How To Repair A Hole In A Car Body?

You love your car. You have had it for many years and it has never caused you any mechanical problems. In addition, it consumes little and the amount of insurance is derisory! You want to keep this vehicle for a few more years, but the bodywork is no longer as beautiful as before…

Here and there, holes begin to form and you don’t know how to repair them. Good news ! Small bodywork touch-ups are easy to carry out. You do not need to go to a professional to correct these minor defects. Here are all our tips for repairing a hole in the bodywork.

What Causes Holes In A Car Body?

Rust is one of the most common causes of auto body holes. What is rust? It is a chemical reaction that forms when metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture. If rust is often observed on older cars, it can also appear on recent vehicles, because certain conditions favor the appearance of this reddish substance. 

Repeated exposure to salt and humidity, for example, is one of the recognized factors. Once rust forms, it continues to spread if left untreated and can cause significant damage. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, the vehicle thus impacted loses a lot of value.

Repair Small Corrosion Holes With A Filler Kit

Most small holes in a car’s body can be repaired with a filler kit. You will find this type of product in any auto parts store. To use a refill kit, you must take certain precautions. For example, you must wear gloves and a protective mask. Always work in a well-ventilated area and proceed in stages.

Here are the phases to follow for a perfect repair:

1. Sand the area surrounding the hole with regular sandpaper.
2. Remove traces of paint with a wire brush.
3. Clean the surface with a cloth dampened with alcohol.
4. Apply primer and even out the edges.
5. Mix the putty according to the instructions on the product packaging.
6. Apply the putty with a putty knife.
7. Leave to dry for the indicated time.
8. Smooth the surface thus covered with fine-grained sandpaper.
9. Paint the repaired area with touch-up paint the same color as the bodywork.
10. Let the paint dry.
11. Wax the treated area with an automotive wax.

Plug Larger Holes With Body Filler

Before beginning repair work, it is important to assess the damage to determine what course of action to take. The body of your car has suffered major damage and you think that a filling kit will not be suitable? In this case, you will use a repair panel intended for this purpose. You will find this accessory in auto parts stores.

To use a repair panel, first clean the damaged area with soap and water, then follow the steps below:

1. Degrease the damage area with alcohol.
2. Cut the repair panel to size.
3. Apply putty to the back of the repair panel.
4. Press the repair panel into position.
5. Tap its surface to make it adhere.
6. Allow the putty to dry before continuing, according to the recommended time.

Once these steps have been followed, all you have to do is sand the area and apply a coat of primer followed by a coat of body paint.

Buy A Fiberglass Repair Kit

If your car has a fiberglass body, it is important to know how to repair it in case of damage! Did you know? There are fiberglass-based repair kits that make the process relatively simple. 

Are you intrigued? Obtain this product online and at most auto parts stores. Once you have your kit, read all the instructions in the package and gather some supplies. You need a kit, some sandpaper and a little elbow grease.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Smooth the surface around the damaged area with the piece of fine-grit sandpaper.
2. Apply the resin to the prepared area using a putty knife.
3. Place the fiberglass on top of the wet resin , then apply another coat of resin over the whole thing.
4. Let dry completely before sanding your repair for a perfect finish.
5. Paint your work with automotive paint.

Filling A Hole With Putty: Instruction For Use

Masking a hole in a car body with putty is relatively simple, but there are a few points to follow if you want to achieve an optimal result. First, you need to sand the area around the hole so that it is clean and smooth. Next, degrease the metal surface with a little alcohol and prepare the putty. 

Apply the latter to the hole using a knife provided for this purpose and smooth the surface. Let the putty dry for 24 hours then sand your work. Finally, protect the putty with a coat of primer and paint your work with car paint matched to the color of your vehicle.

Are you wondering what type of putty to choose? There are different products.

You will buy the one that suits, above all, the nature of the support:

• the universal putty. A versatile and water-repellent product;
• the finishing putty. A product that ensures an aesthetic result;
• metal putty. An aluminum compound that has anti-corrosion properties;
• plastic putty. A putty suitable for elements of the same name;
• fiberglass putty. A tool suitable for laminated surfaces;
• single-component putty . A kind of flexible paste with perfect adhesion.

You now know different techniques for repairing a hole in the bodywork. All you have to do is make your choice!