Before we talk in detail about different types of car scratches. First, let me help you understand what exactly is the problem now.
There are some types of damages on car. We all called these as “car scratches”. So, let move on to make sure we’re on the same page about what car scratch is.
People often think car’s paintwork as just 1 single color. That’s not correct.
In contrast, automotive paint layers are more complicated than we think. And there are many car paint layers with modern painting technology.
We will not going into detail as an technician. Just getting some basic information here:
The body is the structure of our car. It can be aluminum or steel or any modern composition of materials.
The E-coat is also known as electrophoretic paint. It is the first layer of a car’s paint.
The process of e-coating a vehicle is using an electrical current to attract the paint to the vehicle’s surface. First, the coating materials are put into water, where they in a sense sit and bathe. Then, the car’s body is immersed in a special solution. After both of these are all done, an electric current is used to attract the paint to the car’s metal with an electrode. This process allows the paint particles to build up and form a film on the vehicle evenly.
The purpose of the E-coat & Pre-Treatment layer is to provide corrosion protection to the metal surface of the vehicle body.
Primer is the next layer. And it’s used to get the vehicle’s surface ready for the actual paint.
The primer layer is incredibly important because the base and clear coats won’t consistently bond/stick without it. Not using primer before painting a vehicle will lead to flaking and chipping.
The basecoat goes on top of the primer. And it is the color the car will end up being.
Base coats with just solid color that we often seen as car exterior color.
However, Basecoats cannot be left by themselves because they do not have any hardeners or strengtheners in them. They are essentially a raw paint. So they cannot be the last layer on a vehicle. Otherwise, the car will end up with blemishes. Also, leaving a car with just a basecoat can allow moisture to build up, which leads to rust. We don’t want a car rust, right?
The clear coat goes on top of the base coat. And just like its name, it’s clear.
Although it’s not 100% transparent, the clear coat gives a car a nice glossy finish. This layer also keeps the basecoat intact. And it protects the vehicle from rain, snow, and UV rays.
It is the thickest layer of your vehicle’s paint. Generally, it makes up about 33-42% of the entire layered system. And the top coat can have a matte, glossy, or tinted finish.
Many people call any types of damages on car “car scratches”. Yes, we agreed with this conclusion. Generally, we are not an automotive technician, right? So, take it easy.
Both methods are correct. We will get into this debate shortly.
Is it possible to have entirely scratch free paint? Short answer: No.
Let’s be realistic. You might have all of these car scratches. Or, you will have all these damages within…next week.
Why?
Because you can’t avoid these scratches.
If you look at the panels at just the right angle, you can still see very fine scratches in the paint. And if you always notice these micro-scratches, you’re OCD now.
Don’t be panic, we are on the same page. That’s why we are car detailers.
FATCT: If you’re standing 5 feet from your car in good sunlight and you can’t see them. Then no one else will ever see them either. That’s the best way to get rid of scratches on car.
We know that many detailers will laugh us with this recommendation. But that’s the truth. We’re just trying to get it as good as possible just to see what is actually possible. If you can’t see the problem, there is no problem at all.
Don’t let me wrong! We are not trying to sell a paint protection package or any PPF packages here. You can check our blog Does PPF cover scratches? at the end of this document.
Scratches can vary widely, from superficial marks to deep abrasions that penetrate multiple layers of paint.
FACT: You can’t see these light scratches with pictures above without a flashlight.
Sure. Even a car that is garaged but not driven daily. We will talk about how to fix a scratch on a car later. Or if you want to how to hide scratches on a car, we have some tips, too.
We received a ton of questions like this:
Well, to be honest, man will be man. After talking to a few people down at our car detailing shop, we learned that you are OCD. And these guys have above questions are OCD, too.
I could have told you that it’s a very different condition. It’s known as “Obsessive Car Disorder.” As you began to talk to us about the symptoms, it all became very clear that you needed to do something about it. You will need detailers like us.
Deep scratches penetrate beyond the clear coat. And they reach the base coat or even the metal surface of the vehicle. They are typically caused by more significant impacts or contact with sharp objects.
The first step to know a car scratch is to identify the type of scratch you have. To do this, you can use your fingernail to catch the scratch.
Another way is to look at the color of the exposed metal.
There are many terms for car scratches. And they are different types of car scratches in auto detailing.
And to be clear, we will get into detail types of car scratches pictures below:
In Auto Detailing terms, holograms are paint defects. Detailer can called them as buffer trails or buffer swirls. They are the same problem.
Holograms have that distinctive three dimensional look in the paint finish when exposed to direct sunlight. They are swirl marks amplified and they can rob the beauty of any paint finish.
Sadly, scratch marks on car like Buffer Marks Hologram are not because your mistakes. It is caused by polisher (buffer). And often appears after heavy compounding stage. When a technician uses a high speed rotary buffer or poor pad/product choice, they will make these hologram marks.
In Auto Detailing terms, swirl marks are paint defects. Detailer can called them as micro-marring, swirls or dual action haze (DA haze). They are the same problem.
Swirl marks have that distinctive circle look or circular scratches on car in the paint finish when exposed to direct sunlight. They can rob the beauty of any paint finish.
Sadly, scratch marks on car like Swirl Marks are not because your car paintwork. It’s your mistake.
When you’re wiping your car with a dry towel or when it’s dusty, you create fine scratches. Or you’re using a car cover when the car or the cover is not clean. A dirty car duster or a car duster used on a car with too much dirt on the surface can be the same problem.
In Auto Detailing terms, random scratch marks are paint defects. Detailer can called them as car wash marks, swirls. They are the same problem with deeper penetrate into the clear coat than swirl marks.
Random scratch marks have that distinctive irregular lines on car. You can see them easily in the paint finish when exposed to direct sunlight. They can rob the beauty of any paint finish.
You can’t avoid these scratches. Sometimes, squirrels or your cats made these marks frequently.
In Auto Detailing terms, deep scratch marks are paint defects.
Deep scratch marks have that distinctive exposed white or grey color in the paint finish. You can usually see a lighter color coming through the scratch. And you can feel it easily. They are very annoying because you can’t hide them.
Unless you’re experienced detailer (or painter), you’ll probably end up making the scratch even more noticeable.
Now you know types of car scratches pictures and what causes scratches on a car. We also show you how to see scratches on car, too.
Well, let’s be realistic. You fix scratches on a car or repair scratches on cars with deep marks. Or, you can leave them there.
Because each type of damage has a different treatment. So without wasting any time let’s understand each and everything about it.
Yes, we can. Just drop us a message via Whatsapp at 035 499 6491 (English). We will contact you shortly.
Yes, this happen most of the times. Sometimes, you are too hurry to follow these steps. You can also use the wrong car wash detailing kit.
The common problem is using dirty tools and mistakes in car wash techniques.
There are many treatments on how do you remove scratches from a car. Nothing is the best scratch remover for a car.
Sometime you can fix a car scratch yourself. However, we recommend you have a check with us before doing it. Why? Because we can give you a free estimate within 5 minutes inspection at our detailing shop.
Our experience detailer can show you:
But, the most important thing is how long will it take to repair scratches on a vehicle. Because, everyone is busy with their jobs. And making an appointment, driving to places repairing scratches and driving back home are so frustrated. We can help you with all-in-one service that Price Match Guarantee.
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