If I had a dime for every runaway shopping-cart or pebble-spewing dump truck that came into contact with my car, I wouldn't be writing these articles. The good news is even the most dinged up cars can be brought back to showroom condition. Now, I've rated this job the most difficult only because the deeper you get into it, the more time you'll spend. We'll cover off the following two areas: [*]Removing Rust[*]Repairing Dents (small and large) [/ol] Each type of dent will require a different set of tools and skill set, so use your own discretion. If you find yourself in a jam, stop by your local PartSource store and talk with the Parts Pros. They'll be happy to help. Let's get started.
Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different, so when it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual. Make sure you’ve got all your tools and supplies before you begin – the last thing you want to do is go shopping when you’ve got the car on the jack. Safety should be your number one priority, so don’t smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace. Always wear your safety glasses, a dust mask and latex gloves. Don’t work with a flat when it calls for Philips. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or a vehicle’s performance. And finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.
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Getting Started
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Before getting started, carefully examine the area that you need to work on. Whether you are removing rust or fixing a dent, you may need to remove parts from your car to allow easier access. (eg. side mirrors, door trim panels, inner fender shields, etc,…). Removing the Enemy: Rust Remove any surface rust with a dual action sander using a coarse-grit paper or grinding disc. You may also use a wire wheel drill bit for certain applications. (see illustration 1) *If you have significant rust infiltration (ie. Penetrated right through the car), it is highly recommended to visit your local auto body shop for repair or consultation. Small Dents For dents less than 1/8th of an inch deep, sand and strip the paint surrounding the dent. Once this is complete, you will likely need to apply body filler or spot putty to the area. Apply body filler in thin even coats following the contour of the car (see illustration 2) Once the filler hardens, sand it with 80 grit sandpaper and a sanding block. This is considered ‘rough’ sanding and is done to properly shape the filler to the contour of the car. Once this is done, more body filler may be needed. Repeat the previous step if necessary. Now, switch to a 180 grit sandpaper to create a nice smooth finish. Big Dents For dents that are accessible from the backside, reshape to its original contour using a hammer and dolly technique. Once again, you may need to remove parts from your car to allow easier access. (eg. side mirrors, door trim panels, inner fender shields, etc,…). REMEMBER: Safety Glasses are recommended for when working with any kind of hammer. Dollies are handheld pieces of hardened steel and come in many shapes and sizes. Body hammers also vary in size and shape. Which tool you use depends on the nature of the dent and the contour of the panel. [/align] While holding the dolly flush against the exterior side of the dent, tap the interior side of the dent with the hammer until the desired contour is achieved. Make sure you let the dolly “bounce” so the metal panel does not stretch. [/align] For dents that cannot be accessed from the backside, you’ll need to use a slide hammer dent puller. Use the slide hammer to attach the screw onto the centre of the dent. Gently tap the dent out using the slide hammer. If the dent is large or an odd shape, you may have to use the screw and slide hammer in more than one location.[/align] Remove the screw and grind off any raised metal around the resulting hole(s).[/align] Fill the hole with spot putty, let dry, and sand to flush. Ensure you finish sanding with extremely fine sandpaper (minimum 400 grit sandpaper).[/align]
Paint over the sanded area with touch up paint. Primer is not necessary unless you can see bare metal. Touch up paint for most vehicles is available in aerosol cans by special order from your PartSource store.[/align]______________________
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