What to Do if Someone Keyed Your Car: Filing a Report & Getting Repairs

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Plus, how to identify key marks and prevent future vandalism
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If there are new scratches on your vehicle that you don’t remember getting, there’s a chance someone vandalized your vehicle. Finding out someone keyed your vehicle can be really frustrating, but you may be able to repair the damage yourself without going to a shop. Keep reading, and we’ll cover the next steps to take, what marks you can repair at home, and when to bring your vehicle to a shop.

How to Fix a Keyed Car

First, take pictures of the damage and report it to the police and your insurance provider. For damage to the clear coat or paint, touch up the scratch and buff out the mark with wet sanding, then apply polish and wax at home. If the scratch exposes bare metal, take your vehicle into a shop for repairs.

Section 1 of 7:

What to Do if Your Car Was Keyed

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  1. During the day, walk around your vehicle and inspect it for any scratches or marks that weren’t there before. Be sure to check all of the panels and doors thoroughly. Use your phone to take pictures and document the marks.
    • Pictures are important for keeping a record of the damage and are helpful when you submit the case to law enforcement or your insurance provider.
  2. Look around your parked car for any CCTV or security cameras that could have filmed the person keying your car. Let the camera owners know that your vehicle was keyed, and ask them for a copy of the footage. If you’re lucky, the vandal may be caught on tape.
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  3. When you contact the police to file a report , give them all the information you have about the incident. Tell them the make and model for your vehicle, describe the damage, and explain when it happened. If you suspect anyone or have them on film, share it with the authorities as well so they have a better chance at catching the vandal.
    • Even if you don’t have evidence about who keyed your car, filing a police report and having it on record will make filing an insurance report easier.
    • In most areas, keying a car is considered vandalism and is considered illegal. Someone who keys a car may also get charged with defacing or destruction of property. [1]
  4. Most insurance providers only cover damage from keying a car if you have their comprehensive coverage, which covers damage caused off the road. Reach out to your insurance company and let them know what happened. Explain the incident and send them pictures of the damage to see if they’ll cover repairs. [2]
    • You may still need to pay a deductible, which is a set amount you pay directly before insurance covers the rest of the cost.
    • If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, then insurance will not normally cover the damage. It still doesn’t hurt to contact your provider and ask if there’s anything they can do to help, though.
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Fix Clear Coat Scratches at Home

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  1. Mix a squirt of dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the scratch on your vehicle. Wipe the scratch with a lint-free cloth to remove any dirt or dust from the surface. [3]
    • How can you tell if only the clear coat is scratched? Spray the mark with rubbing alcohol first. If the mark disappears and then reappears a few seconds later, then the scratch is only on the surface. If the mark is still visible, then the paint is scratched . [4]
  2. Apply strips of masking tape about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above and below the key mark on your vehicle. Rip the ends of the tape so each strip is the same length as the scratch. [5]
    • Taping the area helps you remember where the scratch is located once you start working and prevents you from doing more sanding than you need to.
  3. Wet-sand the scratch with 3,000-grit sandpaper . Spray the scratched area with soapy water and wet your sandpaper as well. Gently rub the surface with your sandpaper perpendicular to the key mark. Sand for about 15 seconds before wiping the surface dry with a towel. If you still see a mark, keep sanding until you remove the scratch . [6]
    • Avoid applying too much pressure while you’re sanding because you could eat through the clear coat and start removing paint.
    • Try wrapping your sandpaper around a sponge to help sand the surface more evenly.
  4. Sand the area with wet 5,000-grit sandpaper to blend it in. Move the tape strips 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the scratched area and wet the surface with soapy water. Move the sandpaper in circular motions and apply gentle pressure to help smooth out the surface. [7]
    • It’s normal for the area you’re working on to look hazy compared to the rest of your vehicle.
  5. Apply polish to the scratched area. Dab a coin-sized amount of polish onto a clean lint-free cloth and gently rub it onto the surface in a circular motion. Work the polish into the surface and wipe off any excess. [8]
    • If the surface still looks hazy, apply another coat of polish.
  6. Apply wax using a lint-free cloth or buffing pad . Work the wax into the spot on your vehicle using circular motions until it’s completely coated. Allow the wax to turn hazy before rubbing it off with a clean towel. [9]
    • Auto detailing expert Chad Zani mentions that waxing your vehicle keeps the paint looking shiny and protects the surface from damage.
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Section 3 of 7:

