
In general, the cost of repairing scratches on a car bumper is the following:
- $50-$150 for a minor scratch on the car bumper;
- $250-$600 for medium deep car bumper scratches;
- $300-$700 for major car bumper scratches;
- Heavy scratches: >$500 because of the more labor that is needed to fix it.
Full Answer
How much does it cost to fix a scratch on a car?
Unfortunately, many drivers are surprised at the cost of scratch repair. It costs anywhere from $125 to $2,000 to repair scratches on your vehicle. The cost varies depending on the depth of the scratches, the make and model of the vehicle, and other factors.
How do you fix a deep scratch on a car?
How to Repair a Deep Scratch on Car
- Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Buffing out Moderate Scratches. Wash and dry the damaged area. ...
- Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Filling Deep Gouges. Clean the scratch with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt or wax. ...
- Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Painting over Repaired Scratches. Apply a thin line of touch up paint to the scratch using a fine brush. ...
How can I fix scratches on my car?
Polish until the area matches the rest of the car
- Sand the scratched area
- Spray primer and then paint onto the sanded area
- Polish until the area matches the rest of the car
Does rental car insurance cover scratches?
Yes, scratches can be covered by Car Rental Insurance. It just all depends on either your personal car insurance policies, what perks you have from your credit card provider, or if you decided to get the coverage offered by the rental office themselves.

How much does it cost to fix a scratch on your car?
The cost to repair the scratches on your vehicle depends on how numerous and deep they are. A surface scratch can cost you as little as $150, but a deep paint scratch can cost upwards of $2,500. The average cost of a full car scratch repair is around $3,500.
Is it worth fixing scratches on car?
Unless the dent or scrape is very minor (and therefore very cheap to fix), older and less-valuable vehicles probably won't gain much value from a repair. You're often better off just keeping your money and living with the scrape and the knowledge that your car is a little less perfect than it was yesterday.
Does detailing get rid of scratches?
Car detailing can hide minor scratches through polishing, waxing, and sealing, but it cannot help with deep scratches. For repairing such a car scratch, you need to get professional services for your car's paint.
Will a paint job cover scratches?
Once a scratch reaches the paint layer, the entire area will need to be sanded, buffed, and repainted, which means even a small paint scratch can be expensive to fix. Scratch Wizard estimates that these types of scratches can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 or more to repair.
Is it worth fixing scratches on car before selling?
In some cases, repairing the dent can actually increase the value of the car, helping you to get more money for it. The other advantage to repairing a dent prior to selling a car is that it can help you sell your car faster. Buyers may be leery about buying a car with a large dent in it.
How much do paint scratches devalue a car?
5%-10%A good rule of thumb is if the dent is visible from about 10 feet away or if the paint has scratches, it can cause a 5%-10% depreciation of your car's value.
Should I leave car scratches?
Scratches or dents to your vehicle will make your paint and its protective layer more vulnerable to further chipping if left unaddressed. Moreover, the damage brought upon by chipping may even spread to other areas that were not involved in the original damage.
How much are scratch repairs?
The cost of repairs depends on the severity of your scratch. The deeper your scratch, the more time and materials it takes to repair it. When you're looking for a professional repair here are the prices per scratch:
Does insurance cover car scratches?
If you have the right policy, your insurance pays for your scratch repairs, not you. If your scratch results from a collision, you or the other driver needs collision insurance depending on who is at fault. If the damage is from a tree falling near your car or driving down a road and rock hitting your vehicle, you need comprehensive coverage. Having the proper coverage can keep you from having to pay thousands of dollars in repairs.
What is primer scratch?
Primer scratches are scratches that reach the paint layer or the primer layer but don't expose the metal. These are more costly than a scuff with the extra layers that need to be repaired. Car accidents and tree branches commonly cause these scratches.
What is the difference between a clear coat scratch and a scuff?
The difference between a clear cost scratch and a scuff is a scuff isn't as long as a clear coat scratch. Rocks and other debris kicked up from the road are a large cause of these.
How to get rid of a scratch on your fingernail?
If your nail doesn't get caught, it's a surface scratch, and you can use this method. Wash and dry the affected area. Put a quarter-sized amount of toothpaste on a clean microfiber to wel or pad.
What is the deepest scratch on a car?
Deep Paint Scratches. Deep paint scratches are the deepest and most expensive scratch. These scratches expose the metal of the car. Unlike the other two types of scratches, every layer of paint will need repairing. These scratches usually occur in car wrecks or other hard collisions.
How to get scratches out of car paint?
Make sure you have metal visible. If not, this method isn't suggested. Wash and dry your car thoroughly and then rewash the scratch. Sand away the top layers of paint in the scratched area. Use 2000 girt sandpaper and check every 10 seconds to make sure you don't remove too much paint.
