How to Repair Auto Collision Damage

Getting in an auto collision can cause quite a bit of damage to a vehicle. To effectively repair the damaged vehicle it is important to know how. Most collision damage can be repaired at a reasonable cost with a combination of home repair and collision auto body shop repair. This can minimize the cost.

1. Inspect the total damage on the vehicle. It is best to take a pen and paper and list everything that is visibly wrong with the vehicle. This will give an accurate picture of the amount of damage that has been caused, and help to assess the amount of repair that is required to fix the vehicle.


2. Pull out any dents with a commercial dent suction cup. This can be a small or large job depending upon the amount of dents and the size of each dent that is on the car. These can be fairly easy to suction out, with the pressure of the suction cup.


3. Pound out any of the larger dents that are located behind the panel, with a rubber mallet. Take caution not to cause an additional damage by pounding too hard. Test the amount of pressure and strength that is needed on the smaller dents to gage how much will be needed on the larger dents. Start by pounding with small amounts of pressure and then increase in small amounts until the desired strength is achieved.


4. Replace damage headlights or other accessories that are easy to purchase from a local auto supply shop. Sometimes these parts can be found in used but good condition in classified advertisements. This is a good option for those looking to save money.


5. Repair any small body damage by using a body filler kit. These can be purchased from a auto supply store, and typically comes with extensive instructions on how to use. Sand the bondo down and then paint the area that has been repaired. You can have an auto body or paint shop complete this portion to be sure it is done correctly.