Not all scratches are the same depth or require the same repair. At KITH Bodyworks in Hackbridge, the first step in any scratch assessment is establishing how far through the paint system the scratch has gone. The paint system on a modern vehicle has three distinct layers: a primer applied to the bare metal, a colour base coat on top of the primer, and a clear lacquer on top of the colour. The appropriate repair depends entirely on which layers are affected.
A scratch that has only disturbed the clear lacquer appears as a light, slightly hazy mark. These can often be polished out entirely using machine polishing techniques that remove a thin layer of the surrounding lacquer to bring it level with the scratch. No paint is used. The result, when done correctly, leaves no trace of the damage. This only works within limits: if the scratch is too deep for the lacquer to be levelled by removing a thin layer, it remains visible after polishing.
A scratch through the lacquer into the colour base coat, but not through to the primer, is usually within the scope of a SMART repair. The edges of the scratch are feathered back, the area is primed and sealed, and colour is applied within the SMART repair zone and blended into the surrounding panel. From £120 for an older vehicle, £160 for most vehicles.
A scratch through to bare metal is more urgent. Bare steel starts to oxidise within days in wet weather. A rust spot under the paint will eventually lift it from below. These scratches need a rust-inhibiting primer applied promptly, then filling, fairing and repainting. Depending on the length of the scratch, this may be a SMART repair or a full panel respray.
Stone chip damage on the bonnet or front bumper is extremely common. Small chips, individually minor, accumulate over time and collectively leave a lot of bare metal exposed to rusting. A targeted stone chip repair addresses multiple chips in a concentrated area. Each chip is cleaned, rust-treated if needed, filled and spot-painted. The result is not invisible at close inspection but it seals the chips effectively and prevents rust.
A long key scratch running the full length of a door or wing cannot be properly repaired as a SMART repair. The blending required to hide it would cover most of the panel anyway. A full panel respray at the relevant panel price gives a far better result and is the honest recommendation in those cases.
