Cars are expensive to maintain. Even small kinds of issues can cause you thousands of dollars. Getting a scratch on your car is the most annoying thing to happen in a day. No one likes to go to the auto body shops.
Often small incidents or minor accidents can scratch your car. Rarely, it’s a bad thing who did it just for fun or anger. No matter what, getting a scratch removed is going to cost you a good amount of money.
Average Costs of Buffing out a Scratch in 2023
How much does it cost to buff out a scratch in a car? The average cost of a full scratch repair is $3,500 in 2023. But fear not! This is just an average cost. The actual cost of buffing out a scratch depends on several things.
There are different types of scratches you can get on your car. Depending on the type of your car scratch, your cost will be different. The removal cost will also vary depending on these two things,
- Doing it Yourself; DIY Cost.
- Hire a professional to do the work.
Car Body Scratch Repair Cost Summary
There are 4 ways you can repair your car scratches. Here are all the types of scratch and repair costs given below in a shortlist:
| Cost Type | DIY Cost | Professional Cost |
| Scuff & Clear Coat Scratches | $15-$20 | $100-$300 |
| Primer/Paint Layer Cost | $400-$1,000 | $120 |
| Deep Paint Scratch | $775 | $2,500 |
| Alloy Wheel Scratch | $100 | $150-$200 |
| The Average Cost | $3,500 | $3,900 |
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Fix Chipped Paint on a Car?
Type #1: Scuffs and Clear Coat Scratches
These are just light scratches. A scuff is a scratch that only affects the top layer of the paint. We call it a Clear Coat Scratch if the scuff is just a little bit bigger or more deeper. These are more or less the same type of scratches.
These are the least expensive types of scratches to remove. These types of scratches don’t change the color of the paint; the primer and the metal underneath are also safe.
Hiring a professional to repair scuffs and clear coat scratches can cost you anything from around $100 to $300 in 2023. You can get a basic scratch removal kit from the autobody shops near you for around $15 to $20 and repair it yourself (DIY).
Note: No touch-up paint is needed for this type of scratch.
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Type #2: Primer or Paint Layer Scratches
These types of scratches are deeper than scuffs. These types of scratches reach the paint layer but don’t affect the metal underneath. These are a little more expensive to repair.
Hiring a professional to paint a layer of scratches will cost you anywhere between $400 to $1,000. If you have some experience in removing scratches, you can do it for less than $100, with the proper kits. You need some buffing tools and touch-up paint.
Related: How Much Will it Cost to Repair a Dent in My Car?
Type #3: Deep Paint Scratch
These are the scratches that penetrate the whole layer of the paint and reach the metal underneath. It’s not anything like the surface scratches. It’s a very deep scratch. These are the most expensive to repair.
It’s a deep scratch so I recommend going to a professional to get this done. Because you need the proper expertise and tools to get it done. So, go to an auto body shop. Going to a professional will cost you as much as $2,500 to fully repair the deep scratch.
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Rear Bumper Cover?
Type #4: Alloy Wheel Scratch
Alloy wheels are prone to scratches. These are mostly minor scratches on the alloy wheels. Repairing an alloy wheel scratch will cost you around $150 for single wheels up to 20 inches in size and, $200 for single wheels 21+ inches in size in recent years.
Related: How Much Does It Cost to Replace Car Headlight Bulbs?
Four Factors that Affect the Scratch Repair Cost in 2023
Here are 4 important factors that affect the price of scratch repair:
- The damage itself, its severity, and its size can affect the repair cost.
- The place where the scratch on your car is located can affect your cost.
- Quality & Type of paint used in the process.
- The place where you live.
Related: What is the Repair Cost for an Engine Oil Leak?
How to Protect Your Car Easily from Scratches in 2023
Protecting your car from scratches will be the most beneficial thing you can do. You can save a lot of money by following these four tips.
- Using a paint protection film is the best tool to protect your car from scratches.
- Use micro-fiber when cleaning your car.
- Park safely away from moving objects and other vehicles.
- Don’t park in crowded places.
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Get a Speedometer Fixed?
Does Insurance Cover my Scratch Repair Cost?
This depends on the type of insurance that you have. If you have good comprehensive insurance for your car, there is a very good chance that your insurance company will cover it. Different insurance companies have their requirements in this regard.
If you can prove that there was an accident and the scratch happened for accidental reasons, the insurance companies might cover your repair cost.
Go and research the companies in your area and their packages. Also, check the history of their payments. Get comprehensive collision insurance and look for the one that is a perfect match for you.
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Straight Pipe a Diesel Truck?
The average premium insurances are different in different companies. The average car insurance cost in The United States is $1,674 per year and $1,320 in Canada.
How much does a paint touch-up cost?
A paint touch-up can cost you $200 to $350 if you hire a professional and less if you do it yourself.
How much does a key scratch repair cost?
According to the Auto Market report in 2023, a key scratch removal will cost you around $150 to $300.
How much does it cost to repair scratches on my car door?
Doors are the most usual place to get a scratch on a car. Doors tend to get scratched while opening in tight places or crowded areas. Repairing a scratch from a car door will cost you around $150 to $200.
How much does it cost to repaint a scratched bumper?
Bumpers are commonplace to get scratches. In the best-case scenario, repairing a bumper scratch will cost you $50 to $100.
How much does it Cost to Fix a Small Scratch on a Car?
Fixing a small scratch is easy. You can go you an auto body shop to repair it professionally for less than $100. If you choose to do the work yourself, you can get it done for under $20 with some small scratch repair tools.
Related: How Much Does it Cost to Replace Rocker Panels And Cab Corners?
Final Cost Analysis of Buffing Out a Scratch 2023
Here we cover all the buffing out scratches on car costs with both small scratches and deep scratches. Share your valuable information and experience about how you repair your car body scratch in the comment box.
You may also enjoy reading about other “Automobiles” articles below:
How Much Does it Cost to Repair Bent Rims?
How Much Does it Cost to Repair the Gas Gauge on a Car?
How Much Does it Cost to Straight Pipe a Car?
How Much Does it Cost to Turbo a Car?
How Much Does it Cost to Install Auxiliary Port in Car?
