4 Different Types Of Car Damage And How You Can Repair Them
It’s happened to the best of us. You’re driving along on your way home when all of a sudden you hear that loud THUD on your car. Your heart sinks as you pull over and see the damage for yourself. Dents, scratches, scrapes – no matter what it is, it’s not good news for your wallet or insurance company. But don’t worry! There are ways to repair these damages so they cost less in the long run than if you ignored them and let them go untreated!
Scratch Repair
Scratch repair is usually a quick and easy job, but the pitted rust that results from an accident can take up to ten years or more to return to its original state. Because of this, you should always get in touch with a lawyer, you should know that car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. They will be able to help you if there’s any chance your vehicle will be involved in ongoing court proceedings. If not for yourself then at least do it for your wallet!
If the scratch is very deep, you may need to take your car to a professional repair shop. However, if it doesn’t seem too bad (i.e., there are no jagged grooves or edges), then read on for how to fix scratches using touch-up paint right at home! The first step in repairing any type of damage is cleaning off all dirt and dust that has accumulated around the scratch itself. Use an old toothbrush dipped in mild soapy water to scrub away any loose particles that can interfere with paint adhesion later on down the line. After this initial prep work, fill up a small bowl with warm soapy water and use some cotton swabs to thoroughly clean out the affected area as well as possible without causing any further damage.
Dent Repair
Dent repair is usually a much more involved process than scratch repair. That’s because the metal underneath that area of accident damage has been warped and distorted, which can cause structural integrity issues in addition to unsightly cosmetic ones!
Although it’s not always necessary for every single blemish on your car to be repaired, if there are several very noticeable dents and scratches all in the same general vicinity (which is usually visible from at least three angles) then you should take care of them as soon as possible. Otherwise, they may become permanent over time! While some small or shallow marks can often just be waxed away instead of filling back up with paint again, deeper scrapes will need a different approach altogether. There are two main techniques involved in dent repair: popping out individual creases using special tools simultaneously smoothing out any jagged edges using a special glaze or filler
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is probably the best-known type of auto body repair, and for good reason! The process typically involves very fine tools that are inserted into tiny crevices to gradually push them back out again. What’s more, this advanced system usually leaves no visible sign at all where there used to be a dent or scratch on your car!
When done properly by an experienced technician PDR can have remarkable results. However, it should only ever be undertaken as a last resort since many insurance companies refuse to cover costs associated with paintless dent removal due to its high degree of difficulty coupled with very low rates of success compared to other types of repairs. Even worse, some shady “body shops” claiming they perform PDR may be using it as a way to charge you more money for the same job done traditionally! To prevent this from happening, make sure there is always an experienced technician with years of training standing by before allowing them anywhere near your car’s paintwork.
Car Window Repair
Luckily there is a much easier way to repair shattered car windows than having to replace them entirely. This technique involves injecting resin into the cracks, which will harden back up until it’s as good as new! It usually takes several hours for this process so be prepared to either bring your vehicle in first thing in the morning or leave it overnight at the shop.
If you can’t afford to get your window repaired right away due to lack of funds then try asking around at local garages and body shops if they have any spare parts lying around that might fit instead. Even though most window glass comes from specialized manufacturers who only sell their products direct, some may throw old pieces out after replacing them with newer ones every few years since these are supposed to be guaranteed against breakage.
Take Your Car To A Professional
If the cost of repairing dents, scratches, and creases simply isn’t worth it to you then you can always bring your car to a reputable body shop instead. Just make sure to do your homework first so you don’t get conned by one of those shady “repair experts” who are all too eager to take your money and leave you stranded high and dry without a car!
Right from the outset, it’s important to ask whether they do paintless dent removal or not, since this is the only correct way of dealing with any form of deep-seated damage. If all else fails, have them show you their license agreement from a major insurer such as AAA or Geico which will officially protect you in case something goes wrong during a repair job later on.
Preventing Dings And Scratches
Since it’s physically impossible to completely avoid dents and scratches on your car, the only other option you have is to try and prevent them altogether. After all, not even the best body who shop in town will be able to do much for you if they keep appearing one after another! While sun-shade windshields are now a standard issue on most new cars nowadays, there are plenty of other ways to protect your paintwork from damage including applying special waxes or clear sealers over time.
Using a dash cover that blocks direct sunlight from heating your vents can also help reduce interior temperature fluctuations that can cause cracks in plastic pieces throughout your dashboard. Remember though that avoiding minor scrapes at all costs is simply not realistic since there are always going to be other drivers on the road who seem to think they own it!
