When I worked at a GM dealership, the "detailing" department used one of those big 2-foot floor brooms to wash cars. I asked one of the "detailers" if that would scratch the paint and he said, "no, automotive paint is some tough sh!t, it takes a lot to scratch it."
Oh yeah, people actually paid the dealership $100+ to "detail" their cars.
Maybe he considers a "scratch" damage that goes all the way down to the metal....