How Long Will It Take
The time it takes to repair the damage can vary.
Small jobs with only a few dents are usually completed within a few hours.
Larger projects, such as extensive hail damage or cases where multiple panels have several dents, dings, or scratches, can take several days to repair.
To make things more convenient for you we offer free loaner cars , and if they are all in use, we have preferred rates with Enterprise so that you can still get around town while your vehicle is in our trusted hands.
Uptown Automotive goes above and beyond to ensure that we provide a quality, reasonably priced, transparent service to our customers.
If you are in the Houston, Texas area, and your vehicle needs dent or scratch repairs, we are confident we can restore any dent or scratch back to a factory finish.
Come in and see why we have been rated a 5-star service for over 4 years running!
To request your FREE Estimate appointment either in person or over the phone, click the, Request a Quote Today, button below and fill out the form for our trained and certified technicians can contact you and discuss further details about your specific vehicle.
Scratch Type : Scuffs
Scuffs are a collection of very light surface scratches that have only damaged the clear coat of the paint job. To find out if the scuffs have only damaged your clear coat, rub with spit and see if the scuffs vanish.
The fix: You can get rid of these yourself with some rubbing compound from an auto parts store. Or have an auto body shop do it for you .
How Much To Repair Car Scratches
No two scratches are alike, and determining what your car scratch repair cost will depend on a number of factors, most importantly is the type of paint scratch damage on your car.
- SCUFFS
Car manufacturers apply a clear coat over the paint to improve durability and gloss, and scratches that only very lightly damage the clear coat are the easiest and cheapest to fix. Scuffs may be harder to spot than deeper scratches because there is no change in color from the scratch. This depth of scratch can usually be repaired by hand buffing or polishing. Scratch Wizard estimates auto body shops charge less than $100 on average to repair scuffs.
- CLEAR-COAT SCRATCHES
A mark that has more deeply scratched clear coat is a little more difficult to repair, but not by much. If there is no change in color when you look at the scratch, the primer and metal underneath the clear coat are still safe, so you wonât need any touch-up paint for the scratched area. These scratches can be polished down until they are almost invisible, but never fully removed. These types of scratches also usually cost less than $100 for professional repair at an auto body shop.
- PAINT SCRATCHES
- DEEP PAINT SCRATCHES
Also Check: Where To Copy Car Key
Video Tutorial: How To Repair Deep Car Scratches For Only $50
Step 1: Getting the paint
Start by locating your cars paint code. It might be on the side of the door jamb, glove box, or trunk. Sometimes it is hard to find. Here is a sample label that can be found on Honda. There are a lot of numbers on the label and it might be difficult to figure out which one is the color code. The paint color code for this car is YR562PX.
If you feel confused about color codes, you can just go to the site that sales auto paint and find your color code by selecting make, model and the year of your car. Even if the site displays a few blue color codes, it will be easier for you to compare it to the label and see if one of the codes is there.
After youve found the code, it is time to order a touch-up paint. Touch-up paint comes; in spray can, paint pen, or in a bottle with a brush. Spray painting is the most effective way to repair a deep paint scratch. For small area, you really dont need a lot of paint, so 12 oz spray can should be more than enough. You can buy it online or at the dealership. If you trying to stay under $50, you should definitely order everything online.
Step 2: Preparing the area
Check for rust. If you noticed rust development, use rust remover. Dont forget to wear gloves when working with chemicals. Apply rust remover and let it penetrate the rust for about 10 min. Rinse off the area with clean water.
Step 3: Masking
Step 3: Sanding
Step 4: Prep solvent
Step 5: Applying Primer
Note: Primer covers 180-320 grit sand scratches.
Get A Quote For Mobile Scratch Repair In Sydney
As the majority of our car scratch repairs in Sydney cost less than $500, can be completed in between 1 to 4 hours, and can be done at your home or workplace, theres no reason to not get a quote! For a fast quote, follow these 3 steps:
If you have any questions or want to know more about our services, call us on .
Recommended Reading: Columbos Car
How Professionals Remove Car Scratches
When you want perfect, showroom-finish results, full professional car scratch repair is the way to go. It involves first sanding the entire body panel that has scratches, then applying primer, then sanding and cleaning again, then applying the base coat with the correct OEM paint code, and finally applying several layers of clear coat. Both car dealerships and auto body shops can do this for you. Some of the other car scratch repair options that professionals may offer include the use of rubbing compounds, car scratch repair kits, touchup paint, and airbrushing.
