A car dent can put a serious damper on your vehicle’s appearance, and lead to damage to paint, body panels, and other parts. However, sometimes a dent can be easy to fix. Read on to learn how to fix a dent on your car without causing further damage.
How to Fix Crease Dent in Car
Dents in metal are much more difficult to fix than dents to plastic. Plastic can be reshaped, while metal is difficult to reshape. However, there are a few things that can be done to help a dent in a metal car.
One option is to have a professional body shop fill in the dent, using a filler material that conforms well to the deformed metal. This will give the worst appearance of the dent, however, it will make the dent much less noticeable.
If a dent is small enough, it can be patched with a metal body panel from the car, such as from the trunk or front bumper.
Remove paint and other dents before sanding
The first stage of repairing a dent in your car is to remove any paint that might be stuck to the dent. This will allow you to get a good look at what’s causing the damage. Once the paint is removed, you can use the above steps to treat the dent.
Use a foam brush and primer
If the dent is only in the paint, the best way to get rid of the paint is to use a foam brush and primer. Spray the primer on the area, and then apply the foam brush to distribute it evenly. Repeat this until all the paint is removed. Once this is done, you can use a sanding sponge and fine-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining paint and smooth the surface.
Use a sanding sponge and fine-grit sandpaper
Once the paint has been removed, the next step is to remove any remaining dents with a sanding sponge and fine-grit sandpaper. Usually, this will do the trick for small dents, but if the dent is severe, you will need to remove it with a rotary tool or body sander.
Use a plastic scraper and plastic putty
If the dent is located in the paint, it’s best to remove it with a plastic scraper. Apply a small amount of plastic putty to the dent, and then apply the plastic scraper to scrape off the old putty. Once this is done, you can use the plastic scraper to remove any remaining residue, and then use a plastic putty knife to smooth out the surface.
Use a dent filler to fill the dent
If the dent is located in the metal, it’s best to fill it with a dent filler. Most dent fillers can be applied with a standard plastic putty knife, but you can also use a plastic scraper. Some dent fillers come with brush applicators that can be used in place of a putty knife, but these are usually only intended for body repairs.
Sand with fine-grit sandpaper
Once the dent filler has been applied, you can use the fine-grit sandpaper to remove any excess. It’s important to sand with the grain, so start by lightly sanding with 90-grit sandpaper and work your way up to 180-grit. You should notice a significant difference in the dent just after sanding with 180-grit. Once this is done, you can continue with the above steps.
Remove residual filler material with a plastic scraper
Once the dent is smooth and shiny, it’s time to remove any residual dent filler with a plastic scraper. Once you have scraped off the dent filler, you can use the above steps to finish the repair.
Wipe down the car with an alcohol pad
Once you have completed the above steps, it’s time to wipe down the car with an alcohol pad to remove any traces of fluid or fingerprints that might have been left behind. Make sure to wipe it down thoroughly with either a dry or wet microfiber cloth, and then dry it with a microfiber towel.
FAQs
Q: Is it safe to use non-metallic adhesives on a car’s body?
A: Yes. When you glue a dent to the body of your car, there is no risk that the adhesive will dissolve any paint. In fact, car paint is designed to be resistant to corrosion from adhesives.
Q: Does body filler really work?
A: Yes, the material is designed to bond to your car’s surface and fill in the damage. It can be used to repair a wide range of dents, including those that include filling the entire dent and surrounding area.
Q: How much body filler should I use?
A: Body filler can be applied directly to the dent, to the surrounding area, or as a primer for painting. The amount depends on your car’s body type and other factors. The best way to determine the proper amount is to mix and apply it until the dent is completely filled in and the dent is flush with the surrounding area.
Q: How long will body filler take to dry?
A: The drying time for body filler is typically between six and 24 hours. However, it’s important to note that the drying time will vary depending on many factors, including temperature, humidity, the ambient air pressure, and the surrounding area air pressure. Furthermore, body filler has a shelf life of two years and can be stored in a dry location.
Q: Can I use bondo on a car’s body?
A: Yes, but only in some circumstances. Bondo, or “bondo mixture,” as it is often called, is a type of putty that is designed to fill in and repair dents. Bondo is usually made of rubber, clay, and other materials specifically designed to fill in dents.
Q: Can I use a hammer and chisel on a car’s body?
A: If the dent is small and doesn’t affect the paint, body panels, or other parts, then you can use a hammer and chisel to remove it. However, if the dent affects the paint, body panels, or other parts, then you should only remove it with body filler, bondo, or a specialized tool.
Q: Can a car’s paint be repaired?
A: Yes, but it’s important to note that the repair process is different from the restorative process. When you paint a car, the paint is designed to be resistant to corrosion and other environmental factors. However, if you have a dent in your car’s body, then you should use an environmentally friendly paint that can be applied to the vehicle’s surface. Furthermore, you should make sure the repair is done to the same standards as the rest of the car’s paint.
Q: Can I use a body filler on my car’s windshield?
A: No. Where a car’s windshield meets with the car’s body, there is a reinforced area designed to resist impact damage. As such, there is no need to repair a dent in your windshield. However, if you have a large dent in your windshield that affects the glass, then you should only remove it with a body filler, bondo, or other material.
Q: Can I use primer on a car’s body?
A: Yes, you can use a primer on a car’s body, but it’s important to note that it should only be used to fill in imperfections, such as dents and scratches. Primer does not have any special properties that protect a car’s paint and body panels.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to repair a dent in your car without causing further damage. All you have to do is first remove all traces of the dent and then follow the steps outlined above to repair the dent. Remember, you should always be careful when sanding and never remove too much metal. If you have any questions about how to fix a dent on your car, feel free to give us a call at 718-821-0992. We are always happy to help.
