Monday, September 22, 2014

Auto Body Repair Techniques

The body work on your motorcar can be levy ended a group of damage over the oldness. From accidents to rust, the repairs for these problems can expenditure a insufficient fortune at any collision centre or oppose shop. Some repairs can be intelligible Sufficiently to effect on your own. Whether you be versed a scarce thing repair techniques, you may much thirst for to tackle a extended difficult repair.


Dents


Depending on the severity of the dent in your car, there are different solutions. The simplest is to use a paintless dent removal system. This can be tried first on any dent to see if it can be repaired without having to repaint the area. This can be achieved by using a plunger-type system that suctions to the center of the dent and pulls it out. This works on smaller dents. Another way is to push the dent out from behind the body panel.For deep scratches, sand the area with fine 300-grit sandpaper. Spray a small amount of primer, then sand it using 600-grit sandpaper. Spray paint over the area, blending it with the paint already on the car.


This type of dent removal will need a drill, dent puller, sandpaper, grinder, body filler, primer and paint. Drill holes in the center and around other parts of the dent. Screw the dent puller into one hole at a time and gently pull the dent out. Grind the paint away, down to the bare metal surface. Grind the dent and surround area. Apply body filler to the damaged area, allow it to dry until hard and then sand it down smooth and even with the surface of the car. The area will then need to be sprayed with primer and paint.


Rust


If a dent is not repaired, it will eventually lead to rust. Rust appears on any metal surface exposed to the elements, even if for a short period of time. If not the dent is not repaired, rust will eat away at the metal below the surface of the paint. This causes bubbles in the paint and eventually holes to appear. To repair the bubbles and holes, major body work is needed, including cutting and welding sheet metal. The best solution is to prevent rust if possible.


For small areas of rust, grind away paint and the rust hiding behind it. You may find the rusted area is larger than you first thought since paint may cover it. Grind the rust away and sand the area smooth with a dual action sander and 80-grit sandpaper. Use body filler on the area just as you would a dented area, following the same steps.


Scratches


If your fender is dented, you can remove the the plastic liner from around the wheel well to reach the back of the fender. Push the dent out, starting at the edges and working toward the center so the paint doesn't chip in the process.A more difficult way to repair dents is to use a drill and dent puller.


Medium scratches can be repaired by using touch-up paint that matches the color of the car. Use a Q-tip to apply the paint to the scratch, allow it to dry and then use 1200-grit sandpaper to sand it smooth.


For light surface scratches, using a medium to fine abrasive car polish and a microfiber cloth. This can also be done on top of deep and medium scratch repairs to help them blend with the car. Rub the polish on, using back and forth and circular motions until the polish is gone. Apply a light coat of wax to protect the repairs.