What to Do If You Scratched Someone Else's Car Paint?
4 Answers
You can purchase a touch-up paint pen to repair the scratch. The touch-up process doesn't take too long and can be completed in about two hours. The DIY touch-up method is as follows: 1. First, clean the scratched area of the car. 2. Soak the sandpaper in water and wrap it with a hard cotton cloth. Then, use the wrapped sandpaper to smooth the scratched area until you feel no unevenness compared to the surrounding paint. 3. Prepare tape and a cloth to cover areas that don't need touch-up. 4. Start spraying the paint. Sprayed paint can make the car's surface smoother, which is hard to achieve by simply brushing with the pen. When spraying, ensure you spray back and forth and avoid spraying heavily in one spot.
The other day I saw a fender bender in the neighborhood parking lot. Honestly, there are three key things to focus on—attitude, procedure, and follow-up. First, attitude: stopping the engine and turning on hazard lights is basic etiquette—never flee the scene. Remember that news story two years ago where the hit-and-run driver had their license revoked immediately? Next, procedure: quickly take five-angle photos—a panoramic shot of the collision area, both vehicles' license plates, skid marks on the road, and close-ups of the contact points. This set is essential for insurance claims. If the other owner isn't present, leave a handwritten note on their windshield with your phone number and 'willing to take responsibility.' Regarding repairs, here's the deal: small-area touch-up painting is quite advanced now. While dealerships charge at least 700-800 RMB for full-panel repainting, professional quick-service shops can do spot repairs for 200-300 RMB without damaging the factory paint. Finally, never transfer compensation privately—always get a repair invoice for reimbursement. My neighbor's daughter did exactly this last week—not only was there no dispute, she even received a thank-you text from the other party.
Last month, I accompanied a friend to handle a similar situation. The process wasn't complicated, but there were many tricky details. The first step is to assess the extent of the scratch: if it's just a coin-sized paint chip, you can try using scratch wax for remediation—after all, automotive paint technology has advanced, and some clear coat damage can be restored. If the primer is exposed, don't hesitate; contact the other car owner immediately to negotiate. During negotiations, clearly determine liability—if you hit a stationary vehicle while reversing, you're almost certainly fully at fault. A special reminder here: always take photos of the other party's driver's license and vehicle registration to avoid dealing with unlicensed vehicles. Insurance claims are now handled via apps. When uploading photos of the scene, remember to include GPS coordinates and focus on clearly capturing the first six digits of the other vehicle's VIN—insurance adjusters use this to determine the model and value. Here's a lesser-known fact about repairs: metallic paint for light-colored cars is 30% more expensive than regular solid paint, with white pearl paint being the most costly. Recording the entire process is crucial for protection—I've seen too many cases of verbal promises being broken.
As a seasoned driver who's dealt with three scrapes, here's some practical advice. First and foremost, keep calm - last year I scraped a Bentley in the parking garage without panicking: immediately called the number left on the car to apologize, and used lipstick to circle the scratch while waiting for the owner. Key point! Always have the insurance adjuster assess damages on-site, never trust 'we'll pay later' promises - a Jaguar owner learned this the hard way. For bodywork damage, check dent depth - anything over 5mm requires interior panel removal for proper repair. Regarding repair options: imported cars should go back to the 4S dealership, while regular cars are better served at quick repair shops with paint booths. Remember not to polish newly painted surfaces - let them cure for at least seven days. Personal tip: after exchanging numbers, offer to compensate for lost time - the other party often becomes more accommodating. Last time I paid 500 yuan for a BMW's paint protection film, and the owner actually referred clients to me afterwards.
