Once you notice a dent or scratch in your vehicle, it can be difficult to ignore, no matter how small. Thankfully, learning how to repair car dents and scratches is simple! Explore some common DIY remedies with the service experts at Rimrock GMC in Billings.
DIY Fixes to Remove Scratches from Your Car’s Paint
It’s nothing short of annoying when you find a scratch in your car’s paint. Rather than stressing over where or when it happened and who did it, you can get to work on fixing it! When you spot a small scratch on your vehicle in Laurel that you don’t think is worth taking it into a service center for, try out some of these at-home scratch removal tips:
- Sandpaper – This method is not as scary as it may seem. Shallow scratches are actually quite easy to remove, as they’re only surface deep. First, clean the area with the scratch thoroughly, then rub it gently with 2,000-grit wet sandpaper for several minutes. When the scratch is nearly invisible, apply a rubbing compound.
- Candle Wax – Though it’s not a permanent solution, it’ll do for a quick fix. Simply rub the candle wax right on the scratch, providing a temporary seal.
- Toothpaste – Yes, toothpaste. Because it offers a natural, gentle abrasiveness, toothpaste is actually a great solution for removing light scratches. Thoroughly clean the area with the scratch, then apply a bit of toothpaste to a throwaway toothbrush and buff it away. After several minutes of buffing, remove the toothpaste with a cloth, and you should be left with a sparkling surface. If the scratch is still visible, you may repeat the process as necessary.
- New Car Paint – If you check with a parts department like the one here at Rimrock GMC, you may be able to get your hands on a small bottle of car paint that’s an exact match to your vehicle. Depending on your model year and whether your model is still in production, it may be difficult to track down your exact match, but even a close match can work for small scratches. As usual, thoroughly clean the area to get started. Then, lightly brush the paint over the scratch, keeping as close to it as you can. Smooth out the edges of your paint job to blend it in, and a light scratch should now be undetectable!
If you’d like to leave things to a professional who can buff out the scratch for good, or you need to repair deep car scratches, your best option is to schedule an appointment at a Lockwood area service center.
DIY Fixes for Removing Car Dents
As with scratches, it’s easier than you might think to learn how to fix dents in a car yourself. Simply follow the steps for one of the following solutions, and you’ll be good to go!
- Plunger - You can use a clean bathroom-grade plunger or a car dent plunger for this. Gently “plunge” your vehicle where the dent is located, and it should pop right out with a few attempts.
- Hammer or Mallet and Hair Dryer – Believe it or not, a hammer or mallet can actually do wonders to repair car dents. A hammer should be used for smaller dents, and mallet for larger dents. There is one caveat, though: You’ll need to remove the body panel you’re attempting to fix. With a hair dryer, heat the dent for a few minutes. Then, take the hammer or mallet and knock the dent back into place. The heat from the hair dryer should expand the metal, making it fairly easy to be put back into place.
Find Car Dent or Scratch Repair in Billings
Some damage is just too much to handle at home in Round Up. If this is the case, it’s time to head over to the Rimrock GMC service center. Our factory-trained technicians will assess the damage and offer a lasting solution, while our parts and service specials can help you secure a great price on your service. Have questions? Contact us today or give us a call at 877-575-2074 to learn more. We're happy to help you with dent repairs, brake fluid checks, and more.