Scratch or Dent? What Can Be Fixed with a Touch-Up
Not every scratch needs a full panel respray. Here’s how to judge the damage on your car before you visit a workshop.
The fingernail test
Run your fingernail gently across the scratch:
- Nail doesn’t catch — it’s probably only in the clear coat. It can often be polished out.
- Nail catches slightly — the scratch has reached the colour coat. A touch-up or spot repair usually works.
- You can see grey or bare metal — it’s through to the primer or metal. The area needs to be filled, primed and resprayed to stop rust.
When a touch-up is enough
Touch-ups work well for stone chips on the bonnet, small kerb marks on bumpers and light scratches smaller than a few centimetres. They’re quick and affordable.
When you need a panel respray
Long key scratches, scratches across several panels, or any damage that has reached the metal usually need the panel to be resprayed and blended into the surrounding paint so the colour matches perfectly.
What about dents?
Small car-park dings without paint damage can sometimes be pushed out. Dents with cracked or scratched paint need to be repaired and then resprayed. Plastic bumpers can often be repaired rather than replaced, which saves money.
Not sure?
Send us a photo on WhatsApp — we’ll tell you which repair you need and what it costs, free of charge.