How to Repair A Dent In A Vehicle

There are many different way to repair a dent on a vehicles.  For example, you can use the hammer and dolly method, stud welder gun method, suction cups, and many other dent repair techniques. However, the same steps apply, regardless of the tools you select to do the job.  

• Wash the car with dish soap and water, not car soap.  Many of car soaps are designed to leave the wax and silicone on the finish.  However, you want to strip the wax off.  Like one of the Dawn slogans, “strips the grease away.”  That’s what we want.  
• Wipe the car with wax and grease remover.
• If there are any dents, repair the damage by determined repair method during the repair planning process.  Remember to use the easiest repair method.  
• If heat shrinking is needed, shrink the metal.  Slight shrinking can be achieved using a cold method with a shrinking hammer.  However, many time the heat method will need to be used.  Use a torch or your stud nail gun with a shrinking tip, tap metal and quench.  
• Once the metal has been straightened, now prepare the metal for body filler.  Body filler must be applied directly over steel, therefore, all coating must be removed.  To do this grind or sand the surface with 36 to 50 grit sandpaper using a dual action sander or grinder.  Care must be taken when using a grinder not to remove too much metal.  Grind the coating 4 inches around the damage.  This will assure that the body filler will not be applied over paint.  Once ground, blow the repair area with compressed air.  
• Apply and block sand body filler.
• Prime repair area and block sand primer.

Now you’re ready to get it in the paint booth and get ready for paint.