Minor accidents can often result in dents or scratches to car body panels which
, if left unrepaired, can lead to rust and look unsightly, reducing the value of the vehicle.
Fixing small dents is actually a relatively easy job and can often be completed fairy quickly and inexpensively. Below are some examples of situations where you could consider taking care of the job yourself with a few basic tools and some general car maintenance know how:
Scratched or Flaking Paint
In these circumstances usually all that is required is for the paint to be touched up. If however there are any small dents or if rust has already developed then you will need to take care of these first, before you do anything else.
Large Surface Dents
A typical rounded surface dent that hasn't resulted in any creases to the metal work can often be pulled back out using an every day rubber plunger. By positioning the plunger over the dent and pulling the handle towards you it should be possible to return the dented metal to its original position. In many cases it will simply snap back into place and this technique can work especially well on a larger, flatter dent.
Small Dents
Dents that are smaller in size usually require a different approach and can often be improved upon using a light hammer to tap the metal back into position. To do this, cover a flat piece of metal in a soft cloth and position it on the outer side of the panel. Then tap the dented area carefully with the small hammer from the other side to gradually push the dented metal back out. Take great care to only hammer the dented area though!
Paint Chips
Minor paint chips and blemishes can be filled in with putty using a putty knife. Always follow the instructions provided with the putty and carry out any necessary preparation to the area before starting. Once dried, the putty can be sanded back and smoothed off and then finished with primer and paint.
Whist jobs like these can be carried quite simply most of the time, it can be worth spending a bit of cash to have a professional do the repair, especially if the dent is complicated of if you aren't particularly confident in trying to do it yourself.