Paint Correction

Keyed Car Scratch Repair Options in Lubbock TX

What actually causes it

A key drags a hard point across the panel. Depending on pressure it either scores the clear coat only, cuts through to the base color, or goes down to primer and metal. Those three outcomes have completely different fixes.

Why it is worse in West Texas

This is one of the most common calls we get, and the answer is almost always determined in the first ten seconds by a simple test rather than by how bad it looks.

How it gets removed

1. Wash the area so you are judging the scratch and not dirt.
2. Run a fingernail lightly across it, perpendicular to the scratch.
3. If your nail glides over with no catch, it is in the clear coat and polishing will remove it.
4. If your nail catches slightly, it has reached the base color. Correction improves it substantially but will not erase it.
5. If you see white, gray, or bare metal, it is through to primer or panel. No amount of polishing fixes that.
6. Photograph it before any work if you are filing a police report or insurance claim.

The mistake that makes it permanent

Touch-up pens and scratch-removal kits often make a repairable scratch worse by adding a raised smear that then needs leveling. If the fingernail test says clear coat only, machine polishing removes it cleanly.

What it costs

Clear-coat-only scratches are handled in single-step correction from $350. Deeper damage requires a body shop and we will tell you that up front rather than sell you correction that will not fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a keyed scratch be buffed out?

Only if it is confined to the clear coat. Run a fingernail across it — if the nail glides over without catching, machine polishing will remove it. If the nail catches, the scratch has reached the base color and correction can only improve its appearance.

How do I know if a scratch is too deep to fix?

If you can see white, gray, or bare metal in the scratch, it has gone through the clear coat and base color to primer or panel. That requires a body shop, not paint correction.

Should I use a scratch removal pen?

Usually not. Touch-up products leave a raised smear that often needs to be leveled later, turning a simple polish into a more complicated repair. Get the depth assessed first.

Does insurance cover a keyed car?

Vandalism is typically covered under comprehensive, subject to your deductible. Photograph the damage before any repair work and file a police report — insurers generally require one for a vandalism claim.