Repairing Minor Scuffs on your Car

Over time cars are affected by the environment and do get damaged in everyday life. Even mud can make minor scuff marks on the paint work of your car. Walking past and accidentally bumping your car with something sharp in your hand, like a car key, can also be another common way of causing small scratches. Many of these can be fixed at home or by a professional repair center. In this article, we are going to look at repairing minor scuffs on your car.

What are the 3 Types of Paint Scratches?

Scratches on your car can be categorized into 3 main types of body paint scratches. Those are the clear coat scratch, primer scratch, and paint scratch. They are all different levels, or depths, of a scratch and indicate the level of repair needed. Sometimes the repairs can be done at home at a lower cost to you but other, more serious scratches will need a professional to ensure that it is done smoothly.

Clear Coat Scratch

All vehicles have a clear coat on the outside of the car to protect the paint and panels from the environment. Sun, rain, snow, and hail all make a huge impact on the vehicle. The sun in particular can dull color and makes paint brittle over time. A clear coat scratch is one the least worrying though. It is a fair minor scratch and is often repaired at home with a scratch repair kit or via one of the online services throughout the country that specializes in filler pens and the like.

Primer Scratch

Primer is another protective layer used by manufacturers. The primer coat provides another level of protection while also adding to a smooth and shiny finish. The purpose of the primer layer is to build up any areas for a better finish and ensure that the metal of the car’s body is not exposed to the elements. A scratch that exposes the primer is a sign of a deep scratch and one that will need to be sorted out sooner rather than later. There’s a chance that the car’s body will be exposed to moisture and air, putting it at risk of getting rust. Though someone who is a little more experienced in car repair will be able to use an advanced scratch repair kit ordered online, it would be best to take the car to a body repair shop.

Paint Scratch

A paint scratch is the worst one of them all. This is the deepest scratch. It is when the scratch has penetrated the clear coat and primer layer and exposed the metal of the car’s body. This requires immediate attention as the car is now a huge risk of getting rust and dust particles underneath the paint and coating layers. In this case we would strongly recommend going to a body repair shop for professional assistance as this is a severe issue that can lead to major problems for the car.

What is Rust and How to Remove it?

Rust, also known as iron oxide, happens when iron or metal objects containing iron are exposed to moisture and oxygen for long periods of time. Oxygen bonds with the iron in these ideal situations and forms what we know to be rust. Rust then “eats” away at the metal, making it crumble from just a touch. Clearly this is not great for cars, especially the body of the car since rust can make it dangerous to drive.

Rust is fairly slow though and can be dealt with in the early stages quite easily. Making it a treatable issue in the car world, but the best is to take preventative measures rather than dealing with rust at all.

If rust does appear on your car you will want to remove it with a specialized tool like the Equalizer Mounted Rust Removal Brush. This will allow you to remove the rust safely from the car, without damaging the panel. The rust might be more severe, in that case you will need to seal and repaint the affected area. Using  a specific rust converter which removes the rust by prompting a chemical reaction with the rust. The chemical reaction causes it to turn black and becomes a primer sealer. Once this has been done you can repaint the area.

Rust may continue to return if you have seen it on your car at some point. It would be a good idea to try to find covered parking for the car to ensure you lessen the chance of the rust returning.

In Conclusion

Try not to let your car stand out in the rain and snow, if at all possible. In snowy areas you will want to take precaution against the salt used to melt the snow down on the roads. Salt can lead to further corrosion and make an ideal home for rust.

The best is to be prepared for rust and deal with scratches as soon as you notice them. Taking your car in for regular cleans or detailing is a good idea if you are able to do so. This will ensure that the car is regularly waxed which can help prevent issues and scratches going unnoticed.

Why Investing in Extended Auto Protection is a Good Idea

Cars are used frequently and often succumb to wear and tear. Older vehicles are particularly at risk of a mechanical failure. Extended auto protection allows you to cover your car’s most important components once your factory car warranty has come to an end. Extended car warranties from your vehicle manufacturer typically only extend the powertrain plans and rarely have perks that come with the plans. A vehicle service contract is often referred to as an extended car warranty colloquially, however these are offered by the manufacturer as we mentioned. Auto protection plans, or vehicle service contracts, offer much greater flexibility in terms and provide practical perks at affordable rates.

Chaiz offers drivers the opportunity to compare, research, review and choose the protection plan best suited to their needs and budget. Vehicle service contracts are offered by third-party providers through the Chaiz marketplace where we aim to provide transparent information and rates.

Here are a few other reasons you should consider purchasing extended auto protection:

• Savings
• Higher Resale Value
• Added Benefits
• Peace of Mind
• Alleviate Cost of Ownership

What does Extended Auto Protection Cover?

An extended auto protection plan covers various parts of your vehicle. Starting from the most basic, a powertrain plan, to the most comprehensive, sometimes called a bumper-to-bumper or exclusionary plan. Chaiz has three tiers available for drivers. These are the powertrain, powertrain plus, and most comprehensive plans. The powertrain is the most basic plan and lasts the longest at the lowest rate, while the powertrain plus plan offers coverage for more parts at a slightly higher rate. The most comprehensive plan covers the majority of your car’s parts at the highest rate. Here are the common components covered under the powertrain and most comprehensive plan.

Powertrain warranty commonly covers:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Transfer case
• Driveshafts
• Axles
• Differentials
• Drive box

Most comprehensive commonly covers all parts but NOT the following:

• Windshield
• Wiper Blades
• Brake Pads
• Tires
• Body Panels
• Interior Trims
• Turn Signals
• Brake Lights
• Paint
• Regular Maintenance
• Accidental Damage

Auto protection plans are designed to alleviate the stress of having the repair bills occurring under unforeseen circumstances. Taking into account that mechanical issues do tend to happen in an unpredictable way it may be beneficial to shop around for an extended car warranty that will suit your needs.

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