DIY Articles: How to Do Auto Body Repair

Whether you’re a classic car restoration hobbyist, body shop owner, service manager, school instructor, used car dealership owner or simply a DIY handyman when it comes to car repairs and restorations, we have you covered with expert insight on how to perform common auto body repair jobs.

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		Gravity Feed vs Conventional Feed Spray Guns When choosing an auto body paint spray gun, you must decide between a gravity feed or conventional feed design. One has a cup on bottom, the other on top...but there's more to it than that. This article clarifies differences between the two spray gun designs, commonalities between them (atomization of fluid) and the advantages/disadvantages of the different designs in light of air pressure. Read More...
		How to Remove a Windshield, Repair/Replace Auto Glass Sometimes, removing and replacing auto glass is necessary for an auto body repair job. Doing a clean job with professional weatherstripping and masking (to keep paint lines out of sight) can difficult, but we show you how to do it right. Oftentimes, you will need to remove the glass in order to do total restorations on classic cars, and this step is critical to get right. Learn all the tools and equipment you need for the job, and do it like a professional. Read More...
		Auto Body Shop Layout & Floor Plans for Anchor Pots Looking for a layout for your auto body shop or home auto repair workshop? Use these floor plans to set up your shop with Champ floor anchor pots, such as the top-selling Champ 1600. By planning it right the first time, you'll make the best use of your space and maximize your options for pulling angles. Read More..
		How to Fix a Dent in a Car: Basic Dent Removal and Refinishing Need tips on how to do basic dent repair? Use these steps to get the job done. You will learn how to rough out the damage and then grind and fill the dent with body filler. From there you will learn how to properly shape and sand the body filler and finish with a final sanding. ...Read More...
		3M™ Perfect-It™ III Paint Finishing System Kit This article gives you step by step instructions on how to do large panel repairs using 3M™'s Perfect-It III Paint Finishing System. Begin with sanding the surface to refine scratches and do texture matching. ...Read More...
		Setup Instructions for Champ Uni-Bench Stall System This guide gives you step-by-step instructions on how to setup the Champ Uni-Bench Stall System. It also gives setup recommendations for the floor anchor layout for the Uni-Bench Stall. ...Read More...
		Installation and Removal Instructions for Floor Anchor Pots A complete guide to installation and removal of Floor Anchor Pots. Also includes instructions for installing anchors for new floors. ...Read More...
		Steck Big Easy Lockout Tools The Steck BigEasy is a 55 inch steel rod coated in a high visibility powder coating. Because of its long length, it is ideal for depressing the unlock button, accessing the pull handle, and lifting the lock button. ...Read More...
		Keep Your Paint Booth Clean & Organized Maximize productivity and keep your paint booth clean by keeping it free of debris and clutter. Hose guides keep your floors clear and you can protect your booth walls liquid coatings. ...Read More...
		Paint Booth Manometers Overtime paint booth filters will clog up. By installing a manometer you can determine exactly when a filter needs to be changed. Don't waste money by switching out your filters prematurely.   ...Read More...
		Paint Booth Lighting Proper paint booth lighting should allow you to properly see paint color without any sort of tinting effects. Paint booth lights should provide consistent lighting throughout the entire interior. You should have good lighting on all areas of the vehicle that is being painted.  ...Read More...
		Paint Booth Ventilation The best way to protect yourself and your employees from danger is to construct a reliable paint booth ventilation system to ensure optimal air flow. Regular spray booth maintenance helps to prolong the life of your spray booth, improve your quality of work and protect your employees. ...Read More...
		How to Fix Hail Damage on a Car Hail damage is one of the most common issues car owners face. Oftentimes, hail damage is mild -- so mild that in some cases it’s barely noticeable. However, there are instances where golf ball- or even baseball-size hail will strike and wreak havoc on cars. Hail damage should always be addressed by a professional body shop, they will have the necessary tools and experience to safely repair your vehicle. ...Read More...
		How to Heat a Paint Booth A paint booth should be kept at at least 55 degrees for best results, but coatings will cure faster in warmer temperatures. Proper paint booth temperature will provide the best results. You can purchase infrared lamps or you can buy a whole paint booth heating unit to heat your paint booth. ...Read More...
		How to Remove Rust from a Car Rust, formally known as iron oxide, forms when iron or a material containing iron is exposed to oxygen and moisture for an extended period of time. Giving your car the tender love and care it deserves will help prevent car rust from forming. Keep up with washing and waxing and store your car in a garage when possible. If you do notice rust forming, take action. ...Read More...
		Types of Automotive Paint Having the best products for fixing rust, sealing bare metal, laying a bold coat of color, and covering your colors with a durable clear coat are all important parts of the perfect paint job. Automotive paint is made of three components: a pigment, which gives the paint its color; a thinner, which levels out the consistency of the paint; and a binder to bind the pigment and thinner. ...Read More...
