So you scratched your car. It’s a terrible feeling to damage your car paint, especially if your car is on the newer side. Most of us have had that unpleasant feeling in the pit of our stomach from doing damage unintentionally to our ride. But do you REALLY need to visit a body shop for auto repairs to do away with the scratch, or can you live with it until later down the road when you feel like dealing with it? We’re here with answers.

Is a scratch on your Orlando Toyota really that big of a deal?
Sure, you can live with the scratch. It’s annoying to look at, but it’s fine to just leave it for the time being, right? Actually, wrong. Leaving scratches in your car’s paint can actually cause bigger problems down the road, and our Orlando Toyota techs are here to explain.
Issue #1: Rust
When you scratch your car, you’re basically removing the clear coat and possibly the paint that go over and protect the metal. This means you’re leaving the metal part of your car exposed to the elements; namely, moisture. Moisture can then attack the exposed metal and if left long enough, cause rust. We all know just how much damage rust can do to a car if it’s left untreated, so fix the scratch at our auto repair shop.
Issue #2: Paint wrinkling
When you leave a scratch untreated, it can actually affect the paint around it, too. Exposed edges means the paint surrounding the scratch can start to wrinkle or peel, meaning more of your car is exposed to moisture and in time, rust. Plus, it’s not a good look.
Issue #3: Bigger issues underneath
Let’s say you got into a fender bender and scratched your car. How do you know that you didn’t do further damage below the surface where you can’t see it? This is especially true with all of the new safety technology in newer vehicles – just because it was only a fender bender doesn’t mean you didn’t accidentally do damage to the sensors and other equipment in your Orlando Toyota.
Issue #4: Loss of value
When it comes down to it, paint scratches aren’t a good look. So if you’re trying to sell or trade your car and it’s covered in unsightly scratches, you’re likely not going to get as much as you want for it. After all, most people are put off by a car that hasn’t been cared for on the outside, assuming the same is true for the interior and under the hood.
Schedule auto repairs at Toyota of Orlando today
So it may just seem like a minor annoyance to leave a scratch in the paint, but unfortunately, it can lead to bigger (more expensive) problems down the road. Don’t let it happen to you! Schedule auto repairs at the Toyota of Orlando body shop today and let our techs get your ride back into like-new condition. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-6006 and we’re conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

