3 Common Types of Car Scratches & How to Fix Them

3 Common Types of Car Scratches & How to Fix Them

Your car’s paint isn’t invincible. Whether it’s a rogue shopping cart, gravel on the highway, or your own clumsy hand with a key—scratches happen. But not all paint damage is created equal. Let’s break down the 3 most common types of scratches, what causes them, and how to fix them the right way.

1. Clear Coat Scratches (Light Surface Scratches)

What it is:
This is the most common—and most superficial—type of scratch. It only affects the clear coat (the top protective layer over your paint). You’ll usually see these from automatic car washes, careless wiping, or minor contact with bushes or branches.

How to spot it:
They look like dull, spiderweb-like lines on the surface. You won’t feel them with your fingernail.

How to fix it:
Use a high-quality polish or scratch remover. Micro-abrasive compounds can smooth out the clear coat and restore shine. Seal the job with wax to protect the surface.

DIY difficulty: Easy
Pro tip: Don’t use cheap products. They’ll do nothing or make it worse.

2. Paint Scratches (Base Coat Damage)

What it is:
These go deeper—through the clear coat and into the paint itself. They’re often caused by more aggressive contact: door dings, careless parking jobs, or gravel impact at high speed.

How to spot it:
You’ll feel the scratch when you run your nail across it. The color beneath may show slightly lighter or darker, depending on the paint.

How to fix it:
Light paint scratches can sometimes be buffed out by a pro with a dual-action polisher and compound. If it’s deeper, you may need touch-up paint. Either way, follow up with wax or ceramic coating for protection.

DIY difficulty: Moderate
Pro tip: If you’re unsure, don’t wing it—book a pro.

3. Primer or Metal Scratches (Deep Cuts)

What it is:
These are the nasty ones. They slice through the clear coat, paint, and primer—exposing the bare metal. Left untreated, they’ll rust, spread, and wreck your car’s finish.

How to spot it:
Visible silver or gray primer. In worst cases, you’ll see raw metal.

How to fix it:
These need a real repair. Sanding, primer, color match touch-up, and clear coat reapplication—done by a pro. DIY patch jobs here usually look worse than the scratch.

DIY difficulty: Leave it to professionals
Pro tip: Get it handled ASAP to avoid rust and bigger costs.

Don’t Let Scratches Wreck Your Ride

Whether it’s a surface swirl or a deep gouge, scratches lower the look—and value—of your car fast. Rinzer offers scratch removal as part of our professional detailing services. We assess the damage, apply the right fix, and restore your finish.

Click here to book your detail →
We come to you. No swirl marks. No rookie mistakes. Just results.