Your vehicle’s body is always at risk for damage from runaway shopping carts, fender benders, and road debris. While some dents and scratches are purely cosmetic in nature, they can grow into major issues if not addressed. The dilemma that most car owners find themselves facing is whether to attempt a do-it-yourself fix or seek the services of professionals. Here, we consider common car dents and scratches, the viability of do-it-yourself repair, and when to seek professional repair.
Most Common Car Dents and Scratches
Minor Dents – Minor, shallow dents that are often caused by door dings, hail, or low-velocity impacts.
Deep Dents – More severe and deeper dents with the potential to compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Surface Scratches – Minor scratches that only impact the clear coat and will buff away.
Deep Scratches – Scratches that penetrate the paint coat and are able to reveal the metal underneath, which opens the car to rust.
DIY Repairs: When They Work
For minor dents and surface scratches, repairs at home might be enough and less expensive:
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) Kits: Slight dents can usually be pushed back to their original form using suction tools or glue pullers.
Boiling Water or Hair Dryer Technique: Warming up a plastic bumper may be sufficient to soften it and force a dent out.
Scratch Removal Compounds: Products like rubbing compounds or toothpaste (for very small scratches) will polish out small flaws.
Touch-Up Paint: Minor scratches and chips can be reduced using matching brand touch-up paint.
When Professional Repair Is Needed
Whereas DIY repairs will suffice for small blemishes, more significant dents and scratches must be addressed by professionals to restore adequately and ensure long-term durability:
Structural Damage: Serious dents, especially those on the structural components of the vehicle, must be fixed by professionals to ensure safety and worth.
Deep Scratches: If a scratch penetrated the paint and clear coat, you will need to professionally sand, prime, and repaint in order to prevent rust.
Computerized Paint Matching: Body shops use computerized paint-matching technology to ensure the repair is matched to your vehicle’s original finish.
Luxury and Electric Vehicles: Even luxury cars and electric vehicles, such as those designed by Tesla, need specialized tools and knowledge to repair correctly.
Why Choose Exotic Motorsport for Your Vehicle Repairs?
For Simi Valley car owners, Exotic Motorsport, a Simi Valley auto body shop, is a well-established Tesla Authorized Body Shop with excellent repair options for luxury and high-performance vehicles. Their experienced technicians utilize the latest industry-standard techniques to accurately conduct dent and scratch repair. Whether the task is paintless dent repair, scratch repair, or an entire refinish procedure, Exotic Motorsport delivers excellent service to return your car to its former glory.
While DIY may be sufficient for minor problems, professional repair is usually required for more severe dents and scratches to keep your car looking good, retaining its value, and integrity. For professional work in Simi Valley, Exotic Motorsport offers top-notch bodywork and professional services for Tesla and other high-end vehicles. In case of doubt, let the experts handle it to have your car looking as good as new.
