Dings in your car are not only unsightly, but they can also damage the integrity of the body panel and paint. Repairing them quickly will protect your investment and prevent further damage.
With specialized tools, technicians can massage the metal back into shape while preserving the factory paint. The process is quick, easy and affordable.
Paintless dent repair is a cutting-edge option that can restore your car’s bodywork without ruining the original factory paint job. It’s a great choice for hail damage, dings from shopping carts in parking lots, and general bumps and bruises that make cars unsightly and lower their resale value. It’s also a faster and less expensive repair option compared to traditional methods of body work.
The PDR process uses specialist tools to reshape the metal of the damaged panel, usually by applying pressure on the outside of the vehicle. This pushes the metal back into its normal shape and restores it to its original location. It’s not magic, though, and the effectiveness of PDR depends on the type of dent you have and its location on your car.
For example, round dents are typically easy for a technician to manipulate with suction tools and leverage. But, if a dent has creases, it will be more difficult to restore to its original form. This is because the creases may have caused the metal to stretch and it no longer wants to return to its original state.
Another factor is the size of the dent and how deep it is. The deeper and larger the dent is, the more challenging it is to fix with PDR. Likewise, if the dent is in an area that requires the removal of a panel or interior pieces, it will be more costly to fix with PDR.
Sports accidents are a common cause of dings on vehicles. Basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, and golf balls all tend to leave their mark on vehicles, especially when they hit them at high speeds. Thankfully, most of the time the dents these balls cause are minor and shallow, so they can be repaired with PDR. However, if the dents are deeper or have creases, they will likely need to be repaired with the more traditional repair method.
Whether your car has been damaged by hail or you have some unfortunate dings from careless drivers in parking lots, a visit to your local PDR shop can help keep it looking sharp and driving smooth. The team of experienced technicians at Stormwise will expertly coax your car’s bodywork back into place, leaving you with a beautiful ride and an increased resale value should you ever want to sell it.
Paint Repair
Whether caused by a shopping cart or a baseball thrown by a neighborhood kid, dents and dings on your car can detract from its appearance and decrease its resale value. Fortunately, there are several methods that allow you to pull or push out these surface blemishes on your own without the help of a specialist. Some of these DIY methods involve household items, while others require more extensive tools.
Paintless dent removal (PDR) is a technique that involves the use of special tools to alter the metal in the damaged area of your vehicle without disturbing or touching the paint. This method can be used for a variety of repairs on small dents, dings, and hail damage. It can also be used for minor creases that are difficult to fix using traditional body work.
The most basic tool in this process is a hot glue gun. Start by placing a thin layer of glue around the dent. Then, cover the area with a piece of clear plastic film or a piece of foil. When the glue is dry, you can remove the film or foil and your dent should pop back into place. This method can be very effective on small dents and dings, but it won’t do much good for larger ones.
A hair dryer or heat gun can also be used to loosen a dent. However, this is only recommended if you can access the inside of the affected panel. After heating the dent, you can try pushing it out from the inside while wearing rubber gloves. If this isn’t successful, you should consult a professional for further assistance.
Candle wax and super glue are other simple solutions that can help to repair surface blemishes on your vehicle. Apply a thin coat of these products to the affected area, then wipe it down and touch up with paint.
If you’re looking to hire a professional to fix a dent, be sure to check out their online reviews and customer service records before booking an appointment. Also, compare prices from multiple professionals to find the best deal for your budget. Typically, the cost to have a pro extract one inch of a dent from your vehicle is in the $50-to-$120 range.
Bumper Repair
Bumpers are designed to minimize the impact of collisions, but they’re often one of the first parts of a vehicle to sustain damage. From dents to scratches, it’s important to repair bumpers as soon as possible — not only for the aesthetic, but also for safety and financial reasons. The best bumper repair shop will keep costs low by using techniques that are quick, safe and effective.
Bumps and dings are not just cosmetic; they can actually weaken the structure of the bumper. In addition, cracked bumpers are unsightly and can create a safety hazard for the driver and passengers. This is why it’s vital to repair bumpers as soon as you notice them, or at the very least, to examine the damage to decide if it’s worth filing an insurance claim.
Depending on the severity of the crack, your team may choose to repair the bumper or replace it completely. The process of repairing bumpers involves examining the damaged area and checking the manufacturer’s guide to see whether repairs are permitted. It’s also important to assess the extent of any underlying damage and determine whether the bumper will offer adequate protection in the event of another accident.
When a bumper is repaired, it will be cleaned, sanded and then painted, similar to the way in which the body of a car is repaired. It’s also common for modern cars to have technological components integrated into the bumper, such as fog lights or sensors. Repairing these is usually a more expensive service than simply replacing the bumper, but it’s an essential part of ensuring that your customer’s car is safe and ready for the road.
A handy temperature trick can be used on plastic bumpers — simply pour boiling water over the dent, then reach behind it and push gently. The heat will cause the dent to contract, and the resulting pop should remove the dent. Then, splash on some cold water to quickly re-harden the surface of the plastic.
This method is a bit more involved than paintless dent removal, but it’s a great option for large or deep dents on plastic bumpers. It requires a special dent-removal tool that has legs that will straddle the dent and pulling attachments in a range of sizes.
Paint Touch-Up
A small chip or scratch can ruin the appearance of a freshly painted surface. Touch-up paint can be used to conceal these imperfections and restore the appearance of your car. Although touch-up is not a perfect solution to paint damage, it can be an inexpensive and time-saving alternative to repainting the entire panel.
To guarantee a successful touch-up job, the same sample of paint should be used as was originally applied to the panel to be touched up. This is because the quality of paint used for the original application, as well as the equipment, loading, technique, pressure and direction of lay-off are all crucial factors that must be replicated in order to achieve an invisible touch-up.
First, prepare the area for painting by washing it with a mild soap and water solution to remove any dirt or grime. Then, thoroughly dry the area to prevent any moisture from interfering with paint adhesion. Once the area has been properly cleaned and dried, it should be primed for optimal paint adhesion and color blending.
Apply a thin coat of high-quality interior latex primer to the repaired area, using a brush that is slightly larger than the size of the damaged spot to ensure proper coverage and a smooth transition. Let the primer dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Depending on the extent of the chip or scratch, you may need to apply several coats of touch-up paint to fully cover it. After each coat has been applied, sand the repaired area lightly by hand with 600-grit sandpaper to smooth it out and eliminate any blemishes. Then, apply a clear coat of enamel to protect the repair and enhance the sheen of the surrounding areas.
If you’re not comfortable applying paint to a damaged surface, you can purchase a touch-up pen with a fine tip to make quick repairs on the go. These are available in a wide range of colors to match your existing paint. Just remember that the quality of touch-up paint varies, so it’s important to read the product specifications carefully before purchasing.