Discovering that someone has vandalized, egged, or keyed your car is frustrating, especially when a seemingly small scratch can leave noticeable damage across an entire panel. The good news is that many key scratches can be repaired, but the right repair depends on how deep the scratch is.
Before reaching for a DIY repair kit, it’s important to determine how much of the vehicle’s finish has actually been damaged.
What Should You Do If Someone Keyed Your Car?
Before attempting any repairs, take a few steps to document the damage:
- Take clear photos of the scratches from several angles.
- Check whether nearby businesses or homes have security cameras.
- Consider filing a police report if the damage was intentional vandalism.
- Contact your insurance company to ask about your coverage.
- Get a professional estimate before beginning repairs.
Documenting the damage first can be especially helpful if you plan to file an insurance claim.
How Deep Is the Scratch?
Your vehicle’s paint is made up of several layers. A very light scratch may only affect the clear coat, while a deeper scratch can cut through the paint and expose the primer or even bare metal underneath.
As a general rule:
- Light scratches: May only affect the clear coat and can sometimes be polished out.
Paint-level scratches: Have gone through the clear coat and may require touch-up paint or refinishing. - Deep scratches: Reach the primer or metal and typically require professional bodywork and painting.
If you can see a different color underneath the scratch, or see bare metal, the damage is more than something that can simply be buffed away.
Can You Fix a Keyed Car Yourself?
Very light surface scratches may be improved with automotive polish or scratch-removal products. However, deeper key scratches are much more difficult to repair properly.
DIY touch-up paint can sometimes protect exposed areas from further damage, but it may not produce a smooth or color-matched finish. Sanding or attempting to repaint a large area without the proper equipment can also make the damage more noticeable.
For deeper scratches, professional refinishing is usually the best way to restore the panel.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Keyed Car?
The cost of keyed car repair depends on the severity and location of the damage. A small scratch on one panel may require a relatively simple repair, while a deep scratch extending across multiple panels can require more extensive bodywork and refinishing.
Factors that can affect the cost include:
- How deep the scratches are
- How many panels are damaged
- Whether the paint or primer is exposed
- Whether bodywork is required
- The type and color of the vehicle’s paint
A professional inspection is the best way to determine what your particular repair will require.
When Should You Take a Keyed Car to Direct Paint’s Body Shop?
If the scratch is deep, covers a large area, or has exposed primer or metal, it’s worth having a our team at Direct Paint take a look. Our quality collision repair shop can properly prepare the damaged area, match the vehicle’s paint, and refinish the panel for a seamless result.
At Direct Paint & Collision, we help customers restore vehicles after everything from minor scratches to significant vandalism damage. If someone keyed your car, contact us today for an estimate and let our team help get your vehicle looking like new again.