How to Repair Paint Scratches at Home

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  1. Mix a squirt of dish soap with clean tap water in a spray bottle. Coat the key marks with the soapy water, and gently wipe the surface with a clean lint-free towel to remove any dirt and debris. [10]
  2. Sand the rough edges of the scratch with 800-grit sandpaper . Fold your piece of sandpaper in half and gently work it down the length of the scratch. Try to remove any sharp or rough edges from the paint so your touch-up applies smoothly. When you’re finished, wipe the scratch with a damp cloth to get rid of dust. [11]
    • If you notice any rust around the scratch, continue sanding it until it’s completely removed. If you paint over rust, the finish could bubble.
  3. Apply masking tape just above and below the scratch. That way, you can easily see where you’re working and you won’t get excess paint on another part of your vehicle.
  4. Fill in the scratch with touch-up auto paint . Find the paint color code for your vehicle printed on a sticker on the driver’s side door, and get the same color touch-up paint. Apply a thin layer of paint over the scratch and let it dry for about 5 minutes. Keep adding coats until you can’t see the scratch and the touch-up paint is higher than the base color. [12]
    • If you can’t find the paint color code on the door, check on the sticker by the gas cap. Otherwise, write down your VIN and contact a dealership to find the correct paint color.
  5. Gently peel the masking tape off of your vehicle. Then, wrap 800-grit sandpaper around a small block. Apply gentle pressure along the scratch until the touch-up paint is level with the surface. [13]
    • Run your finger over the area you touched up to check it. If the paint still feels raised, continue sanding. Otherwise, you’re ready to move on.
  6. Apply clear coat over the scratch and let it dry. You can either use clear coat that you apply with a brush, or use a clear coat spray. Apply the clear coat in thin layers and let each one dry for at least 10 minutes. If the clear coat looks uneven or doesn’t fully cover the scratch, add an extra layer. [14]
  7. Spray the repaired section with soapy water, and gently sand down the raised clear coat until it’s level. Then, move up to 1,500-grit and 2,000-grit sandpaper to blend the area in even more. Finally, wet-sand the spot one more time with 3,000-grit and 5,000-grit sandpaper . [15]
    • Wipe off any dust or debris after changing sandpaper grits to check the area you’re working on. If the clear coat feels level with the rest of the surface, then it’s time to move on.
    • Use straight back-and-forth movements following the direction of the scratch. Avoid using circular motions because circular scratches are more difficult to remove later on.
  8. Buff polish over the scratch to finish your repair. Apply a coin-sized amount of polish onto a lint-free cloth or pad, and gently work it into your vehicle using circular motions. Apply medium to heavy pressure to buff out any other imperfections and help the repaired area blend in. [16]
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Section 4 of 7:

When to See a Professional for a Keyed Car

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  1. If the scratches penetrate through the clear coat and paint, it makes your vehicle more prone to rust, leading to more expensive repairs later. As soon as you notice the marks, contact local body shops to assess the damage and get price quotes. [17]
    • How much does repairing a keyed car cost? The cost varies depending on the sizes of the key marks and the extent of the damage. If the mark is small and only on one panel, it may cost less than $100 USD. For long key marks on multiple panels, you may spend over $500 USD.
    • If insurance will cover the damage, they may provide a list of body shops where you can take your vehicle.
    • Avoid taking your vehicle to a detailer because they won’t be able to buff out scratches that go through the paint and clear coat.
Section 5 of 7:

What does “keying” a car mean?

