How to Repair Car Dents and Scratches

Discovering a new dent or scratch on your vehicle can be quite disheartening, especially when you try so hard to keep your vehicle in top condition. However, there are a variety of ways to fix a dent or scratch by yourself, without the need for a body shop. Learn more about how to repair dents and scratches by yourself with the experts at the Oak Lawn Toyota service center. If you have any questions about our Toyota service hours or what are rates are for paint and dent removal, feel free to contact us anytime!

DIY Methods for Fixing Scratches

If you have a small scratch on your vehicle, and you don’t want to bring it to the dealership to get fixed, here are a few tips on how to repair scratches right in your Evergreen Park driveway:

• Candle Wax – Although just a temporary solution, candle wax can mask light scratches. Just carefully rub the candle wax on the scratch until it disappears. It is important to note that you must make sure the area is cleaned beforehand. 
• Super Glue – Similar to the candle wax method, superglue can also mask light scratches and swirls. It will blend with the scratch, helping it blend in with the paint. 
• Paint Polish or Rubbing Compound – When you correct your vehicle’s paint, it’s important to make sure that you start with the least aggressive pad and polish combination. You could always go up to a more aggressive pad and switch to a rubbing compound. If this doesn’t remove the scratch, you can move to the more aggressive wet sandpaper method. However, you should only use this if the other methods are ineffective.
• Wet Sandpaper – Light scratches can be removed with wet sandpaper, however, you should ensure that the spot is clean. You should use 2000-grit wet sandpaper, rubbing it over the scratch. Once the scratch is nearly invisible, you can then switch to rubbing compound, and eventually a finer polish until it comes to a deep shine. Then, make sure you wax the entire car to preserve the finish. It is important to note that you should always ensure you thoroughly wash the vehicle prior to performing any wet sanding.
• Touch-Up Paint: You can buy touch-up paint at our service center, which can mask deeper scratches.

DIY Methods for Fixing Dents

A dent can stick out when the rest of the car is perfect. You can try fixing a dent yourself with these simple DIY methods:

• Plunger – You can use either a sink plunger or a toilet plunger to pull out dents. After a few tries, you should be able to remove any small dent. 
• Hammer or Mallet – A hammer or mallet can also be used to pull out dents. Hit the opposite dent of the dent with the hammer or mallet until it pulls back to the surface. You can use the hammer for smaller dents, and the mallet for larger ones. It’s important to make sure you are protecting your vehicle by placing a microfiber towel in front of the hammer or mallet to prevent any additional damage.
• Dent Puller – A dent puller should only be used if absolutely necessary. This involves drilling a hole through the middle of the dent, putting the wire through the middle of the dent and pulling it back to the surface. Afterwards, you have to fill sand, and repaint the area.

For All Your Service Needs, Visit Oak Lawn Toyota Today!

If the damage is too much for you to fix on your own, come visit us at Oak Lawn Toyota today! Stop by and schedule an appointment for service to get your vehicle back to looking like new! Whether you’re coming from Orland Park or Countryside, we’ll get you back on the road quickly!