Why polishing can help with a light scratch
Polishing can make a faint scuff less visible when the clear coat is still sound. It smooths the surface by taking off a little of the clear finish over the car’s color. It can’t put paint back where it’s missing.
When to ask about paint repair for a scratch
If a scratch exposes the primer under the color or goes all the way to bare metal, part of the car may need repainting. If you can’t tell how deep a scratch goes, have a body shop look at it in person before choosing a repair.