		5 Common Car Paint Problems & How to Fix Them Car paint problems are a burden for shop owners and auto enthusiasts alike. These can be costly problems due to having to repaint repairs or an entire vehicle. The good news is that, with the proper preparation and technique, they can be avoided. Learn how to avoid and how to fix fisheyes, color mismatches and more. ...Read More...
		Types of Car Sanders Here at Auto Body Toolmart, we stock a vast selection of sanders to meet any need. Whether you’re looking for a sander that will provide a lot of power or something to reach into tricky nooks and crannies, we’re bound to have just the right tool for your needs. ...Read More...
		Types of Car Lifts Car lifts are probably the most important tool in a mechanic’s workspace, and they are used more often throughout a given work day than any other piece of equipment. A car lift is a heavy-duty steel framework that allows the mechanic to lift a car, motorcycle, or heavy vehicle up off the ground in order to offer more workspace and allow easy access to parts of the vehicle that would otherwise be difficult to access had the vehicle remained on the ground. ...Read More...
		Automotive Scan Tools for Cars Scan tools, multimeters, and diagnostic cameras are all essential to the inner workings of the standard garage, with capabilities ranging from identifying and diagnosing or clearing codes to running internal diagnostics and gathering data. ...Read More...
		How to Paint a Car Repainting your own vehicle can sound like a daunting task but is one that lies well within your grasp. Get the proper supplies and prepare your workspace. Painting your own vehicle is time-consuming, so make sure to set aside a few days or several weekends to complete the task. ...Read More...
		Air Compressors for Painting An air compressor is what powers a spray gun, making it an essential tool for any body shop. If yours fails, there’s no way you can finish that paint job unless you buy a new one. Buying a properly sized air compressor for auto painting will help you avoid common painting issues while enhancing your productivity. ...Read More...
		Paint Curing Lamps There are a lot of benefits to using an IR paint curing lamp. IR heat significantly reduces the amount of time required for all air-drying finishes such as primers, base coats, top coats, fillers and fiberglass. ...Read More...
		How to Remove Car Paint There is a proper way to remove paint from a car. The process of removing old paint and rust is quite simple with the right tools and work space.There are three common vehicle paint-removal methods available: sanding, chemical and sandblasting. ...Read More...
		Types of Body Filler Auto body filler is a great way to smooth out a dent or ding as long as it is used properly. It is as much an art form as drywallers are with drywall mudding and sanding. You want the result to look like there was never a dent or damage there. we carry all the Bondo, body filler, fiberglass materials, and hardeners you need to get the job done. ...Read More...
		How to Choose a Car Paint Gun Automotive paint guns come in many sizes, which will allow you to use the right amount of product for the job. A high-quality paint gun is able to adjust for flow, spread, and speed. Learn how to pick the right paint gun for your project here. ...Read More...
		A Guide to Spray Gun Maintenance Items like paint spray guns might seem like a hassle to keep clean and ready-to-use, but with a few tips and tricks, it can be very simple....Read More...
		Different Types of Vehicle Undercoating Undercoating helps protect your vehicle against rust and corrosion. Seals on the underbelly parts have gotten a lot tighter and more effective at keeping out dust and moisture, but there are other factors to consider. ...Read More...
		Car Painting Equipment & Accessories You’ve got your paint booth and paint gun set-ups and your ventilation systems are up to code, but providing employees with a wide range of tools and proper protective gear is also important. ...Read More...
		Auto Body Shop Ventilation Systems Knowing which type of ventilation system is right for your auto body shop can go a long way towards keeping employees healthy and happy, and making sure your business is functioning the way it should by meeting auto repair shop ventilation requirements. ...Read More...
		Paint Booth Size & Dimension Guide Paint booths are an essential item for any auto body shop. They tend to help make painting and refinishing vehicles and parts quicker, easier, and yield better paint results. The type of ventilation system your paint booth will use is an important factor to consider as well. ...Read More...
		How to Fix Frame Damage on a Car When the damage to the cars you repair goes deeper than dings and dents on the surface, you will need the help of an experienced auto body shop with the proper equipment to restore its shape. Auto body frame machines are ideal when you need to restore the frame to its original shape quickly, easily, and safely. ...Read More...
		Prepping a Car for Paint Painting your own vehicle can actually be a simple process if you’ve thoroughly prepped the car for paint. Making sure you have the proper space and tools will also be highly beneficial to achieving a clean and timely paint finish. ...Read More...
		Ways to Increase Auto Body Shop Efficiency & Productivity Having the right tools on hand can go a long way towards boosting your auto body shop productivity and efficiency. There are a number easy and cost-effective ways to increase your shop efficiency, and the proper methods will vary depending on each shop’s current supply levels and needs. For one shop, it might be as simple as designating a specific area or space for cleaning materials and parts, while for another it might mean expanding their portable tool list. ...Read More...
