How Car Scratch Depth Determines the Right Fix

River North Collision Repair • December 31, 2025

You see a fresh scratch on your car, you’re probably thinking, “How much is this going to cost me?” Well, that depends on a few circumstances, especially the depth of the scratch.

Understanding how car scratch depth determines the right fix can help you pick the right repair for your vehicle. Let's explore how to assess your scratch and choose the right fix for your situation.

The Three Levels of Car Scratches

Not all scratches are created equal; some barely graze the clear coat, while others may expose the paint or even the metal beneath. Knowing the depth of the scratch will help you determine the repairs needed to restore your car’s appearance.

Clear Coat Scratches (Surface Level)

Clear coat scratches are the most common and easiest to fix. These shallow marks only penetrate the protective clear coat on your car's paint. You can identify them using the fingernail test. Just run your nail across the scratch. If your nail doesn't catch, it's likely a clear coat scratch.

These scratches often result from:

Automatic car washes with dirty brushes
Tree branches or bushes
Road debris

You can fix these with basic DIY kits since they are just surface-level problems.

Paint Scratches (Medium Depth)

Paint scratches cut through the clear coat and into the colored paint layer underneath. Your fingernail will catch when you run it across these scratches, and you might see a different color showing through.

Common causes include:

Door dings from other car doors
Keying or vandalism
Deeper contact with shopping carts or bikes
Careless loading of equipment

Repair options: These scratches need touch-up paint that matches your car's specific color code, which you can find on the door jamb sticker. Touch-up pens cost $15–30, while professional spot painting runs $100–300.

Primer and Metal Scratches (Deep Gouges)

The most serious scratches cut through clear coat, paint, and primer—sometimes reaching bare metal. These gouges require immediate attention because exposed metal will rust, creating bigger problems down the road.

These typically happen from:

Accidents or collisions
Severe vandalism
Sharp objects dragging against the car
Major impacts from road debris

Always go to a professional for deep gouges. They have the proper tools to repair the problem without damaging other parts of your car.

When To Visit a Professional

DIY might seem like a cheaper option, but professional services ensure the repair is done right without any additional damage. You should visit an auto repair shop if the scratch is curved, a deep gouge exposes the metal, or the scratch is longer than eight inches.

Visit River North Collision Repair for reliable car scratch repair in Chicago. Our expert team can help perfectly match your vehicle’s paint and return it looking better than ever. Call us today to learn more about our services.

Your Next Step for Scratch-Free Driving

Knowing your scratch depth puts you in control of repair decisions and costs. Start with the fingernail test, then choose your approach based on urgency and your comfort level with DIY repairs. Follow these tips to save money and improve your car’s value.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.