Questions You Might Have About Dent Repair for Your Car

It's never good to ignore dents and dings in your car, as these may be deeper and more pronounced than you realize, making your car at risk of developing rust. Dents can also weaken the body of the car so that it doesn't absorb as much impact during a collision, increasing your risk of injury. If your vehicle needs any type of dent repair, note a few questions you might have about this work, so you know it gets done properly.

Why not just use filler?

Any type of filler or bonding agent is not going to be as strong as actual metal, so it won't absorb impact during a collision. Also, filler won't expand and contract at the same rate as actual metal, so it may eventually move out of position and the seams of the filled area will become visible. In some instances, the dent may be so large that the filler cannot actually adhere thoroughly to the metal, and it may crack and then literally slide away from the vehicle's body. While filler might be good for small scratches, actual dents should be addressed properly at a smash repair shop.

Can paintless dent repair work on every dent?

Paintless dent repair involves a type of suction that is applied to the dented area of the car, and which then gently pulls the dented around out, straightening it and making it even once again. The area may then be buffed smooth. Because today's vehicle paints are meant to be flexible and to not simply chip away, the repaired area of the vehicle may not need a fresh coat of paint.

While this can be a good method of repair for many dents, if the damage has gone through the metal, and especially if rust has already started to form, it may not be a viable option. Rust needs to be sanded down and removed so that it doesn't spread, and incisions in the metal need to be filled so that new rust doesn't form.

Can all dents be repaired?

In some cases, the damage to the car frame may be so severe that no dent repair will make it as strong as it should be; the panel may be too crumpled for it to be buffed out, or the incision in the metal may be so large that it cannot be welded together without the repair being very noticeable. In these cases, it's good to have the panel replaced altogether so the car looks its best and is as strong as possible.

Share