Scratched paint is a pretty common thing for cars. It’s so common that you might go for weeks without noticing a new scratch. But then what?

Are paint scratches something to worry about?

Yes and no.

Scratches are worrisome if you notice them appearing regularly. You obviously want to find the cause so you can address it. But there’s still no need to panic. Scratches in a car’s finish are easily repaired. Just identify how serious a scratch is and then apply an appropriate remedy.

There are 4 levels of scratches recognized by the pros:

• Level 1 – These are minor scratches that only appear in the clear coat (top layer) of your finish. They can be quickly polished out.

• Level 2 – These scratches penetrate the clear coat layer and reach the paint layer. They can also be polished out.

• Level 3 – Scratches that run as deep as the primer are Level 3 scratches. They require touch-up paint and polishing.

• Level 4 – The most serious are Level 4 scratches. They go right down to bare metal. They require primer, touch up paint, clear coat, and polishing.

Polishing Too Much

It’s worth noting that you can polish too much, thus wearing down the clear coat and exposing your car’s paint to UV rays. If you do so, you will know because you will see a dull patch where the paint has been exposed. You can fix it by applying a new layer of clear coat and then polishing that layer until it is smooth.

Scratches in your car’s finish are nothing to worry about. They can be fixed quite easily. You only need to worry if new scratches keep appearing. Then it’s time for a little investigating!