Depending on the size and depth of the dent you want to remove, there are two different ways that you may want to approach making your car look better again. The simplest method of dent repair, and one which works surprisingly well for many dents, involves the use a common hair dryer and a spray can of air--the type used for cleaning computer keyboards. The second method, which will also be touched upon here, involves the use of the old stand-by--the car dent-pulling tool and lots of body filler.
Instructions
1. Wash the dented area with warm water and dish soap. Rinse and pat dry.
2. Warm the dent with a hand-held hairdryer for a full minute.
3. Turn your can of compressed air up-side-down and spray the super-cold CO2 propellant onto the entire surface of the heated dent. A layer of ice will form over the dented area. Wait. The super-cold ice will cause the metal in the dent to contract, causing the dent to pop back out. Do not touch the area until all ice has disappeared. Once ice has disappeared, wipe area with a soft, clean cloth.
4. Repeat the hair dryer and compressed air step if the dent is not fully repaired. If necessary, touch up tiny remaining imperfections with body filler. Allow filler to dry thoroughly (as per manufacturer's instructions) and then lightly sand smooth with 350-grit paper, finishing with 1,000-grit paper and finally wiping smooth with 00000-grade steel wool.
5. Mask areas around body filler and spray filler with primer. Allow to to dry and spray again. Repeat until you have at minimum of five coats of primer. Wipe with 0000 steel wool. You are now prepared to paint.
6. To repair dents that do not respond to the first method, drill a small hole in the center of the dent and attach a dent puller. Follow the simple manufacturer's instructions to pull the dent out flush with the car. If necessary, use a hammer to pound the dent slightly until it is flush with the car.
7. Use body filler to smooth out the dented area until it blends perfectly into the body of the car. Sand with 350-grit paper and then lightly sand with 1,000-grit paper until the dented area is perfectly shaped and smooth. Wipe with 0000 steel wool for a final polish.
8. Mask area with filler and apply a minimum of five coats of spray primer, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before the next coat is applied. Wipe the final coat of primer with 0000 steel wool until it is perfectly smooth and then apply paint.
Tags: body filler, dented area, steel wool, 0000 steel, 0000 steel wool