Car Scratch Repairs

Car scratch repair specialists

As a car owner, it is inevitable that your vehicle will eventually get a scratch – whether that is a result of small stones bouncing up, a minor road accident, or even outright vandalism. Thankfully there are services, products, and equipment out there that will restore your car to pristine condition.

Based in Leigh, Mendadent is a traditional body shop providing car scratch removal and car paint repair services to customers in the surrounding area.

We get asked all the time if we can “buff that out” or “sort that out” when a client brings in a car that is badly scratched and the answer is yes. Even for deeper scratches, we can rectify paint damage and get your car back on the road.

On site we have a custom made colour-mixing station that allows us to match any car colour, no matter how unusual or custom it may be. This also means that we can restore scratches faster and cheaper as, more often than not, we can help you to avoid needing to replace bodywork parts and more.

Deep scratches and scuffs

For deeper scratches and dents, polishing and buffing takes more time. When it comes to deeper blemishes and imperfections, you need to strip the paint down to the base layer and rebuild the paint. This can be a lengthy process as there is in essence 3 layers on top of the base.

Layer 1 – Primer

This is the first layer of the colour of paint, applied directly to the metal body panels. Thanks to modern technology, this layer is becoming thinner and thinner, (rarely needing to exceed a 38 micron (µm) layer), larger due to the fact that body panels are making production smoother.

That being said, older or classic vehicles do require a heavier primer layer, as the thickness required for the primer is much greater. This is simply down to the finish the technology at the time was able to produce. Mendadent will always cater for this when our experts work on older vehicles.

Layer 2 – Base Colour Coat

This layer gives the vehicle its final colour, usually to a semi-gloss or metallic-like standard. Custom colours and tones are also normally added at this level. This layer of paint is normally very thin, nowadays rarely exceeding 38 microns (µm). As this layer is often the layer that reflects the colour, this is where we use our on-site colour mixing station to match virtually any paint code, even if it’s custom.

Layer 3 – Clear Coat

The final layer on modern cars (from around the year 2000 onwards) is a clear-coated catalysed enamel finish, which has to be able to withstand UV light. This is to prevent the colour from fading, a fate that many older vehicles and classic cars suffer.

Once all three layers are applied, the scratches, dents and marks will be removed, and the car is left as good as new. All that is required is a little time for the work to dry out and harden.

Can I repair scratches myself?

Whilst we wouldn’t advise it on many cases, minor scratches and imperfections can be restored yourself. There are many over-the-counter products that you can buy that will help you polish out minor scratches.

However, if you have never before polished out a scratch, it’s always best to call in the professionals for a perfect finish. Be careful not to look for quick fixes and bogus solutions, as more often than not, they are not long-lasting solutions.

Car Scratch Repairs

How do you repair car scratches?

Scratches, scuffs and scrapes can all be restored and repaired – but how long it takes depends on the length and depth of the imperfection. In most cases, Mendadent are able to completely repair the damage within 1 day. This is down to our on-site colour mixing station, and our site holding all the latest technologies, which reduces waiting times and speeds up the whole process. Additionally, we invest a lot of time into training all our staff, ensuring that we are up-to-date on all the latest techniques.

Are scratches, dents and scuff marks covered under insurance?

Subject to the level you have got, yes, scratches, dents and all other imperfections can be covered under your insurance policy. Of course the level of cover you have can vary what you are entitled to claim on. You should also consider the excess you may have to pay upfront, which can be higher than the cost of the damage. In many cases scratch repairs cost between £100 – £1,000 (subject to the level of damage).

We at Mendadent are always happy to assist you with your claim, but it is worth noting that if you choose to go down the insurance route, we cannot start work until your insurance provider has authorised the work.

How much does a car scratch repair cost?

The cost of a car scratch repair can vary depending on the exact damage – anywhere between a figure of £100 up to £1000. Get in touch with us and we’ll give you a quote for your car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Well, Mendadent certainly can. It may take a little more time, and can cost a little more than a small scuff would, but deep scratches can be fixed.

Get in touch and we’ll take a look.

Perhaps, yes – depending on the scratch, and how handy you are. Generally, we’d recommend bringing it in for a professional finish and a guaranteed colour match.

Car scratch repair pens don’t contain paint, but instead a clear lacquer. If the scratch is very superficial, small, and right on the surface, they can hide it pretty effectively – but for anything more extensive, it’s best to get professionals involved to have your car looking as good as new should the paint need replacing.

Because WD40 is an oil, spraying it over a scratch fills it in and leaves a glossy finish. Superficially, it can be effective – but bear in mind the scratch isn’t fixed, just hidden. At Mendadent, we repair scratches right from the base layer, so your car really is as good as new.

Toothpaste does work as a buffer on car scratches – but only very superficial scratches that haven’t penetrated the top layer of the paint. Any damage more than that would benefit from a professional repair.