What is a scratch into the colour coat?
The mark shows your own colour, but duller or lighter than the paint beside it. That is the colour layer itself, exposed. The clear coat above it has been cut through, which is why the line has no shine.
What kind of repair does it need?
A spot repair. Polishing may make it less visible, but it cannot put back clear coat or colour that is gone. The colour is matched and applied just to the damaged area, then clear coat goes over the whole panel.
Also sold as SMART repair. Often done at your place, often the same day. Ask for it by name, because a shop quoting out of habit will quote the whole panel.
What to do next
Ask for a spot repair, also sold as SMART repair, by name. A shop quoting out of habit may quote the whole panel. Mobile repairers often do this at your place in half a day. Ask whether a body line, a panel edge or your colour would push it up to a panel price. Tell them if your paint is metallic or pearl, or the panel is aluminium.
Sources
- BASFpaint maker
Spot repair on a basecoat/clearcoat finish is defined as applying color only to the…
- HBC System (repair equipment maker)equipment maker
SMART is an acronym for Small (to) Medium Area Repair Technology.
- Touch Up Guys (Australia)repairer
SMART stands for Small to Medium Accident Repair Technology
- Sherwin-Williams Automotivepaint maker
Sand and featheredge damaged areas to remove chips, then refinish
- Standoxpaint maker
Micro/Spot repair or complete refinishing is necessary for true rectification
- Chemical Guysproduct seller
If you catch the scratch with your fingernail, it likely extends into the paint layer.
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