Car dents and scratches are a fact of life for anyone who owns their own vehicle, whether running errands around Aberdeen or commuting to Baltimore for work. Once you drive off the lot of your Jeep dealer, expect to see car scratches occasionally. From road debris to automatic car washes, assessing and promptly fixing scratches will keep your car in good condition for years.
How To Fix Car Dents and Scratches
When you notice a scrape on your car, you should evaluate the type and depth of the scratch in order to select the best damage repair remedy. While you might not be able to fix it yourself, evaluating the damage based on the three factory finish layers that come standard on modern cars: the primer layer at the bottom, a color base coat, and a top coat of clear lacquer.
Minor Scrapes to the Clear Coat
The top layer of your car’s finish is a clear gloss coat that protects from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and environmental factors that can cause oxidation (e.g.: moisture and contaminants). Top-layer scratches are typically superficial and leave underlying color layers intact. Common sources of damage can be anything and everything, from rogue shopping carts to windswept branches or trash.
A clear coat scratch can be fixed fairly easily with a scratch removal kit. Simply apply the rubbing compound from the kit to the mark, polish, and wax and your Jeep will look as good as new.
Moderate Base Coat Paint Scratches
Scratches that have gone through the top layer clear coat will damage the underlying color base coat. Typically, base coat paint scratches involve objects that hit your car with more force, such as another driver that parks too close to your vehicle and accidentally opens their door into yours. Additionally, clear coat scratches that weren’t fixed promptly can spread and cause damage to the base coat.
Fixing base coat paint scratches involves applying multiple layers of touch-up paint until the scratch is filled. After, the area should be sanded, buffed, and polished so it seamlessly blends into the rest of your car’s paint job.
Deep Car Scratches Should Be Fixed at a Jeep Dealer
If your car has significant damage to the primer coat, metal or plastic will be exposed and should be fixed by a professional ASAP to prevent further deterioration. While Jeeps are known for their ability to withstand harsh conditions, ignoring a scrape during a salt-heavy winter can leave a bigger dent in your wallet when it is fixed.
Keeping your Jeep’s paint job in good condition is just as important as changing the oil. If you notice a scratch or dent on your finish, contact the body shop professionals at Adams Jeep of Maryland for an appointment today!
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