Diy With Touch Up Paint For Auto Scratch Repair
Touching up your scratched auto paint may seem daunting, but it is really quite simple, and will cost just a fraction of what the auto body shop charges. High quality auto scratch repair paint starts at less than $15, and can be used to repair multiple auto scratches. What other costs might you expect?
The following is a typical order for an auto scratch repair kit on our site:
Your bill would be as follows:
Paint Pen Basecoat : $14.95Clearcoat : $7.59Total auto scratch repair kit cost: $27.49
You May Like: Is Car Warranty Worth It
How Much Do Car Paint Repairs Cost
How much do car paint repairs cost?
Article by Matilda Douglas-Henry
A slick, high-quality paint job is a surefire way to feel good about your car and its value. Paint damage is one of the most common external issues for a vehicle, and also one of the hardest for a vehicle owner to control: when youre driving on a dirt road and pieces of debris hit your guards and quarter panelsor hail damages your cars bonnet when parked overnighttheres only so much you can do. Luckily, the damage is more often than not aesthetic and does no harm to your cars internal mechanics, and its such a regular problem that DingGo can have you fixed and back on the road as soon as possible.;
Here you will find a guide to paint repair costs, including:;
How Much Will My Car Paint Repair Cost
There is a lot to consider when it comes to the cost of car paint repairs. The extent of the damage, the make and model of your vehicle, and the location of the point of impact all play a huge role in determining a price. Metallic paint, for example, will automatically result in a higher cost.;
Most repair shops use S.M.A.R.T , which means that they will be able to achieve a high-quality result without having to remove the entire panel for localised damage. However, in some cases not only do parts need to be removed for paint repair, they may need to be replaced entirely. You can pay anywhere between approximately $160 and $2500 for paint repair, and well break down these costs comprehensively below, accounting for as many factors as possible.;
Please note that the following are rough estimates.;
Car Bumper Bars;Repair Costs;
You can find out more about bumper repairs here. For an exact quote on your bumper repairs try our quick quote service.
Car Doors;Repair Costs;
- $480-$700 for a small, localised repair.;
- $600-$1000 if the door needs to be painted, and adjoining panels blended.;
- $900-$1700 if the door needs to be painted and surrounding panels blended, and the damage is significant enough to require major repairs .;
Car Guards ;Repair Costs;
Read Also: How Much Does An Automatic Car Wash Cost
Rocks And Road Debris
In areas with bad, broken-up roads or in places with ongoing construction, car scratches can also be caused by rocks and road debris. These small rocks/pebbles or bits of road debris can get trapped in tire treads and hurled into the air at other vehicles on the road. The scratches caused by such flying rocks and road debris are often deep because of the speeds at which they get kicked up.
Why Is Auto Body Repair So Expensive
It does one good to note that these auto body repair cost estimates are only a basic guide individual cases can vary widely, depending on several factors. As with any other specialty, auto body repair requires special tools and equipment and extensive training. Auto body repair takes time and, with labor costs ranging between $75 and $150 per hour, it’s easy to see how just labor can significantly inflate the cost of auto body repair.
Luxury cars are always more expensive to repair with pricier parts and additional technology and finishing processes. Crash sensors, parking sensors, and other technology might be damaged in even minor accidents, which drives up the price of parts. Also, extensive repairs arent always obvious from outward appearances. Even a good-faith best-estimate might need to be adjusted if the technician finds hidden damage on pulling body panels or other covers.
One of the best things you can do is consider getting at least one;second opinion, particularly if you must pay out-of-pocket in some cases, you might even be able to do the repair yourself. Insurance companies cannot require you to have your vehicle repaired at a specific shop, so feel free to shop around. A good place to start is an online estimator tool, such as Instant Estimator or Fleet Services Group Online Bodyshop Estimating Tool.
Don’t Miss: How Do I Get My Car Title In Florida
Ask Yourself If It Is Worth The Trouble
If your car has suffered a great deal of body damage, you might want to ask yourself if it is even worth it to get the scratches repaired. If your car is your only mode of transportation and you cannot afford a new one, you can always choose to just live with the damages until you can afford to replace it.