		Auto Body Welding Tips & Techniques: A Guide The main types of automotive welding are MIG, TIG, and Arc welding. Welding can be a dangerous process, yet an essential for any auto body shop. Understanding how to weld safely and effectively will benefit your shop. Understanding the differences between these welding methods is crucial and will help you determine which type of welding is necessary to complete your repair. ...Read More...
		Paint Booth Flooring Covering Options Keeping your paint booth flooring in tip top shape should be a must for anyone in the auto body business. Protect from overspray and other contaminants with little or no mess! Choose from spray, film or paper. Learn the benefits of each ...Read More...
		Spray Gun Problems HVLP spray guns are the most popular type of spray gun on the market today. Here are some of the most common HVLP paint gun issues and how to fix them. If it’s not working the way it should be, you might be in trouble.But before you throw in the towel and buy a new spray gun, rest assured that some paint gun issues can be easily fixed. ...Read More...
		Automotive Primers Primer is an essential step in the painting process. It can be used as a sealer or surfacer. Deciding which type of automotive primer to use doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing. ...Read More...
		Pearlescent vs Metallic vs Non Metallic Car Paint Auto paint options like metallic or pearlescent will reflect sunlight and create layers of color and shimmer. Let’s break down the different types of auto paint finishes, from metallic to pearlescent to matte to standard, and the differences between each one. ...Read More...
		Air Compressor Troubleshooting Guide It’s extremely important to perform routine maintenance on your compressor just as you would with any other machine or tool. Even by doing proper maintenance sometimes compressors break down. Check your owners manual for tips or checkout our troubleshooting guide. ...Read More...
		Tools Needed for Auto Body Repair Whether you are getting a body shop up and running for the first time, or just giving a facelift to the services you are offering, make sure you have all the proper tools to get the job done. Use our guide to get started! ...Read More...
		How to Bend & Form Sheet Metal Sheet metal fabrication will be used from fixing bumpers to smoothing out door panels.  Use our guide to learn the basics of metal bending, forming, and shaping and the tools needed to get the job done. ....Read More...
		Sherwin-Williams Automotive Guide Whether you’re searching for the best products for restoration or simple collision repair, Sherwin Williams delivers a quality paint with a glossy, outlasting color that can be factory matched for the most desirable look. Learn why they make a great choice for anyone renovating, fixing, or changing the color of a car. ....Read More...
		Car Paint Application Methods & Tools No matter how well-built a car is, it will never be complete without it’s paint. First, it’s important to determine what type of paint job you will be doing. Each type of paint job will require different techniques, as well as different tools. ....Read More..
		Fix Your Cracked Windshield Have a chip or crack in your windshield and looking to fix on your own? Follow these steps from Auto Body Toolmart for a professional repair. ...Read More...
		How to Apply Body Filler Body filler is a great way to smooth out a dent or ding as long as it is used properly. Follow our guide on how to properly apply body filler. ...Read More...
		Tools for Your Home Body Shop Just like every good workshop, you already have the staples - hammers, wrenches, pliers, screw drivers. Once in a while you may have run into a time when you wished you had a particular tool, but otherwise you think you have the basics covered. Use our guide to get started. ...Read More...
		Body Shop Lighting Guide Whether you’re doing paint work, working under the hood or under the car, you’ll need the right lights for the job. This guide will help you find what you need! ...Read More...
		Guide to Air Compressor Accessories, Attachments & Parts If you own an auto shop or home repair shop, you know the value of an air compressor. Make sure you have the attachments you need from Auto Body Toolmart! ...Read More...
		A Guide to the OTC Tools Brand To do your best work, you need the best tools. Fill your auto shop with tools from a quality brand. Learn all about the OTC brand here! ...Read More...
		How to Choose a Paint Booth Filter Choosing the right filter is a matter of knowing the different types of filters available, what each filter offers, and how well they’d coordinate with the filtration system you’ve implemented in your shop. ...Read More...
		Air Tools Maintenance Guide By maintaining the air tools you depend on you are ensuring longer life expectancy, safety, and operational quality, all of which are necessary for any business. Read our guide to keep your air tools in running like new. ...Read More...
		Automotive Masking Tapes, Specialty Tapes & Applications There are various masking tapes are made for different applications, uses, and budgets. But no matter your budget or project, you can be sure that their masking tape will do the job. ...Read More...
		How To Choose Air Filters For Your Compressors Protect your air compressors and other air tools from pollutants, water, dust and other particles by installing an air filter. ...Read More...
		Why Dust Extraction Matters Reduce the amount of dust in the air from sanding and improve cycle time. ...Read More...