As with any damage done to a vehicle, there needs to be an initial assessment. During this, we ascertain whether or not we need to replace the panel, or we can simply buff out the dent.
Step 1 – Inspect the damage. This step is essential, as it can determine a couple of factors, such as how long the work could take to finish and whether you require new panels to restore the vehicle. We look at a few things, especially the diameter of the dent and the depth of the damage.
Step 2 – Remove the panel. In some circumstances, it would prove to be more efficient and cost-effective to simply remove and replace the panel (or panels) straight away. This is definitely more effective if the panel has cracked.
Step 3 – Remove the paint. Focusing on the damaged area, we begin by removing all three layers of paint, sanding it right down to the metal.
Step 4 – Repair the dent. Ensuring that it is even, we use specialist equipment to essentially pull or hammer out the dent until it is inline and uniform with the rest of the bodywork. Subject to the location and the extent of the damage, this can take a while to get right. Of course in the case where the entire panel has been replaced, there’s no need to do this.
Step 5 – Reapply the paint. Once the panels have been repaired, we begin to reapply the paint, in the same way we would for car scratches.