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How do you fix a key scratch on your car?
My car got keyed! It is on the door of my car and very noticeable. My liability insurance won’t cover the cost to repair it. Is there a way to fix a key scratch on my car without taking it to a body shop?
Lynell Spencer · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m sorry that happened to your car—it can be so upsetting to see someone intentionally damaging your property.
There are a few different techniques you can use, and the best one will depend on how deep the scratch is. Your car has three layers of paint on top of the metal body. Primer is the first layer, then the color, then a clear coat to protect it all.
You can visually inspect the scratch to see how deep it is, and once you know, here are some strategies:
- If the scratch only affects the clear coat, you can likely buff it out with a soft cloth and a polishing compound.
- Reapply clear coat if the scratch is deeper.
- Sand down and touch up the paint over the scratch if it scratched down to the primer.
- If your car is scratched down to the metal, fix it right away. Deep scratches like that can turn into a rust problem very quickly.
To keep your car protected for the future, consider adding
comprehensive coverage
to your car insurance policy. Jerry
can find you the cheapest comprehensive insurance rates out there. It takes less than a minute to download the Jerry app and get started. Jerry will find you the best deal and then help with all the paperwork, including canceling your old policy upon request.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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