Look at the direction of the scratch. A scratch that goes from top to bottom is usually deeper than one that goes from side to side. If you don’t know which way the scratch goes, try to figure out which direction would be more likely for dirt or gravel to fall onto your car when driving this way, you’ll know if it’s likely that the scratch was made by something falling onto the car or if it was made by something brushing up against it while driving.
Another way to tell how deep a scratch is on your car is to look at its color and texture. If there’s no color or texture in the area around the scratch, chances are that it’s shallow enough not to do any damage. But if there’s color or texture in this area and/or if there are small particles embedded in this area, then it could be deeper than expected and may need more attention than just cleaning off with water and soap.
If there is a scratch measure it
If there is a scratch, measure it. You want to know how deep the scratch is. The best way to do this is to use a ruler and measure from the top of the scratch down to where it meets the bottom of your car.
If you don’t have a ruler handy, use a piece of string or yarn to measure out that distance and then lay it flat against your car’s body. This can be time-consuming, but it will help you figure out how serious the damage is.
Check for deep scratches with your finger
When it comes to checking for deep scratches on your car, you want to be sure that you’re not missing anything. The best way to do this is by using your finger. If you pull up at the car wash and see a long, white scratch that runs along the side of your vehicle, ask someone at the car wash to wash it off with soap and water.
Then, rub your finger along the area of the scratch. If it feels smooth, then it’s just a surface scratch if there are remnants of the original paint beneath your finger, then it’s deeper than that and may need professional attention.
How deep can a scratch be?
The severity of the scratch and on the material that is scratched. If you have a very deep scratch, then it may be impossible to remove all traces of it, but there are some things that you can do to make it less noticeable.
If your car is made of plastic, then most scratches will not affect its appearance at all. However, if you have a car with paint or metal body panels, then this can potentially cause more damage than if it were just plastic. A deep scratch will cause damage to the paint or metal and may even result in rusting if left untreated for too long.
What to do if it’s a surface scratch?
When you notice a scratch on your car, the first thing you should do is determine how deep it is. If it’s a surface scratch, then there’s really no need to worry about it. But if it goes all the way down through your paint and into the clear coat, then you may be looking at a costly repair job.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tell how deep a scratch is on your car can help you get it fixed quickly and at the right price. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how to check for scratches and what to do if you find one.
