How to Fix a Dent in a Car

Car dents and scratches can happen no matter how careful you are with your vehicle. If your car, truck, or SUV recently sustained a small dent or scratch, it’s possible to fix the problem yourself. Review what the service team at Weber Chevrolet Co. suggests so you’re back on St. Louis roads in a dent- and scratch-free vehicle sooner rather than later. If the dent or scratch is worse than you thought after trying the following methods, contact our collision center and body shop. We’ll get the dent or scratch out efficiently to provide you with a like-new vehicle. 

How to Fix Scratches on Your Car 

When there’s a scratch on your vehicle, and you don’t think it’s worth bringing into a dealership or mechanic to buff out, here are some do-it-yourself scratch removal tips.

• Candle Wax – This is by no means a permanent solution, but it will hold in an emergency. Gently rub the wax over the cleaned area to seal the scratch.
• Super Glue – Like candle wax, this helps seal the scratch temporarily and blends with the vehicle masking the damage slightly.
• Paint Polish or Rubbing Compound – When correcting a car’s paint, you always want to use the least aggressive solution first, kind of like when you cut hair. If you underdo it, you can always do more. If you overdo it, it can’t be undone. That said, we recommend using a light polish with a less abrasive foam pad first and working your way up to higher-grit polishes or compounds if you see that scratches remain in your paint. Only if polishing doesn’t remove scratches do we recommend wet-sanding, the next step.
• Wet Sandpaper – Shallow scratches just on the surface can easily be removed after cleaning the area and rubbing over it with 2000-grit wet sandpaper. Once it’s at a point where the scratch is almost invisible, apply a rubbing compound followed by finer and finer polishes and then a wax or paint sealant for protection. Washing your car before any scratch removal is a best practice, as is waxing the whole car once done.
• Touch-Up Paint: Usually available at service centers like ours, this fix helps hide deeper scratches.

How to Fix a Small Dent in Your Car

Don’t let a dent ruin the curb appeal of your model in St. Charles. Try one of these simple dent fixes at home before bringing in your vehicle:

• Plunger – Whether it’s the plunger from your bathroom or a car dent plunger, using this tool can pop the dent out with several attempts at leveling the dent out.
• Hammer or Mallet – Using one of these on the opposite side of the dent can help knock the spot back into place. Use the hammer for smaller fixes and the mallet for larger dents. Be sure to protect the side you are hammering with a towel or something equivalent to avoid more damage.
• Dent Puller – Only proceed with this if you’re used to using this method as this requires drilling a hole in the dent, lacing the wire through, and pulling the dent back to surface level. You’ll then need to fill the hole, sand it down, and paint.

For the Bigger Fixes, Visit Weber Chevrolet Co.

Now you know how to fix a dent in your car and how to fix scratches on your car! If your vehicle needs professional services to remove big dents and scratches, call (866) 608-5244 or contact us online today. Our collision center near St. Peters is here for you! Continue your vehicle maintenance research with our posts on how often you should change your oil and how long brake pads last!

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