How to Fix Dents and Scratches on a Car

How to Fix Scratches on a Car

No matter how far away from the grocery store you park your car in Southfield, there may come a day when the paint is scratched. You can’t watch over your car when you leave it parked on a city street, which unfortunately means that minor bumps and blemishes are inevitable. Fortunately, most scratches don’t go beyond the clear coat that covers the paint, so it’s fairly easy to remove them:

1. Clean the scratched area with warm, soapy water and a clean towel to rid the surface of any dirt or debris that could cause further scratching during the next steps.
2. Tape off around the scratch with blue painter’s tape so you can easily identify its location when repairing it.
3. Wet a piece of 3,000 to 5,000 grit sandpaper, then lightly sand the scratch, working against the grain of the blemish.
4. Continue lightly sanding until the scratch disappears. Then, lightly sand the area around the scratch to help blend everything in. 
5. To finish, buff the area with a microfiber cloth and car polish, then add a bit of car wax to make the repaired area shine like new.

How to Fix a Dent in a Car

We’ve covered the steps to fix scratches on a car, but what about when you need to fix a dent in a car? Learning how to fix a small dent in a car is just as simple! There are two common methods you can try:

• Suction Cup Dent Puller: This method would likely require you to make a new purchase, as most Birmingham drivers probably don’t have a dent puller on hand already. They are available at most automotive and hardware stores. Suction cup dent pullers work by creating a vacuum that should pull a small dent right out with a little elbow grease.
• Hair Dryer: Have a hairdryer and a rubber mallet at home? Using the hairdryer, apply heat to the surface of the dent for several minutes. Then, use the mallet to gently tap the metal back into place. 

For Major Dents and Scratches, Rely on Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills

If your vehicle suffers a major dent or a scratch that goes beyond the clear coat, rely on the service team at Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills to get it back to like-new condition. Contact us or schedule an appointment online to get started!