Auto scratches happen all too frequently. While frustrating, there are things you can do to help prevent scratches to your car. Knowing the common causes of auto scratches and how to avoid them is a good start. Here are the 7 most common causes of auto scratches.
Shopping carts: Near a shopping cart corral is not a good place to park your car. Wind or even other drivers can cause shopping carts to slam into your car, leaving scratches and even dents. Choose where you park wisely! Park away from cart corrals and random carts between cars.
Parallel parking: When parallel parking, always take into account what you don’t see in your side mirrors and blind spots. Don’t cut it too close to cars parked on either side of you to avoid scratching or bumping other cars. Leave plenty of room in front of and behind you to prevent other cars rubbing or bumping yours when exiting their spot.
Automatic car washes: Some automatic car washes may not be as gentle as you think. Scratches from the brushes of automatic car washes are almost impossible to see, so even if scratches seem minor, it is best to be cautious and have one of our mobile scratch and dent repair technicians take a look. To avoid these scratches, simply wash your auto by hand.
Malicious intentions: There are people out there who will intentionally scratch or damage your auto. This is very petty behavior that should not be taken lightly; it can quickly escalate to major damage. It’s almost impossible to avoid malicious behavior but keeping plenty of space between yourself and other cars can help prevent road rage (or parking rage).
Landscaping: Trees and rocks are another common cause of scratches. Unfortunately, many people disregard their effect on vehicles and will park too closely to them, or even against them. Make sure you have plenty of clearance around your auto from trees and rock beds or other landscaping features that can cause scratches.
Fender benders: When cars hit each other it is usually unintentional. Fender benders can happen in a variety of settings and even when parallel parked (see parallel parking above). Always be aware of your surroundings to avoid fender benders with other autos.
Parking lots: Parking lots do more damage than trees and rocks because they are large areas that contain various types of objects like bushes, curbs, handrails, shopping carts and other cars. The best way to avoid scratches is to use extra caution in parking lots and choose your parking spots wisely! Park away from other autos and away from curbs and other objects that could cause scratches.
These 7 common causes of auto scratches can really do some damage to your auto’s paint. Thankfully, there is a Colors on Parade mobile dent and scratch repair technician near you to get your auto fixed up and looking new again.