Auto body repair can be expensive to have professionally done. You can do it yourself, but if not done correctly, it can end up causing more damage to your car than before. There are ways to repair dents, dings and scratches by yourself. All you need are a few body tools, safety equipment and a well-ventilated area.
Equipment Needed
Any type of auto body repair should start with safety. Use safety goggles at all times. When sanding and when spraying primer or paint, always wear a painter's respirator mask. Handling body filler, primer and paint should also be done wearing latex gloves. These materials are toxic and can cause irritation or may cause your skin to become extremely dry.
For the actual repairs, you may need a plunger, body hammer, small block of wood, touch-up paint, sandpaper stick, Q-tip, rubbing compound, sandpaper, car polish an orbital sander and microfiber cloths.
Dents
Dents can be repaired a few different ways as long as the paint has not been chipped and no bare metal is exposed. Use car wash soap and water to wet the dented area. Place a plunger over the dent, or in the center of the dent, and use the plunger to pull the dent out. This works well on dents that are not very deep.
For dents that can't be pulled out with a plunger, you may be able to use a combination of plunger and other tools. Place a block of wood on the high point, or ridge, around the outside of the dent. Use a hammer to gently tap the wood. This can help pop the dent out by pushing in the metal around it. This can also work on any high points on the car where the damage is higher than the surface of the car.
Scratches
Scratch repair depends on the size of the scratch and how deep it cuts into the car's surface. For deep scratches that exposes the bare metal, use touch-up paint that matches your car. Use a sandpaper stick to lightly sand the scratch. Use a Q-tip or stick applicator to apply the paint to the scratch. Don't use the small brush that comes with the paint, as it won't keep the paint confined inside a small area. Use a thick coat of the paint so that it stands higher than the surface of the car. Allow it to dry and then use 800-grit sandpaper to sand it down even with the car's surface so that it blends in. Use a fine rubbing compound and microfiber cloth to buff the area by hand.
For light scratches use a medium to fine abrasive car polish and a dual action orbital polisher. Apply a small amount of a medium to fine car polish on the polishing pad. Work the polisher over the scratched area and surrounding surface. Use circular and back and forth movements. The polisher won't burn through the surface like a rotary polisher.
Finish all scratch repairs by applying a thin coat or two of pure carnuba wax on the car. Use a damp sponge to apply the wax, wait less than five minutes and then buff the wax by hand with a soft cotton cloth.
Tags: bare metal, block wood, body repair, dents that, higher than
