Getting the Vehicle Dents Out Before the Paint JobGetting the Vehicle Dents Out Before the Paint Job

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Getting the Vehicle Dents Out Before the Paint Job

About three years ago I had my car repainted, but I couldn't afford to have the dents that were apparent fixed first. The paint job looked great, but it sure did make the dents stick out like a sore thumb. In fact I was so uncomfortable with the outcome that I purposely scratched the paint near the dents in an effort to make the damage look more "natural" and less noticeable. It worked, but I was left back at square one. So I went about the process of learning how to fix the dents myself while I saved up for another paint job. What I learned is that it's completely feasible to fix minor body damage without the need for costly service appointments. So, I decided to post some of the options that I've personally used with success on this blog. I hope the information here is helpful to you!

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How To Repair Small Dents On The Rear Panel Of An Old Car You Are Selling

8 August 2015
 Categories: , Blog

Most people like to get the most money they can when they sell their old car. You will usually spend time cleaning the interior and exterior of the vehicle to make it look the best it can, but small dents can decrease the value of the car. You can take it to have the dents professionally removed, but you might not get enough money for the car to recover the costs of having professionals do the repair job. Here is a way you can remove small dents in the rear panel on your own to make your car look better, so you can get a higher price for your old car when you sell it.

You Will Need:

  • Curved-Head Metal Bar
  • Ball Peen Hammer
  • Knock Down Tool

Remove Tail Light

You need to remove the tail light on your car so you can stick a curved metal bar in between the frame of the car and the inner surface of the rear panel. Tail lights can be removed by pulling back on the trunk carpeting to expose the screws and/or clips holding the tail light in place. The tail light should slide right out once you remove the screws and/or clips.

Removing Dent

You should tap down the high points and ridges around the dent down with a ball peen hammer and knock down tool (make sure you use a knock down tool that won't harm the paint to prevent scratching) before you use the curved-head metal bar to force the dent outward. Knocking down the high ridges and points makes it easier for the car metal to pop back out.

Place the curved-head metal bar through the tail light opening, and slide it in between the frame and rear panel until you reach the dent. Start pressing the curved end against the inside of the dent to force the dent out.

You will have to go slowly and force out the dent a little at a time. You should stop whenever ridges reform around the dent so you can tap them back down.

Keep on repeating this process until the dent is removed. Small dents might take less than an hour, but larger dents might take you several hours to complete.

Replace the tail light when you have finished.

Removing small dents can improve the look of your car, and help you get the price you are looking for when you sell it. For help with more serious repairs, contact a collision repair center like Lombard Body & Fender Inc.