What is the Difference Between Artificial Scratches and Natural Scratches on Cars?
3 Answers
The differences between artificial scratches and natural scratches are as follows: 1. Shape of the scratches: Artificial scratches are generally irregular and wavy, while natural scratches tend to be more regular. Additionally, in terms of the area of the scratches, artificial scratches are usually smaller in area, whereas natural scratches cover a larger area. 2. Depth of the scratches: The depth at both ends of artificial scratches is relatively consistent, whereas the depth on either side of natural scratches may vary. It's important to note that these judgment methods are not absolute in reality. For example, scratches caused by tree branches can closely resemble artificial ones, so specific scratches should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
I've been driving for fifteen years and encountered quite a few scratches, feeling that man-made and natural ones are quite different. Man-made scratches are like that time I parked by the roadside and found someone had randomly scratched it with a key the next day—deep marks with chaotic lines, clearly caused by external force or accidents, appearing in random spots like the side door or roof, making repairs troublesome and potentially exposing the metal layer to rust. Natural scratches, on the other hand, are those small, shallow, and uniform marks left by pebbles hitting the car on highways or branches brushing past, mostly accumulating on the hood or around the body over time due to weathering. The biggest difference lies in prevention: man-made scratches require careful parking and avoiding crowded areas, while natural ones demand regular washing and waxing to protect the paint. Otherwise, bird droppings or UV rays can worsen them faster. I stick to monthly maintenance to prevent minor issues from escalating, as they affect both the car’s value and safety—timely touch-ups and polishing are key.
The appearance of scratches makes them easy to distinguish. I've seen many cars with man-made scratches, such as those from accidents or random vandalism—these are deep with sharp edges, possibly linear or scattered, appearing randomly and clearly caused by external force. It's essential to check the metal layer to prevent rust. Natural scratches, like those from flying stones or tree sap corrosion, are shallower and smoother, evenly distributed on commonly exposed areas, such as fine web-like patterns on the hood. For repair, light natural scratches can often be fixed with gentle polishing, but deep man-made ones usually require professional repainting. To prevent natural scratches, wash your car regularly to remove contaminants and park in the shade during summer to reduce bird droppings. For man-made scratches, park in monitored areas away from tree branches and use a car cover frequently. Paying attention to these small details can save you from costly major repairs.
