How to Fix a Car Dent or Scratch

Dents and scratches happen even to the most careful of Ontario drivers. If you have discovered some minor cosmetic damage on your car and are now wondering how to fix a dent in a car without going to a body shop, Spitzer Motors of Mansfield CDJR can help! There are some things you can try at home in order to repair the damage yourself. Besides addressing large dents, we’ll talk about how to fix a small dent in a car, as well as how to fix scratches on a car. Of course, some of these repairs can be difficult without experience. If you need any assistance, our service center is happy to help.

How to Fix Scratches on a Car

A scratch is perhaps the easiest type of cosmetic automotive damage to repair, especially if you’re attempting it yourself. Lots of Shelby drivers have had success with the following methods:

• Use candle wax – Clean the area, then rub candle wax into the scratch as a temporary sealant.
• Use superglue – This is a temporary solution like the wax method above, sealing the scratch and masking the damage.
• Use paint polish or rubbing compound – Use light polish and a lightly abrasive foam pad to buff out the scratch. The deeper the scratch goes, the higher-grade polish and harder abrasive foam pads may be necessary. If this doesn’t completely remove the scratch, continue to the wet sandpaper method.
• Use wet sandpaper – Sand the scratch with 2000-grit wet sandpaper until the scratch is nearly invisible. Then apply a rubbing compound, followed by a series of finer polishes, and wax or paint sealant on top.
• Use touch-up paint – Whether you’ve managed to buff and seal or have found the scratch to be too deep, a bit of touch-up paint can help hide any leftover marks.

How to Fix a Small Dent in a Car

Small dents are a little more complex and require more effort to repair than scratches. However, it is sometimes possible to repair small dents without a professional’s assistance. Try these methods if you want to attempt this yourself:

• Use a plunger to pop the dent out – Use a household plunger or one made to pop dents.
• Use a hammer – You’ll want to use the hammer on the opposite side of the dent to bang it out. Use a towel to protect the fender.

How to Fix a Dent in a Car When It Isn’t Small

Most Ashland drivers prefer to have a body shop or collision center repair big dents in their cars. A dent that is not small often requires special tools to fully repair it. But, if you are willing to take the risk to do it yourself, you can try the following:

• Use a dent puller – This is an advanced method that you should use only if you’ve been shown how to use this equipment. Drill a hole in the dent, lace a wire through, and pull the dent back. Fill the hole, sand it down, and paint.
• Use a mallet – This involves removing the part of the body that was dented and knocking the dent out from the inside. Use a towel to protect the fender or bumper from being damaged by the mallet.

The Service Center at Spitzer Motors of Mansfield CDJR is Here to Help

If you found this guide on fixing dents and scratches to be helpful, check out our other automotive tips and advice. Don’t feel like you have to go it alone, though– our service center is here to help with all of your automotive needs, so schedule an appointment online for any repairs or maintenance you don’t feel comfortable doing yourself. We’re just down the road from Galion, so drop by or contact us today!