Precision Auto Body Car Dent Repair Hammer and Dolly Techniques

In the first part in this 12 part bodywork video series, Kent Bergsma will show you some basic hammer and dolly techniques he uses to reshape a damaged area in the front fender on his 2000 Mercedes E430 Sport. Both off-dolly and on-dolly hammering is discussed. He will show you some basic tools you will need if you plan on doing this type of repair yourself. Do not be afraid to try it. It can be more mentally and financially rewarding to do it yourself. To view additional parts in this series click on links below:

When completed, this will be 12 part series on how to fix a dent with inexpensive hand tools. This series will be geared for the home D.I.Y. er who wants to learn to do auto body repair themselves. To view the full playlist click on this link:    • Precision Auto Body Dent Repair Techniques  

The series will begin with Kent showing how to hammer out the front of a damaged front fender and will end with priming and sanding the filled dent in preparation for repainting. Final painting will NOT be covered in this series. Other than a small air sander to grind off the oil paint no power tools will be used. Subjects covered will be:

Hammer and dolly techniques
Types of body filler
Mixing techniques and tools to spread body filler
Safety precautions
Preparing the damaged area for application of filler
Is it worth using the best fillers?
Use of short strand filler
Roughing in the dent with base application of filler
Use of cheese grater (suraform plane)
Different types of hand sanding blocks
Types of sand paper to use
Tapping down high spots
Application of final coat of body filler
How to check final fit of parts before final blocking and priming
Final sanding techniques
Use of guide coat during final sanding
Preparation of application of spray can primer
Use of guide coat during the priming process
Final wet sanding and checks

PLEASE NOTE: Top coat ( final painting is not covered in this series.