When you find a dent in your vehicle, whether that’s from a collision or something else, it’s good preventative vehicle maintenance to fix this. Vehicle bodies made of metal or like materials can expand and contract over time, increasing the damage to the car body. You’ll be more prone to rusting in the dented area if it is not properly fixed. Products like Evercoat body filler give you the opportunity to not only fix your car but to prevent it from falling into further disrepair.
Let’s talk about dents and what you need to repair them.
What’s Repairable vs. What’s Not
Evercoat body filler can create a smooth surface that is protected from the harsh Canadian winters, but it is not suited to fill any size dent. If your dent is more than 2 inches deep, you’ll want to hammer the dent as best as you can into its original shape. Too thick of body filler will crack on the car and come off in chunks—putting you back at square one.
There are a few areas in which you should be cautious of applying body filler. Body filler is flammable, so putting it anywhere near the gas tank is dangerous. Be wary of adding it to already-rusted locations, as it will not prevent further rusting and will flake off with the rust chips. This is why it is important to address the dent as quickly as possible and not once it begins to rust.
Tip: Use a flat-headed mallet and lay the piece on a flat surface. This will give you a smoother surface to work with.
Recommended PPE & Equipment
Although most body filler comes in liquid or putty form, it still emits fumes that can be damaging to the human body. For this reason, we promote the use of disposable face masks or respirators. We also recommend using gloves to limit skin contact and safety glasses to protect your eyes from any stray drips.
A flat-headed hammer or mallet is useful in hammering out deep dents. That being said, it is often easy to find a DIY alternative to do the job if you don’t have the right hammer lying around. You can find painter’s tape, drop cloths, rags, sanding paper, and everything else you need at CAPS to make the finished product sparkle.
DIY Your Auto Body Repairs with CAPS
If the vehicle dent is irreparable, it’s time to find a replacement body part at CAPS. Our stores are stocked with everything you need to make your car look brand new! Come to us to get same-day mixes of any paint colour you need—whether custom, discontinued, or widely available.
Central Alberta Paint & Supplies (CAPS) is Alberta’s trusted paint and equipment supplier for all things automotive. For years, we’ve been assisting both hobbyists and professionals to restore vehicles to their full capacity once more. Come to one of our brick-and-mortar stores for your supplies and all the pertinent knowledge to use it properly.