Scratch & Paint Repair Cost
Scratch repair costs depend on the depth of the scratch (clear coat only, through to primer, or down to bare metal) and the number of panels affected. Modern automotive paint systems use a basecoat/clearcoat process, and proper repair requires color matching, blending into adjacent panels, and clear coat application.
Damage Severity Levels
Minor
Lowest cost, often DIY-ableClear coat scratches only -- can be buffed out
Moderate
Single panel repaintThrough clear coat to primer -- requires paint
Severe
Multi-panel repaint with blendDown to bare metal, multiple panels, key scratches
Repair Methods
- ▶ Clear coat scratch buffing -- surface-level scratches can be machine-polished out ($50-$150)
- ▶ Touch-up paint -- small chips and scratches are filled with matching paint ($20-$50 DIY)
- ▶ Single panel respray -- the damaged panel is sanded, primed, base-coated, and clear-coated
- ▶ Multi-panel blend -- adjacent panels are blended to ensure seamless color matching
Cost by Vehicle
Related Damage Types
Bumper Repair & Replacement
Front and rear bumper damage from collisions, parking incidents, and fender benders.
Dent Repair & PDR
Paintless dent repair and traditional dent removal for door dings, hail damage, and minor impacts.
Fender Repair & Replacement
Front fender dents, scratches, and full replacements from sideswipes and parking damage.
Repair Costs by Vehicle
Find repair costs specific to your vehicle make and model.
Labor Rates by State
Costs vary by location. Check body shop rates for your state.
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