How to Fix a Dent or Scratch in a Car

Looking for information on how to fix a small dent in your car? Maybe you need to fix scratches on your car’s paint. Either way, follow this handy guide on how to fix a dent or scratch in a car, brought to you by the Holiday Automotive service center, and you’ll be one step closer to blemish-free auto paint and body panels! Looking for professional assistance with bodywork repairs? Our collision repair center can help.

How to Fix Scratches on a Car 

There are several ways to fix scratches on a car, with solutions ranging from temporary to permanent. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Candle Wax – Gently rub an old candle over the cleaned area to seal the scratch. This is most definitely a temporary fix. 
• Super Glue – Similar to candle wax, this helps seal the scratch temporarily and blends with the rest of the car’s paint masking the damage a bit.
• Paint Polish or Rubbing Compound – Paint correction is a more permanent fix because it involves blending the rest of the paint down to the level of the scratch. (We’re talking microns, not a thick layer). To use this method, start with the least aggressive solution first, not unlike when you cut hair. If you underdo it, you can always do more. If you overdo it, it can’t be undone. A light polish with a less abrasive foam pad first is a good first step to take. Only if polishing with successively higher polishes doesn’t remedy the scratch (followed after by finer and finer polishes to take out the scratches instilled by the higher-grit polishes) do we recommend wet-sanding, the next step.
• Wet Sandpaper – Shallow scratches just on the surface that polish or compound can’t remedy can be hit with 2000-grit wet sandpaper. When you can almost no longer see the scratch, apply a rubbing compound followed by finer and finer polishes and then a wax or paint sealant.
• Touch-Up Paint: Touch-up paint, available via our parts store, is the best fix, repainting notwithstanding, for filling in deeper scratches (like those you can feel “snag” when you run your fingernail over them).

How to Fix Dents in a Car

Are you dealing with car dents rather than scratches? Here’s how to fix a small dent or large dent in your vehicle’s metal body panels:

• Plunger – Either a dedicated car dent plunger or a standard clean plunger can help after several attempts at leveling the dent out.
• Hammer or Mallet – Knock the dent out of place from the opposite (convex) side. Use a hammer to fix a small dent in a car and a mallet for a larger one. Be sure to protect the side you are hammering with a towel or something else soft to avoid damage.
• Dent Puller – This method is usually best left to the pros, as it requires drilling a hole in the dent, lacing a wire through, and then pulling the dent back to surface level. You’ll then have to fill the hole, sand it down, and repaint. If, however, you have auto body experience, this method is the most restorative.

For the Bigger Fixes, Visit Holiday Automotive

Book bodywork or glass repair now at Holiday Automotive if you’re looking for professionals to take care of your dent and scratch repair needs in Fond du Lac. Otherwise, check out our other service tips and tricks for more DIY car care hacks.