Determining The Type Of Damage
Your vehicles exterior is made up of four different layers: the clear coat, paint, primer, and metal body. Scratches that penetrate each of these four layers will appear differently depending on the color of your vehicle.
Step 1: Check for depth. Being able to determine the depth of a scratch is extremely important because the the depth will affect both the difficulty and cost of the repair.
The above diagram is helpful for visualizing the layers of your vehicles exterior and how a scratch affects each layer.
Paint chips are usually no larger than the size of an eraser on a pencil. Without being treated and repaired, however, they can begin to oxidize. This allows moisture to permeate underneath the paint around the paint chip. Rust will form on steel surfaces and a much more extensive repair will be required to restore the area to its original condition.
- Tip: If you are having trouble determining how deep the scratch is, a good rule of thumb is to assume its one level deeper than you think. For example, if youre not sure if a scratch has gone through your clear coat and paint, base your repairs as if it has gone through both layers. This way you can guarantee that the correct repair was made.
- Tip: Obtain your touch-up paint from a reputable automotive parts retailer or body shop. Match it up with your cars paint code that you will find on a placard under the hood or on the drivers side door pillar.
Don’t Miss: How Much To Change Interior Of Car
Car Door Ding/dent Repair Costs
Door damage is one of the most common types of repairs. Car doors make up the majority of the surface area and are in prime position to take damage from stray shopping carts or other car doors.
If you have small dents or dings in your door, it can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 to repair it at an autobody shop, depending on the number of dents and their severity.
Thanks to a revolutionary technique called paintless dent repair, automotive dents and dings can now be repaired for a small percentage of what it would have previously cost. We will discuss this process more later in this article.
Removing A Scratch With Toothpaste
Clean the area of the scratch thoroughly and make sure the car is completely dry before you begin.
You should always use whitening toothpaste and a microfiber cloth. Rub the toothpaste in small circles and distribute it equally. Only use a small amount of pressure as you scrub. When you are done, you should wash the area again and clean it with a microfiber towel. You may have to repeat the process a few times.
Read Also: What Is An Equus Car
Understand The Layers Of Your Cars Paint; Understand The Damage
Gaining an understanding of the different layers of your cars paint will help you to know how to deal with the scratches on your cars surface. Some scratches, depending on how deep they are, may require you to fully repaint your cars exterior. Read our complete guide to car scratches for more information.
Most of todays production vehicles have three layers of paint: the primer, the base coat, and the clear coat.
Painting Over Deep Scratches
Recommended Reading: How Much Does An Equus Bass 770 Cost
How To Get Rid Of Scratches On A Car Step By Step Removal
It does not matter whether your car is brand new or has been running longer than you have been alive, there are few things that can cause the same type of annoyance as a paint scuff or scratch. Scratches can show up on your car from seemingly nowhere, and can be costly to repair. However, there are many alternative solutions to coughing up the big bucks at a body shop. Next time you notice a fresh and out-of-place cut on the body of your car, just try one of these suggestions.
How Deep Is It
Even more than its length, its the depth of a scratch that determines if a DIY fix is possible. Deeper scratches mean more damage has been done, and the job of correcting it is also more complex. If it runs deeper than just beneath the surface, it may be best left to the professionals.
A cars factory paint finish is usually made up of three layers. The first layer will consist of a primer and corrosion preventer, and this supports the colour layer, helping it adhere to the cars metalwork. The top layer is a clear coat, or lacquer, which gives the car its shine and lustre. Each of these layers can be made of several coats, and applying special finishes such as metallic, pearlescent and flip colours can be very involving.
If you gently run your fingernail over a scratch, and its depth feels no greater than the thickness of a piece of paper, it could be that only the clearcoat lacquer is damaged a relatively straightforward issue to fix.
With deeper scratches , the base coat and primer may have been penetrated and there could even be bare metal. In severe cases, damage like this may need professional attention.
You May Like: What Kind Of Car Did Columbo Drive
How Much Does Car Paint Repair Cost
So you found a ding in your cars paint. Maybe you put it there, maybe someone else did. Its not the worst thing in the world, but it sure does make your nice, shiny toy feel a bit less magnificent. If youve never had to deal with this before now, youre probably wondering, How much does car paint repair cost? There are quite a few factors that play into what that number will be in your specific situation, and Im going to break it down for you!;
