How to Fix a Dent in a Car

Have you come to find that your new car has gotten scratched or dented? We know that this can be upsetting, so that’s why we’ve compiled this guide to help you learn the repair process. Whether you need to know how to fix scratches on a car or you want to learn how to fix a small dent in a car instead, we have all the information you need to know.

If you’re unsure of how to do these repairs on your own, our Murrieta service center team can assist you. Feel free to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience and we’ll help get your Corona vehicle looking like new again. Be sure to contact us today with any questions or concerns.

Fix Scratches on Your Car 

When there’s a scratch on your vehicle, and you don’t think it’s worth bringing into a dealership or mechanic to buff out, here are some do-it-yourself scratch removal tips.

• Candle Wax – This is by no means a permanent solution, but it will hold in an emergency. Gently rub the wax over the cleaned area to seal the scratch.
• Super Glue – Like candle wax, this helps seal the scratch temporarily and blends with the vehicle masking the damage slightly.
• Paint Polish or Rubbing Compound – When correcting a car’s paint, you always want to use the least aggressive solution first, kind of like when you cut hair. If you underdo it, you can always do more. If you overdo it, it can’t be undone. That said, 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. Only if polishing doesn’t remove scratches do we recommend wet-sanding, the next step.
• Wet Sandpaper – Shallow scratches just on the surface can easily be removed after cleaning the area and rubbing over it with 2000-grit wet sandpaper. Once it’s at a point where the scratch is almost invisible, apply a rubbing compound followed by finer and finer polishes, and then a wax or paint sealant for protection. Washing your car before any scratch removal is a best practice, as is waxing the whole car once done.
• Touch-Up Paint: Usually available at service centers like ours, this fix helps hide deeper scratches.

How to Fix a Small Dent in Your Car

Don’t let a dent ruin the curb appeal of your model on the Riverside roads. Try one of these simple dent fixes at home before bringing your vehicle in:

• Plunger – Whether it’s the plunger from your bathroom or a car dent plunger, using this tool can pop the dent out with several attempts at leveling the dent out.
• Hammer or Mallet – Using one of these on the opposite side of the dent can help knock the spot back into place. Use the hammer for smaller fixes and the mallet for larger dents. Be sure to protect the side you are hammering with a towel or something equivalent to avoid more damage.
• Dent Puller – Only proceed with this if you’re used to using this method as this requires drilling a hole in the dent, lacing the wire through, and pulling the dent back to surface level. You’ll then need to fill the hole, sand it down, and paint.

Visit BMW of Murrieta for All Your Maintenance Needs

If you’re not comfortable trying to repair your vehicle on your own, don’t hesitate to bring it in to our knowledgeable technicians. Not only will our staff know how to best fix the damage to restore the like-new quality, but they can also provide a solution that will last longer on the Ontario roads. Before your visit, check out our service specials for savings as well!