The Best Scratch and Dent Repair & Benefits

How to Make Scratch and Dent Repair Work for Your Wallet 

Scratch and dent repair, or as some may know it, paintless dent repair, has quite a backstory. Little did you know that this concept isn’t that modern, like most tasks and skills we see today. For instance, go back to the 1940s & 50s, and you’ll see the magic of paintless dent repair and removal – from Mercedes-Benz to BMW and other European car workshops. 

Scratches and dents are a pain for most people, especially when they have to pay out of pocket. This article is designed for the South African car owner who wants to take care of their vehicle without breaking the bank, while maximising its value, provided they recognise the benefits and effort involved. Plus, with the right information and plan, you get to decide what’s best for you, your wallet, and your car. 

What is Scratch and Dent Plan? 

Scratch and dent coverage is a plan that covers cosmetic damage, such as interior repairs, scratches, chips, and/or dents. Cover can vary by plan and provider, but the main goal is to maintain the car’s appearance and resale value. Some policies may even cover pre-existing scratches, such as getting protection through MotorHappy.

Types of Dents and Scratches 

Define “Fix Car Scratches” and “Fix Car Dents” 

• Light scapes (i.e. must appear to be less than 15cm in length and diameter)
• Steering wheel and headrest repairs
• Tar removal
• Door handle scratches 
• Seating rips and tears
• Dashboard scratches
• Stone chip damage
• Roof lining damage
• Rims and mags

Benefits That Actually Make a Difference 

Apart from maximising resale value, there are other valuable reasons why you should consider paying a small monthly fee for protection:

1. Maintains Car Insurance Premiums (if you’re covered): This may help if you’re someone who avoids claiming to keep premiums as low as possible on your primary insurance. 
2. No excess on claims: Some policies may charge excess on claims, which is why having a separate Scratch & Dent Plan works so well. You don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for excess. 
3. Additional benefits: Depending on the type of cover and service, providers like MotorHappy offer a great deal of additional perks to clients when they purchase a plan. It may serve you well at a later stage.
4. Quick and fairly priced: Having a plan means less hunting for a reliable workshop. You won’t have to deal with delays or backlogs. Plus, your monthly payments (whether you choose the standard or premium plan) help cover the damages you incur during the contract period, without having to dip into your savings or pay lump sums. 
5. Professional dent repairs: Through providers like MotorHappy, only certified technicians with the right techniques are used to look after your vehicle in the workshop - no need for repainting.

Performing Minor Car Repairs at Home

When we say minor car repairs, we mean the kind of repairs that won’t need an engineering degree, electric tools, or safety hats. You can still achieve “repairs” at home without the danger. Sometimes all you need is a bit of elbow grease, a good cloth, and the right polish or solution to help bring out the shine. 

Most of us scramble to put in enough time, effort, and care into our vehicles. And while it’s not always affordable, there are some things you can do to ensure showroom quality on a budget. 

Minor repairs include things like:

• Buffering small scrapes off paintwork and mags
• Pushing out a small ding from behind the panel 
• Polishing the paintwork
• Replacing tyres (if need be)
• Changing oil 
• Topping up fluid
• Clean cloudy headlights
• Replace wipers

This includes small interior scrapes and tears. 

How to Remove Car Scratches at Home

A lot of online sources talk about vinegar, baking soda, toothpaste, and other abrasive products to remove marks and scrapes, especially deeper-looking ones. While it may seem tempting, don’t. 

Rather, visit a professional or invest in a Scratch and Dent Plan that covers pre-existing scratches to avoid ruining your vehicle’s paintwork. 

For  lighter scrapes, follow these steps:

• Use a microfibre towel or wet shammy to wash and dry the scratched area.
• Apply a rubbing compound or a scratch-removal product (start with a small amount). 
• Using firm pressure, buff the area using the microfibre towel in a circular motion for several minutes. 
• Remove the residue by wiping away the excess. 
• Wax the area once finished. 

How to Fix Car Dents

If you’d like to maintain your car’s paintwork and repair the shape, keep the sharp tools and bad advice out of the equation on this one. Some methods have become popular over the years, and thanks to the internet, anything seems possible. 

We do not recommend any at-home methods (for very obvious reasons).

If you really want to get that stubborn ding out, seek professional help. It may also be worth investing in a Scratch and Dent Plan, especially if your car’s prone to minor scrapes and dings.

The Bottom Line 

With all the resources you have at the touch of a button, it’s become simple to invest in your vehicle without dipping into your savings. If you’re ever in the mood to do some DIY car repairs at home, don’t try to fix the difficult scrapes and dings yourself. You might end up doing more damage, and it won’t be covered. 

So, why not enjoy the benefits of being covered, especially through MotorHappy? The perks don’t just stop at a nice, shiny car. Make smarter choices about your motor plans. 

Learn more about car paint repairs vs Scratch and Dent Protection here.