Repairing a Car Dent: Tips for Fixing Dents in Your Vehicle.

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Are you tired of paying exorbitant fees to repair small dents on your car? Here's a solution that could save you hundreds of dollars in body shop prices. Follow these straightforward steps to learn how to patch a car dent in just an afternoon.

You will require the following tools and materials: body filler, finishing glaze, latex gloves, sandpaper, tack cloth, and wax remover. We used to repair car dents and scratches inexpertly with five pounds of body filler and sanding off almost five pounds. Then we learned an easier and more efficient process at 3M.

To guide you through the correct way of repairing car dents, we sought the expertise of Jenn Cook, a senior technical service engineer at 3M. Once the car dent repair is complete, apply a primer coat and matching paint from the dealer or an auto parts store for a seamless finish. Although the repair won't resemble a professional job, it won't stand out like a sore thumb either.

Proceed with the following project step-by-step:

1. Prep and Clean Before Filling:

- Start by using 24-grit paper to remove the paint inside and around the dent.

- Hand-sand the entire dent using 80-grit sandpaper.

- Feather the paint surrounding the edges of the dent with the same sandpaper.

- Thoroughly clean the entire area with wax remover and a clean rag.

- Wipe it with a tack cloth.

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Blend the Filler

• Spread the filler down the mixing board in an undulating movement resembling the letter "S".
• Fold over and scoop the filler repeatedly until it achieves a consistent hue.
• Do not use an empty cardboard as a medium for mixing body filler. Instead, employ a designated mixing board or an old, sanitized cookie sheet that can be discarded.

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Apply a Compact First Coat

• Take a handful of filler and press it firmly into the scratched metal surface.
• Distribute the filler in a compact manner to emit any trapped air and saturate the exposed metal.

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Add Additional Filler

• Wipe a thicker "fill coat" of filler to thoroughly address the dent.

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Contour and Refine with Sandpaper and Finishing Glaze

• Use 80- and 180-grit sandpapers to shape the filler and blend the contours with the car body.
• Concentrate on feathering the edges of the filler to match the surrounding painted areas.
• Apply finishing glaze to the entire surface and sand down with 180-grit and then 320-grit sandpapers for a silky final touch.

To begin repairing the patch, apply primer spray followed by a coat of paint. For long-lasting maintenance, consider using self-applied car paint sealant, which can be found as a DIY option. By doing so, the patch will maintain its fresh appearance over time. This information was originally published on October 15, 2019 by Family Handyman.