Does the chassis need to be repainted if it is scratched?

[SpencerLee]

Whether the chassis needs to be repainted after being scratched depends on the location. If the scratch occurs on plastic parts such as the front or rear bumper, immediate repainting is not necessary. However, if the scratch is on metal parts like the fender or door and has damaged the primer, repainting should be done promptly. Reasons for repainting scratched metal parts: Metal will rust quickly when directly exposed. Even if repainting is done after rusting occurs, it will shorten the lifespan and cause greater losses than the initial scratch. Chassis maintenance tips: Moderate installation of protective plates can effectively shield the engine compartment from damage, but excessive installation may impair engine cooling. Applying a chassis sealant can effectively resist corrosion and oxidation, reducing the impact of external chemical factors.

[ColtonFitz]

Last time when I scraped the undercarriage on a mountain road, I was also debating whether to touch up the paint. Actually, undercarriage scratches should be assessed case by case: if it's just the plastic skid plate that got scuffed, you can leave it alone since these materials are inherently corrosion-resistant; but if metal parts like the fuel tank or exhaust pipe lose their paint coating, you should take it seriously, as rust can compromise safety. Personally, after every scrape, I use a flashlight to carefully inspect the depth of the damage—if I see bare silver metal, I immediately apply undercarriage protective coating, solving a major hazard for just a few dozen yuan. Remember, the undercarriage is constantly exposed to rain and mud, so if the protective layer is compromised, address it promptly. Otherwise, in six months when rust eats through, the repair costs will be much higher.

[McEloise]

As a frequent rural driver, my undercarriage has been scraped by rocks seven or eight times. Whether to touch up the paint depends on the damage location: plastic parts like engine guards with scratched paint can be completely ignored; while metal areas near suspension rods or brake fluid lines need immediate attention. Once I neglected scratches near the fuel tank, and six months later, small rust holes appeared, costing me a full 700 yuan to repair. Now I always keep anti-rust spray cans for the undercarriage and apply a layer myself whenever metal is exposed. Actually, new cars come with factory-applied undercarriage protective coatings. Although touch-up paint can't match the original coating's effectiveness after being scraped off, it's still far better than leaving it to rust.

[LouisLynn]

Don't panic about scratches on the chassis! Last time at the repair shop, I saw 30% of car owners wasting money. Materials like aluminum alloy components and underbody protection panels aren't affected by scratches in terms of functionality. Key areas to inspect are: fuel pipe connections around the fuel tank, drive shaft mounting brackets, and exhaust pipe hanger bolt points. These areas are prone to water accumulation and rust if paint is chipped, requiring immediate attention. It's recommended to use a lift at the repair shop to check scratch depth - only proceed with repainting if it exceeds 0.5mm. Vehicles parked in garages can have lower rustproofing requirements, but those frequently driven in rainy/snowy regions need serious treatment.