damaged easily when buffing them.
- Buffing involves the removal of a thin layer of paint to eliminate scratches. If the paint is too thin, excessive buffing can lead to damage.
- Professional skills and experience in buffing also play an important role. Improper buffing can worsen scratches.
Limitations of Buffing:
- Buffing can only address surface level imperfections. While deep damages like dent, or deep scratches can’t be repaired through buffing alone.
- Buffing out large scratches can be a time taking process and require multiple stages of polishing with careful attention to detail.
- Buffing removes a small amount of paint. If scratches are deep, then buffing may compromise the integrity of the paint layer.
Buffing is an effective solution for many surface scratches. It has some limitations and is not effective for deep scratches or extensive damages.
What is the best car scratch remover?
Choosing the best car scratches remover involves a careful evaluation of your needs, the depth of scratches, the car paint type and maintenance. Here are a few options you can consider, these are highly regarded in the automotive community.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound: This product is suitable for a wide range of paint types and scratches depths. Its advanced formula not only removes scratches but also restores the color and adds clarity in car paint.
Chemical Guys VSS Scratch and Swirl Remover: This is one-step scratch removal and is ideal for those seeking quick and easy solutions. Its formula works to eliminate surface imperfections without the need of any additional product.
3M Scratch Removal System: A complete kit design for deep scratches, the 3M Scratch removal system includes sanding discs, compound, polish pad. This product is an excellent choice for those willing to invest a bit more time and effort into their scratch removal process.
Can car detailers remove scratches?
Yes, Car detailers are skilled professionals and capable of removing various types of scratches from your car and improving the appearance of your car.
But it’s important to note that all scratches are not made invisible, Like scratches that reach the metal, require professional bodywork and repair in the body shop rather than just detailing.
Car detailers can identify the depth of those scratches and can tell the best course of actions that needs for your car.
How much does it cost to get scratches out of a car?
Cost to get scratches out of a car is not straightforward, because many factors influence the price. This post will guide you through these factors, and how to manage the cost effectively.
Factors affecting the cost of scratches removal:
- Scratches that affect only clear coats are less expensive to fix as compared to deep scratches that reach that paint layer.
- Scratches size and location also affect its cost. Larger scratches and in the location difficult to access require extra effort and labour, increasing the price.
- Cost also depends on the type of car. Like luxury cars have mostly custom paint jobs that cost more in terms of scratches removal. Because the paint of these cars are more expensive.
- Repair method also affects cost. Simple buffing and polishing are lower in cost, while sanding, filling, painting and paint correction are more expensive.
Cost Ranges for Scratches Removal:
- Clear coat (Minor scratches) : Simple polishing and buffing don’t require paint are quick fixes for scratches. It costs between 50$ to 150$.
- Paint Layer (Moderate Scratches) : Scratches that affect paint but not in depth layer cost between 100$ to 400$. These scratches require more work, including sanding and paint touch-up.
- Metal layer (Deep Paint Scratches) : Deep scratches that reach the metal cost anywhere from 400$ to $3000 or more. The wide range is due to extensive need for filling, sanding, painting and sometimes parts replacement.
For minor issues, a DIY approach can save your cost, but for more significant damage, it’s worth investing in professional services.
