Scratches, Chips, Scuffs and Dings: How Each Is Repaired

Not all cosmetic damage is the same, and the repair depends on what was damaged. A light scuff may polish out, while a chip needs paint and a dent may need no paint at all. Here is how the most common types are usually handled.

Common cosmetic damage and how it is repaired

• Light surface scratches. If the damage is only in the clear coat, polishing may reduce or remove it.

• Deep scratches. Scratches that go through the color coat usually need filling and repainting to blend with the panel.

• Paint chips. Chips that reach bare metal should be sealed and touched up, because exposed metal can rust.

• Bumper scuffs and cracks. Plastic bumper covers can often be repaired and refinished. Cracks or hidden damage may mean the cover needs to be replaced.

• Door dings and small dents. If the paint is intact, paintless dent repair may work. If the paint is damaged, the panel is repaired and refinished.

What decides the repair method

Depth of the damage, whether the paint is broken, the size of the area and the material of the panel all matter. An in-person inspection is the most reliable way to know which repair fits. For help judging a scratch yourself, see how deep a scratch is and what that means. For dents, see whether your dent is a good candidate for paintless repair.

Cosmetic repair at Lux Auto Studio

Lux Auto Studio in Van Nuys offers painting, paintless dent repair and collision repair, so the shop can match the repair to the damage. Contact the shop for an inspection and estimate.