Do-it-yourself car dent removal!
Content
Dents and dents on a car are very annoying. Only on vintage cars are certain traces of use rated as "patina". For a conventional vehicle, each additional dent equals a loss of value. A body overhaul at a professional garage can be very expensive, and so trying to do it yourself can be worth your while. Here you can read some tips on how to deal with dents and dents on your car.
What can and can not
Dents and dents are small dents in the metal finish of a car.. Accident damage or deformed frame cannot be repaired by yourself.
As a general rule, the smoother and rounder the outer edges of the dent, the easier it will be to repair. .
If the outer edge is sharp and pointy, do-it-yourself repairs can be a challenge.
paint problem
A dent in the body does not automatically lead to damage to the paintwork. Modern car paint is resilient, and with any luck, a dent can be repaired without the need for new paint. The most important element in alignment is heat. . Cold paint is brittle and crumbles easily. Therefore, the dent must always be warm enough so that the paint can adapt to the bending of the metal.
Technical details
The dents are either pulled out from the outside or squeezed out from the inside. . Pressing the dent out from the back gives more room to apply the necessary force. However, this requires extensive disassembly . When pulling, there is a problem of applying enough force in place without damaging the paint. Therefore, in the case of drawing, a vacuum is used. In some cases adhesive stickers may be used. However, the removal of their residues requires extreme caution.
First try: hot water
Before applying the product, try the following: Rinse the dent with hot, possibly boiling water . With luck, the metal will bend and return to its original shape. This also works for plastic bumpers . Hot water always provides enough heat to make paint and material smooth.
Second try: piston
If the size of the dent allows you to put a (new!) Plunger over it, this is a favorable condition for a successful repair. . After cleaning the dent with hot water, push down on the plunger and pull hard. This is often enough to repair large, shallow dents.
Smaller dents and dents require a smaller suction device . Smartphone holder suction cups are a good option. High-quality holders have strong small suction cups that can be applied to metal with force. In retail super powerful suction cups available for just a few shillings.
Attack from the rear
If these attempts are unsuccessful, the dent must be treated from the back. . You can try applying traction with thermal stickers or Loctite. However, you run the risk of damaging the paint. If you want to avoid over-polishing and spot repairs, try repairing the back side first. To do this, you need:
| 1 fan 1 tool for dismantling the inner lining 1 rubber mallet 1 round log or plastic rod with a round tip approx. diameter 5 cm |
Remove the inner lining first. . It is highly recommended to use a professional disassembly tool for this. Small levers cost only approx. 5 euros (± 4 pounds sterling) and allow you to pry the edges and handles of the door panel without breaking them.
Attention: the plastic film behind the door board must be completely glued again when assembling . Otherwise, water will get into the car during the first visit to the car wash.
When the dent is exposed, it must first be heated . This can be done from the inside if there are no plastic components nearby. Alternatively, the metal should be heated from the outside. Always respect the minimum distance OK. 15 cm so as not to burn the paint. When the metal is warm enough to expose the dent, lightly tap the edge with a hammer, gradually moving inwards. . If the edge is not available, a rounded log is used. Place the rounded end of the log in the desired location . Then Gently tap the other end of the stick with a rubber mallet. Always work in circles
. This will lead to better results. The dent sooner or later gives in and returns to its original form, or at least to most of it. The most important thing when indenting: less is more! Careful strikes lead to faster results and avoid unnecessary damage!
Partial success is also the result
If the dent cannot be repaired using the measures described, puttying and painting is inevitable. . Every millimeter of alignment done means less putty. Repairs are easier and more durable when the putty layer is thinner. Thick layers tend to crumble. In addition, they absorb water and cause corrosion, which goes unnoticed for a long time.
Dents and dents: putty - sanding - repair
Leveling the dent, even partial, helps to make the putty layer as thin as possible. . The paint must be roughened or completely sanded off before puttying. Next, a primer layer is applied. After spray painting, it is highly recommended to seal with film. Paint repair is always perfect from end to end . Getting a clean transition on a flat surface is nearly impossible. Edges and borders are ideal places for pasting. For small stains and on older cars, you can try a DIY new paint job. It is important to use the correct color, which can be purchased from an accessory store along with the vehicle's data sheet.
Alternative to painting
Putty is part of preparing the car for painting. . How accurate the paint job should be should be considered in advance. You can save a lot of money if you completely putty and sand the bodywork before leaving the car in the garage for a professional paint job. . Peeling off and removing important components (tail lights, etc.) greatly simplifies the job of the painter. However, a complete spray painting of an old car requires an investment from a few hundred to a thousand pounds .
When it comes to removing one or more small dents, painting may be the most elegant and cheapest solution. . If the car needs a complete overhaul, there is one alternative for new paint: pasting has almost the same effect. Advantage: with a little practice, every skilled craftsman can master the art of packaging . Foil, however, like paint, is good only as a base. Therefore, careful flattening and filling pays off. Although winding is not very simple, it is easier to master than the correct handling of the spray gun.
Smart Measure Before Selling
Fresh paint free of dents and dents raises the value of the car by several hundred pounds . So a free saturday investment in dent and dent removal pays off in cash. The cost of the car is further increased by the use of the same energy in the preparation of the interior. A fresh and thoroughly washed car with a clean engine, carpets and upholstery makes you want to get in and drive away. Take full advantage of this if you want to sell your car.
