Every car owner has faced minor troubles like dents on the body at least once. A stone flew off on the highway, someone carelessly opened the door in the parking lot, or hail unexpectedly ruined a favorite car. But what to do when you want to return the car to its perfect appearance, but you don’t want to go to the service? After all, this is not only time, but also a lot of money. There is a simpler solution — repair of dents without painting.
What is dent repair without painting?
Dent repair without painting is a method of restoring the car body without using paint and putty. This method allows you to accurately and accurately repair damage without violating the integrity of the factory coating. This method is especially useful for those who want to preserve the original look of the car and save on painting. The work can be performed both in specialized services and independently.
The main advantage of this method is that it is fast and economical. Most of the dents can be repaired in a matter of hours, and at the same time you do not have to spend money on expensive materials and services of craftsmen.
Dent Removal Tools
If you decide to try to fix the dents yourself, you will need special paintless dent tools — tools for repairing dents without painting. There are many options on the market for different types of damage. The choice of tools depends on how big and deep the dent is, and on which part of the body it is located. However, for work at home, it is best to purchase paintless dent removal kits — these are dent removal kits that contain everything you need. The kit usually includes various levers, hooks, hammers and other devices.
Using these tools on your own requires care, especially if you have no experience. Improper use can damage the paintwork or even strengthen the dent, resulting in more expensive repairs. If in doubt, it is better to contact a specialist.
How to fix a dent: step-by-step instructions
Here are a few steps that will help you eliminate small dents with your own hands:
- Damage assessment. Carefully inspect the dent. If it is too deep or located in a hard-to-reach place, it is better to contact a master.
- Surface preparation. Thoroughly clean the place of damage from dirt and dust. This will help to avoid new scratches.
- Tool selection. Depending on the location and size of the dent, select the right tool from your kit.
- The use of adhesive tabs. If the dent is on an accessible flat surface, you can use pdr glue tabs — these are special glue tabs to eliminate dents. They are attached to the damaged area, after which the dent is pulled out with their help.
- Backlight for accuracy. In order to more accurately see minor defects and control the work process, PDR Lighting https://car-carepoint.com/categories/lighting/ is often used — lighting for repairing dents without painting. It helps to clearly see even the slightest irregularities and not miss important details.
- The final touches. After the dent is straightened, you need to make sure that the surface has become perfectly smooth. This can be done both visually and with the help of tools.
Advantages of self-repair
There are several good reasons why many people choose to repair dents themselves:
- Saving money. Visiting a car service, especially to repair minor damage, can be quite expensive. A dent removal kit can be cheaper than one trip to the master.
- Preservation of the factory coating. Using the non-painting method, you keep the original car coating, which is especially important for new cars.
- Convenience. You can work with the car at any convenient time, without adjusting to the schedule of the car service.
- Experience and satisfaction. When you see the result of your labors, it is always pleasant. Plus, it’s a useful skill that will come in handy in the future.
When should I contact specialists?
Despite the obvious advantages of self-repair, there are cases when it is better to entrust the matter to professionals. If the dent is too big or deep, or it is in a hard-to-reach place, then you can only make it worse. In such situations, an experienced craftsman will not only fix the dent, but also ensure the quality of the work.
It is also worth remembering that in case of complex damage, additional tools and equipment may be needed, which are not always at hand. And if you plan to fix a dent on a premium car, it may be better to contact the service immediately so as not to risk valuable transport.
Removing dents without painting is an effective and inexpensive way to restore the car to its former appearance. With the right tools, such as paintless dent tools and pdr glue tabs, you can repair minor damage yourself. And proper lighting with PDR Lighting will help to make the work even more accurate. However, if you do not have confidence in your abilities or the damage is too complicated, it is better not to take risks and turn to professionals.
