How to Do Body Work on Automobiles
Learning to do auto body repair is a skill that many technicians are taught in trade schools. Many people learn the skill on their own, if they learn how to do body work on automobiles. This is a skill that requires many hours of practice to perfect.
- Identify the deepest dents in the automobile. Mark these dents with a special colored tape such as blue marking tape that can be purchased at a local auto supply or home repair shop. This will allow the dents to be visible when working on the vehicles. The deeper dents can be pulled out first, so these should be the ones that are marked.
- Drill a hole in the deepest section of the dent on the car. A couple holes may need to be drilled if it is a fairly large dent. Use a dent puller to pull the dent out by sticking it carefully into the hole and twisting it into the hole. The dent puller can be slid back and forth until the dent is completely pulled out. This may take a little time at the beginning.
- Pound out the dents that are higher than the surface of the car to create an even smooth surface. A rubber mallet can be used to pound the dents out, and many of the dents behind the panel can be reached using this type of mallet without damaging the vehicle further.
- Sand the dent area down so the surface is smooth. Use a grinder and at least a 80 grit disc pad, and be sure to grind all the paint away to see the surface of the car clearer.
- Apply the bondo or body filler using a squeegee and let it sit for an hour. Sand the bondo down until it is level with the surface of the car.
- Tape the areas of the car that are not being painted to avoid overspray on these areas. Masking tape works great.
- Spray a coat or two of primer onto the repaired body area. Let this completely dry for about 2 hours, and then sand the area again. Match the color of paint to the car, and spray the area with color until the desired color is achieved. Let the paint dry in between coats for the best results.