Can Roadside Shrubs Scratch Car Paint?
2 Answers
Roadside shrubs can indeed scratch car paint. External forces like scraping or collisions can directly damage the paint. Additionally, chemical corrosion from substances such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid can also harm the paint, as can smoke from cooking and gas fumes. For scratches caused by roadside shrubs, a touch-up pen can be used for repair. Touch-up pens are one of the tools for fixing car scratches. They can handle minor, shallow scratches by covering them up. While the result won't match the original paint perfectly, it's much better than leaving the scratch untreated. Although touch-up pens can fill in gaps and block air contact with the car's surface, providing some rust prevention, they cannot replace professional automotive rust-proof paint. When using a touch-up pen, choose the correct color code that matches your car's original paint. Applying the touch-up pen to small scratches or areas where paint has chipped off can repair, conceal, and smooth out the damage. The composition of touch-up pens is typically the same as the original car paint, and because car models vary, each vehicle requires a specific touch-up pen designed for its make and model.
I've only been driving for a year, but that time I parked too close to the bushes, and a branch scratched a shallow mark on the paint, leaving small pits immediately. Don’t underestimate small bushes—their branches might have thorns or dust particles, acting like tiny sandpaper that can repeatedly wear down the paint. Especially when driving, if branches scrape the side of the car, the damage can be worse. I recommend maintaining distance when parking, and using protective wax or a car cover can help cushion the impact. If scratches occur, clean them first—shallow marks can be fixed with polishing paste, but deeper ones require professional repainting. Protecting your car’s paint saves repair costs, so regular checks and preventive measures are essential.
