What to Do When Your Car Is Scratched by a Branch?
4 Answers
Wet the sandpaper and gently sand the dirt at the scratched area. Make sure to sand thoroughly and completely remove all the dirt. After cleaning the dirt, apply the touch-up pen on paper to match the color with the car body. Use a cleaning pad to thoroughly clean the area that needs touch-up. Unscrew the upper part of the touch-up pen cap and apply the paint evenly with the brush. Apply thin layers, about 2-3 layers should suffice.
Once my car was parked under a tree and ended up with a pretty deep scratch from a branch, which was really annoying. I tried to fix it myself: first, I thoroughly cleaned the scratched area with car wash soap to make sure there were no leftover branches or dirt; then I bought a car scratch repair paste, squeezed a little onto a soft cloth, and gently rubbed it in circles for about 15 minutes as per the instructions; after it dried, I polished it with a clean cloth. Light scratches usually disappear, while deeper ones might only fade a bit. DIY saves money—the tools are cheap, costing just a few dozen bucks, and the process is simple with tutorials available online. The key is not to use hard objects that could further damage the paint. Remember to check the surrounding paint for any damage and, in the future, try to park in tree-free areas or use a car cover. Ignoring scratches long-term can affect the car’s appearance and even lead to rust, so timely treatment is important.
When it comes to dealing with car scratches caused by branches, I recommend first assessing the depth of the scratches: lightly touch the area, and if your finger feels a smooth surface that can regain its shine, try polishing and waxing; if you feel a groove, the base coat may be damaged and a repaint is necessary. I usually clean the car surface first, then evenly apply polishing wax or scratch remover, using a polisher at a slow speed to avoid excessive wear on the paint. Be careful not to use water sandpaper or corrosive products, as they can easily cause color differences and rust spots. Minor scratches can usually be fixed by yourself in about an hour, while severe ones may require a visit to an auto detailing shop for repainting, with costs ranging from 300 to 1000 yuan. Don’t forget to check if the car cover is intact, and I recommend monthly paint maintenance using professional protectants to reduce similar risks. Delaying repairs not only looks bad but can also accumulate dirt and worsen the damage.
I once encountered a situation where my car got scratched by tree branches, and my first thought was to save money. For minor scratches, I handled it myself: I bought a scratch repair kit online for a few dozen yuan, which included cleaner, repair paste, and polishing cloth. I applied it and rubbed repeatedly until the scratches were reduced. For deeper scratches, I went to a small roadside shop for a paint job, which was much cheaper than a 4S dealership, costing only two to three hundred yuan. I considered filing an insurance claim if the damage was significant, which required a police report, but it often wasn’t worth it due to the high deductible. For prevention, I park in open areas and added a transparent protective film to the car to prevent scratches, which is more cost-effective. Overall, it’s important not to delay handling such issues, as small problems can accumulate into major troubles, affecting daily use and the car’s resale value.
