Your car is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s an investment and often a reflection of your personality. However, everyday wear and tear, accidents, and environmental factors can lead to unsightly damage that affects your vehicle’s appearance and value. Dealing with car body damage can be frustrating and expensive, from minor dents to deep scratches, if not appropriately addressed. Fortunately, understanding the most common types of car body damage and how to fix them can save you time, money, and stress.
Got car body damage that needs expert car repair services? Why risk DIY mistakes or low-quality repairs when you can trust professionals with over 50 years of experience? At A.T. Launder Coachworks, we specialise in high-quality car body damage repair, ensuring your vehicle looks as good as new. We have the tools, skills, and expertise to handle minor dents or major collision damage.
Contact us today on 0208 464 9399 or email for a free, no-obligation estimate and let us bring your car back to its best!
Your car deserves the best—trust A.T. Launder Coachworks for expert car body damage repair!
5 Common Types Of Car Body Damages And Their Fixes
1. Dents And Dings
Car body damage, such as dents and dings, is among the most frequent issues that require auto body repair. They are often caused by:
- Parking lot mishaps (e.g., car doors hitting your vehicle)
- Hailstorms
- Minor fender benders
- Stray shopping trolleys
How To Fix Dents And Dings?
DIY Methods
- Plunger method: A simple household plunger can sometimes pop out small dents if they are shallow and on a flat surface.
- Boiling water and suction: Pouring hot water on plastic bumpers and using a suction tool can help reshape minor dents.
Professional Car Body Repair
For larger or deeper dents, auto body repair experts use:
- Paintless Dent Repair (PDR): A highly effective, non-invasive dent repair technique where professionals massage the dented area back into shape without repainting.
- Traditional dent repair: If the dent has damaged the paint, technicians will fill, sand, and repaint the area to restore its original look.
Best solution: If you want a flawless finish, seek professional car body repair to prevent further car body damage or rust formation.
2. Scratches And Paint Damage
Scratches are a common form of car body damage and occur due to:
- Accidental brushing against objects
- Key scratches or vandalism
- Gravel and road debris
- Poor washing techniques
How To Fix Scratches And Paint Damage?
DIY Methods
- Toothpaste or baking soda for minor scratches: Apply circularly to polish out light surface scratches.
- Scratch repair kits: These contain rubbing compounds that can help buff out minor marks.
Professional Car Body Repair
- Machine buffing and polishing: A professional polish can remove superficial scratches and restore the car’s shine.
- Touch-up paint: Minor scratches can be covered with factory-matched touch-up paint.
- Full panel repainting: For deep scratches that reach the metal, sanding, priming, and repainting are necessary to prevent rusting.
Best solution: If the scratch is deep enough to expose metal, professional scratch repair is essential to prevent corrosion and maintain the vehicle’s value.
3. Bumper Damage
Bumper damage is common because bumpers are designed to absorb impact. Causes include:
- Low-speed collisions
- Parking accidents
- Hitting curbs or barriers
How To Fix Bumper Damage?
DIY Methods
- Plastic welding kits: Plastic welding kits can help fuse the broken pieces if the bumper is cracked.
- Bumper scratch repair kits: For minor scrapes, sandpaper and touch-up paint can restore the surface.
Professional Car Body Damage Repair
- Plastic bumper reshaping: Experts use heat and pressure to reshape dents on plastic bumpers.
- Bumper Damage repair: If the damage is severe, replacing the bumper is often the best option to maintain safety and aesthetics.
Best solution: Professional bumper damage repair is recommended for deep cracks or structural damage to maintain the integrity of the bumper and ensure a long-lasting car body damage restoration.
4. Cracked Or Chipped Windshield
A cracked or chipped windshield is another common form of auto body damage, often caused by:
- Flying road debris such as stones
- Temperature changes cause the glass to expand and contract
- Minor accidents and strong impacts
How To Fix Cracked Or Chipped Windshield?
DIY Methods
- Windshield repair kits: These kits use resin to seal small chips, preventing them from spreading.
Professional Repair
- Resin injection: Professionals inject a special resin that bonds the glass for small cracks.
- Full windshield replacement: If the damage is in the driver’s line of sight or larger than a coin, the windshield must be replaced to ensure safety.
Best solution: Any auto body repair involving windshields should be handled promptly, as cracks can spread, compromising visibility and safety.
5. Rust And Corrosion
Rust is a major concern in car body damage prevention, often occurring due to:
- Deep scratches that expose bare metal
- Poorly maintained paintwork
- Road salt during winter driving
How To Fix Rust And Corrosion?
DIY Methods
- Rust removal kits: Use sandpaper and rust converters to treat small rust spots before they spread.
Professional Car Body Repair
- Rust treatment And repainting: The affected area is sanded down, treated with anti-rust primer, and repainted.
- Panel replacement: Replacing the affected panel might be necessary in cases of severe rust.
Best solution: Regular maintenance and car body damage prevention—such as washing, waxing, and applying protective coatings—help avoid rust issues. Seek auto body repair for advanced corrosion before it spreads further.
Contact AT Launder Coachworks
Trust A.T. Launder Coachworks For Professional Car Body Damage Repair Services
Now that we have shared both DIY and professional repair solutions for common car body damage, you may be wondering which route to take. While minor scratches and small dents may be manageable at home, professional car body repairs ensure long-lasting results, expert craftsmanship, and a flawless finish.
At A.T. Launder Coachworks, we bring over 50 years of experience in collision repair, dent repair, bumper damage repair, and full-body restorations. Our skilled technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality materials to restore your vehicle to its original condition. Whether it’s a minor cosmetic issue or major accident damage, we handle every job with precision, care, and attention to detail.
Why Choose Us?
- We are a family-run car body repair serving business in Bromley since 1968.
- We offer free, no-obligation estimates.
- Our expert repairs use the latest technology in Kent and London.
- We provide high-quality paint matching and refinishing.
- Courtesy cars are available while we repair your vehicle.
Get in touch with us today on 0208 464 9399 or email for a free estimate.