HOW MUCH TO REPAIR CAR SCRATCHES?
No two scratches are alike, and determining what your car scratch repair cost will depend on a number of factors, most importantly is the type of paint scratch damage on your car.
What causes scratches on car paint?
COMMON CAUSES OF CAR SCRATCHES 1 Car accidents are one of the most common causes of scratches in your car’s paint. Even a minor bump from another driver can be enough to scrape an unsightly mark into your vehicle. 2 Chips and rocks that fly loose from the road or from larger vehicles as you drive can also cause scratches. These scratches may be the hardest to prevent, as the rocks or chips are so small you may not notice you’ve been hit until you discover a new scratch in your car’s paint. 3 Although it’s important to keep your car clean, over washing or aggressively scrubbing the car’s exterior can cause scratches and swirls in the paint as you grind excess dirt on the exterior. Also, make sure you use a microfiber cloth or chamois when drying your car to prevent scratches.
Why does my car have scratches on the exterior?
Although it’s important to keep your car clean, over washing or aggressively scrubbing the car’s exterior can cause scratches and swirls in the paint as you grind excess dirt on the exterior. Also, make sure you use a microfiber cloth or chamois when drying your car to prevent scratches.
Why do you need paint protection film?
Applying a paint protection film can save you time and money on car scratch repair, as well help protect your car against the rust that occurs when deep scratches are left unrepaired. All of this protection helps to maintain the resale value of your car and keep your ride looking sexy and pristine for years to come.
What to do if you have a scratch on your paint?
If your scratch has gone into the primer layer, you will need to use touch up paint to restore the scratched area. The scratch will likely appear white if it has come through the clear coat and the paint, reaching the primer layer underneath.
What happens if you scratch your car?
If the scratch is severe enough—perhaps you reversed into an object or someone scraped your car as they left a parking spot—it will scratch down to the metal frame of your vehicle. These scratches should be repaired immediately, as exposed metal can rust if exposed to the elements long enough.
How to prevent scratches on car?
There are steps you can take to prevent car scratches—parking away from cart bins, not parking too close to other cars, using a microfiber cloth or chamois when drying your vehicle— but the best preventative step you can take is to install paint protection film.
Types of Damage and Car Scratch Repair Costs
Scratch Wizard, a manufacturer of automotive coatings and detailing products, recently surveyed 30 body shops to find the average price of scratch repairs for a Honda Civic. The company sent pictures to 30 body shops and requested a damage assessment. They also asked how long the shops would need to repair the vehicle..
Deductible Versus Paying Out of Pocket
It's not always a good idea to file an insurance claim to fix your vehicle's scratched paint job. If possible, consider paying out of pocket for low-cost repairs. For one thing, after a rate hike, your insurance premiums will quickly exceed the insurance settlement you used to cover your repair costs.
Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches and Keying?
Yes, you may use your car insurance to fix scratching and keying damages. You can file an auto insurance claim as long as you have comprehensive coverage, which pays to repair or replace vehicles damaged in non-collision events, such as fires, falling objects and acts of vandalism.
If I File a Claim, Will My Insurance Rates Go Up?
Your premiums may increase if you file a car insurance claim to repair scratches. The increase can be as much as two percent, depending on your driving record and claims history.
What Should You Do When Someone Keys Your Vehicle?
There are several steps you should take if someone has keyed your vehicle. The process to file an insurance claim is similar to others.
Comprehensive Insurance and Car Scratch Repair Costs
Your vehicle requires insurance protection in case someone damages it. When shopping for a new policy, consider adding comprehensive insurance to cover damages from vandalism.
Should You Fix A Car Scratch?
You may feel that you can ignore a minor scratch on your car, especially if it is barely noticeable. However, if you care about your car and want to preserve its appearance in the long term, fixing it is a must.
What happens if you scratch a car?
A scratch on your car, especially a deep one, can cause further damage to your paint and your car’s metal frame. Therefore, you should make sure to resolve any scratches as fast as possible.
How to tell if a scratch is clear coat?
The fingernail test determines if the scratch only affects the clear coat. Simply take your finger and run the scratch over with your nail. If you do not feel a small indentation, it is a clear coat scratch.
What is the worst type of scratch?
The worst possible types of scratches are deep scratches which means that the scratch has penetrated all the layers of the paint job.
Why do cars get scratches in the car wash?
As many cars go through the car wash, dirt and debris get on the relatively stiff brushes which always cause scratches to some extent.
Why is clear coat important?
