How to Fix a Car Dent or Scratch

You may find a minor dent or a scratch on your car at some point. A shopping cart got too close, or maybe someone opened a nearby car door and made contact with your door when you were shopping inside. Perhaps one of the kids threw a ball too hard. Whatever the reason, fixing a dent in a car is surprisingly easy if it’s small enough. The same is true when you want to fix scratches on your car.

Learn how to fix a dent in a car with the service team at Biggers Mazda near Schaumburg! We’ll show you how to fix a small dent in a car and how to fix scratches on a car.

How to Fix Scratches on a Car 

You may feel that small scratches aren’t enough to send your car to a dealership to fix, and that’s okay because the DIY scratch-repair methods could work for you. See some methods on how to fix scratches on a car.

• Candle Wax – This is by no means a permanent solution, but it’ll hold in an emergency. Gently rub the wax over the cleaned area to seal the scratch. The wax will keep the elements out to prevent rust until you find a better way to fix the scratch.
• Super Glue – Like candle wax, this helps seal the scratch temporarily and blends with the vehicle, masking the damage slightly. Again, this isn’t a permanent solution.
• Paint Polish or Rubbing Compound – When correcting a car’s paint, start with a less aggressive solution first because some of this kind of work you can’t undo (much like getting a haircut). We recommend using a light polish with a less abrasive foam pad first and working your way up to higher-grit polishes or compounds if you see that scratches still remain in your paint. If polishing doesn’t remove scratches, move up to the next level with wet sandpaper.
• Wet Sandpaper – Shallow scratches just on the surface can easily be removed after cleaning the area and rubbing over it with 2,000-grit wet sandpaper. Once the scratch is nearly invisible, apply a rubbing compound followed by finer and finer polishes. Finally, seal the scratches with wax or paint sealant for protection. Wash your car before any scratch removal, and wax it thoroughly afterward. 
• Touch-Up Paint: Usually available at service centers like the one at Biggers Mazda, this fix helps hide deeper scratches. We can match the paint with our parts department. 

Next, take a look at how to fix a small dent in a car using some helpful DIY tips!

How to Fix a Small Dent in Your Car

Don’t let a dent ruin the enjoyment of your vehicle. Try one of these dent fixes at home before you bring your vehicle to us. When you learn how to fix a small dent in your car, you’ll know what it takes to make your car look like new again. 

• Plunger – Whether it’s the plunger from your bathroom or a car dent plunger made specifically for this purpose, you can pop the dent out using several gentle attempts at using a plunger.
• Hammer or Mallet – You’ll need to be on the inside edge of the dent for this to work. Using a hammer or mallet can help knock the dent back into place. The hammer works best for smaller dents, while the mallet is ideal for larger ones. Protect the side you’re hammering with a towel or something equivalent to avoid more damage. Start by gently hammering it, and proceed to get stronger. If the dent still doesn’t come out, consider taking your vehicle to a professional.
• Dent Puller – Only proceed with this if you’re experienced with this kind of repair. A dent puller requires drilling a hole in the dent, lacing the wire through it, and pulling the dent out to make it even with the rest of the car’s body. After the dent is out, fill the hole, sand it down, and paint over it to seal it. This method requires a little more time and effort on your part, but it’s doable.

Now that you know how to fix a small dent in a car, you can hopefully feel a little more confident in keeping your car looking like new. If you still don’t feel confident enough to fix a dent in a car, then don’t worry! You can rely on Biggers Mazda. 

Visit Biggers Mazda to Fix a Dent in a Car!

When you’ve tried these DIY methods to fix a dent in your car or to fix scratches on your car and they don’t work, consider bringing your new or used vehicle to the team at Biggers Mazda. Contact us or schedule service with our team to get assistance with dents or scratches.