Does minor scratches on a new car body require repainting?
2 Answers
Minor scratches on a new car body require repainting. If the paint is chipped due to scratches, it needs to be repainted; otherwise, over time, the exposed paint surface can be penetrated by rainwater, leading to rust and corrosion. Additional information: 1. If the car only has slight scratches that are not deep and only affect the outermost layer of paint, the scratched paint can be repaired by waxing. 2. If the base coat has been damaged and some of it has come off, you can try repairing the paint yourself. You will need to purchase a touch-up paint pen set online with the same color code, which includes all the necessary tools for touch-up, such as sandpaper, putty, polish, etc. 3. If the scratches have damaged the primer or even caused deformation, the situation is very serious. If not addressed promptly, it can lead to rust formation.
I accidentally scratched my new car a few days ago. The scratches aren’t very deep but are quite noticeable. I feel there’s no need to rush for a full repaint since it’s too expensive. Using a touch-up pen to cover those small dents should suffice for now. First, I’ll check if the damage has exposed the metal panel—if it’s just the surface paint that’s scratched, polishing it with some rubbing compound should restore it. I’ll also pay more attention to parking in less crowded spots and regularly wax the paint to prevent dust buildup from worsening the damage. The key is, although it’s heartbreaking for a new car, frequent repainting can actually shorten the lifespan of the original factory paint. It’s more cost-effective to handle major issues professionally later. For now, I’ll just drive safely—safety comes first, after all!