The clear coat protects the paint job from the environment and makes sure the paint looks good. If it turns out that the scratch on your car only affects the clear coat, you are in luck!
How much does it cost to scratch a primer?
To give a rough estimate, a primer scratch will cost around $400 – $1000, this also includes labor and all the necessary material.
What is a scuff on a paint job?
Scuffs are a collection of very light surface scratches that have only damaged the clear coat of the paint job . To find out if the scuffs have only damaged your clear coat, rub with spit (really) and see if the scuffs vanish.
How to fix scratches on car paint?
If the scratch is a deeper one, but has still not reached the paint layer, you will need some wet/dry sandpaper to get rid of it. The sandpaper will cost around $10, with wet 2000 grit being preferred. Soak the sandpaper in water and sand the scratch. You will also need rubbing compound to get rid of the sand scratches, as well as polisher so that you can shine it when you are done. All told this will cost about $30 to do it yourself, which is a fraction of the $150-300 that a body shop will charge you.
How to fix scratch type 3?
The fix: Apply touch up paint: pen or bottle-and-brush. Use as little paint as possible, and the smallest brush available.
What is the first layer of paint?
All cars have three layers that make up a paint job: the first layer is clear coat , the second is paint and the third is primer.
Do you have to paint a scratch on clear coat?
These are deeper, longer scratches than a scuff, but since the scratch has not penetrated past the clear coat layer you do not have to do any painting to repair it. To find out if the scuffs have only damaged your clear coat, rub with spit (really) and see if the scuffs vanish.
Is the size of a scratch a factor in repair costs?
Though the size and length of the scratch is a factor in repair costs, the fewer the layers it penetrates the better. For example if the scratch only penetrates the first layer, that’s going to cost less to fix than one that penetrates all three layers. Here is a break down of four types of well known scratches.
How much does it cost to repair a car scratch?
The average car scratch repair cost varies depending on a number of factors, the two main main ones being the extent of the damage and the type of repair.
What happens if you scratch your car?
As a car owner, noticing a scratch on your paintwork or feeling the scraping of a bollard against your car are awful moments. Not only does damage to the car paintwork look bad, but it can also affect the value of the car. Left untreated, scratches can lead to worse damage and rust down the line, so it’s worth getting sorted sooner rather ...
How to repair scratches on car?
Useful car scratch repair checklist 1 Check the extent of the damage to see if it’s broken through just the clear coat or the paintwork too. 2 If you have very light scratches on your car, you might want to consider a DIY scratch repair kit. 3 Speak to your local car repair shop for their professional advice. 4 Shop around for fair and competitive car scratch repair costs. 5 Always hire a tradesperson or car repair centre with relevant experience and appropriate qualifications/accreditations.
How to get a price quote for scratch repair?
Speak to your local car repair centre for their professional advice and to get an accurate price quoted for the scratch repair work.
What is smart repair?
This is basically the process of repairing a localised area of a car without needing to repaint the whole panel (or vehicle) by using specialised tools. SMART repairs can start from as little as £50.
What factors affect the cost of car scratch repair?
Factors affecting the cost of car scratch repair. Here are some of the common factors that will affect the price you pay to repair your car scratch: Size and extent of damage. Location of the scratch on car. Type of repair treatment.
What is professional color matching?
Professional colour matching as part of this service means you’ll have a high quality finish and a result that means you won’t be able to tell where the scratch was. Even better, you can use a mobile SMART repair service, so you don’t even have to leave your home to get your paintwork sorted.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Scratch on a Car?
When trying to determine how much does it cost to fix a scratch on a car, there are a few things to consider. As mentioned above, the severity is a big factor that affects the cost, increasing it the deeper the scratch goes. Prices per scratch can also fluctuate depending on your location but, a few average amounts you can expect are listed below.
What is the costliest scratch to repair?
As you might guess, deep paint scratches are the costliest type of scratch to repair. These scratches can reach multiple layers of paint and leave the metal of your car exposed. These types of scratches likely need the help of a professional to repair.
How much does primer scratch cost?
If you have a scratch that reaches the level of the primer, you’re looking at anywhere from $500 to $1000.
How much does it cost to fix a paint scratch?
Deep paint scratches are the costliest on the list of scratches to repair. If you have a deep paint scratch, you’re looking at spending up to $2500.
What causes scratches on paint?
Scuffs lie on the top layer of the paint and do not penetrate down below. Typical causes can be anything from debris to tiny rocks as you drive down the highway.
What is a primer scratch?
A little deeper down is the primer scratch, one that actually gets deeper into the paint. Though it doesn’t hit metal, it still leaves a visible scratch that becomes more costly to repair the deeper it goes down and the larger it is.
What is the best app to buy a car?
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
