There are few worse feelings than seeing a gnarly scratch across your otherwise-pristine vehicle’s bumper or door. Whether you were a victim of road debris or a careless driver, receiving a scratch on your car will give anyone a stress headache — and then there’s the hassle of having to repair it.

Car repairs get a bad rap, but luckily, mobile scratch repair defies stereotypes by providing quick, efficient, and convenient repairs that don’t break the bank. However, many drivers have questions about how a mobile body shop can provide the same impeccable repair quality as a full brick-and-mortar repair facility. Despite their small size, mobile scratch repair providers pack a punch! With all the same equipment, tools, and experience — just efficiently fit into a mobile model — here is exactly how mobile body shops fix car scratches and leave every vehicle looking as good as new.

Sand & Fill the Area

The first step in any scratch repair is to smooth out the finish of the car and get rid of the scratch itself. This typically starts with sanding the affected area. Your technician will carefully sand the area around the scratch to smooth out any jagged edges and remove loose paint. This process also ensures that the surface is ready for filler to be applied, creating a strong foundation.

Once the area is sanded, your technician will apply a special filler to the scratched area to even out the surface. After application, the filler will be left to dry and harden, and the technician will then sand it again to achieve a perfectly smooth surface that is ready to prime for paint.

Prep & Prime

Once the area is reshaped and texturally fixed, it’s time to prepare the area for repainting. Refinishing and priming the area are critical steps in the scratch repair process because they help ensure a strong bond between the car’s surface and the new layers of paint.

Once the area is filled and sanded down once again, your technician will apply two coats of primer, allowing the first coat to dry for 10-15 minutes before applying the second. Without primer, paint won’t properly bond to the metal or old paint of your vehicle, resulting in premature peeling, flaking, and rust. Once the primer is applied and dried, your technician will once again smooth out and sanitize the area so the base coat of paint will apply smoothly.

Seamless Repainting

Painting is where you’ll see the biggest difference in your car’s appearance. With the first coat of paint, you’ll watch the scratch disappear as our custom PPG paints blend seamlessly into your vehicle’s original paint job.

At Bumper Buddies, we utilize advanced computer color-matching technology using your car’s VIN. We then custom-mix every color to ensure a 100 percent perfect match, and we apply it using a spray gun to ensure even coverage and a seamless blend with the surrounding areas. We go slow and steady, applying the paint in several thin layers to create a flawless, long-lasting finish. When we’re finished, you won’t be able to tell where the scratch ever was in the first place!

Clear Coat & Walkthrough

Once the paint is completely dry, we perform the finishing touches — namely, applying a clear coat for added protection and shine. This transparent, glossy layer isn’t just for giving your vehicle some extra luster; it also makes your paint job more long-lasting, protecting it from UV damage and other environmental elements.

Once the clear coat is applied and cured and your vehicle is fully repaired, the technician will conduct a thorough walkthrough with you. This gives you an opportunity to inspect the repair closely, address any concerns, and ensure that everything meets your expectations.

If your car has received a scratch, whether from a careless set of keys or a rogue shopping cart, trust Bumper Buddies with your mobile scratch and paint repair. Our mobile service will travel to you and offer you the ultimate convenience without sacrificing quality. We use the same supplies and processes used by body shop technicians but with lower prices and a customer satisfaction guarantee. To receive a free estimate, give us a call today at 888-711-5074, text us at 949-799-1413, or contact us online.