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  1. Keyed cars are intentionally targeted by another person. They may use a car key, nail, or any other sharp object to leave marks on the doors or panels. While there are multiple motives for why someone may key a vehicle, some of the main reasons are: [18]
    • Someone is upset or getting revenge against you.
    • Someone is jealous of you.
    • Someone gets a thrill damaging another person’s property.
    • Someone was targeting another person with the same vehicle.
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Section 6 of 7:

Key Marks vs. Regular Scratches

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  1. While key marks and scratches can be difficult to distinguish, normal scratches tend to be shorter or more randomly placed. If your vehicle was keyed, the marks tend to run parallel to the ground and extend the length of the panel they’re on.
    • Key marks may also form words or have a zigzag pattern.
Section 7 of 7:

Preventing Your Car from Getting Keyed

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  1. Whenever you’re leaving your car unattended, park in a garage or locked parking area if there’s one available. Otherwise, try to find a spot on a busy street that’s well-lit. That way, someone is less likely to key your car because they could easily get caught. [19]
    • Look for parking spots near other vehicles as well. If there are more vehicles around, it could discourage a vandal from targeting you.
  2. Install security cameras or a dashcam . Put up outdoor security cameras in your normal parking area, or leave dashcams inside of your vehicle. If a vandal notices they’re being filmed, they’ll avoid keying your vehicle. If they do still vandalize your car, then you at least have evidence against them that you can give to the authorities. [20]
    • If you can’t afford security cameras, try installing motion-activated lights to scare people away from your vehicle.
  3. Some people will key your car if they’re frustrated with how you parked. When you pull into a spot, make sure you’re between the lines and leave room for other vehicles to pull in next to you. [21]
    • Avoid stealing a parking spot from another person or pulling in ahead of them, because there’s a chance they may retaliate and key your vehicle.
  4. Protective paint films cover your vehicle and keep your paint and primer safe from scratches. Because applying protective coatings is time-consuming and difficult to do on your own, contact auto body shops to get quotes on how much it will cost. [22]
    • Applying protection coatings to your entire vehicle may cost a few thousand dollars, but can last up to 10 years.
  5. Start a neighborhood watch program . If there have been multiple cases of keyed vehicles in your area, reach out to your neighbors and discuss the issue. Ask everyone to keep their eyes out for suspicious activity and report it to law enforcement right away so you can keep your community safe. [23]
    • Choose a couple people in your neighborhood to be “block captains.” Block captains help invite new residents to join and are the main points of contact for other members of the community.
  6. Because people usually key cars when they’re angry or upset, try to be nice and personable with the people you interact with each day. Be your best self and avoid pushing someone’s buttons if you’re not sure how they’ll react. If you’re kind and communicative with other people, they’ll have less reason to vandalize your vehicle. [24]
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      Warnings

      • Avoid leaving scratches on your vehicle if you aren’t bothered by how they look. Deep scratches can eventually lead to rust and more costly repairs for your vehicle.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/criminal-defense/is-it-a-crime-to-key-someones-car/
      2. ↑ https://www.surex.com/blog/someone-keyed-my-car
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/2nYF46P7B2c?t=233
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/Zl_iSYYGBiY?t=454
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/hjcL_Gl4h84?t=72
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/2nYF46P7B2c?t=327
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/2nYF46P7B2c?t=469
      8. ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/car-scratches-how-to-fix/
      9. ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/how-to-apply-car-wax/
      1. ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/car-scratches-how-to-fix/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/Zl_iSYYGBiY?t=600
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/Zl_iSYYGBiY?t=901
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/Zl_iSYYGBiY?t=1110
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/Zl_iSYYGBiY?t=1311
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/Zl_iSYYGBiY?t=1355
      7. ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/car-scratches-how-to-fix/
      8. ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/auto-body-repair-shop-or-diy/
      9. ↑ https://www.ourcar.co.uk/blog/why-do-people-key-cars-understanding-the-motives-behind-car-keying
      10. ↑ https://www.amerisent.com/blog/7-tips-to-keep-your-car-safe-from-vandalism/
      11. ↑ https://www.progressive.com/answers/how-to-protect-your-car-from-vandalism/
      12. ↑ https://www.theparkingspot.com/travel-tips/travel-advice/parking-etiquette
      13. ↑ https://www.themechanicdoctor.com/protect-car-paint/
      14. ↑ https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/NSA_NW_Manual.pdf
      15. ↑ https://www.ourcar.co.uk/blog/why-do-people-key-cars-understanding-the-motives-behind-car-keying

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