3M Dent Repair - Web Exclusive

Last month, we had a visit from 3M Auto-body Repair Products at our Tech Center and they showed us some of their latest products including their pint size Bondo Body Repair Kits made of the same top quality material that we have learned to trust over 60 years of the brand's existence. These easy-to-use body repair kits are all you need to get started. Designed as a one-time usage filler, the kits are perfect for small applications or small projects.

When you're faced with dealing with minor dings that need to be repaired, this kit comes complete with sand paper, activator, and Bondo, making it ready to go! The kit is definitely the ideal option to help you learn the basics of bodywork, but if you're looking to do a whole car then you'll want to get the gallon version instead of the pint-sized kit. Now follow along as the pros at 3M show us how to fill in a dent using the latest Bondo basics.

1. This chart on the painted panel shows the 8 steps involved when removing a ding or small dent.

2. They took a hammer to this panel so we had a small dent to start with for this tech.

3. Using some aggressive sandpaper and an air grinder, the task was to strip down the paint.

4. To make sure that there was adhesion and a good bond, the paint was removed, taking the panel down to bare metal.

5. These mixing boards are usually reusable boards, so using a clean mixing board will help the Bondo mix correctly.

6. When you add the activator, you need to mix your Bondo until you are close to the color of the spreader. The salmon color of the spreader was made intentionally, allowing a beginner to know when the mix was done.

7. The Bondo was spread thinly while following the shape of the panel.

8. Using the proper sandpaper, the first coat of Bondo was knocked off. Since the dent was not too bad, it didn't need much sanding to smooth it out and get it back to the original shape.

9. Instead of spreading the spot putty on the section that we were working on, we applied it on the spreader. This allowed the putty to be applied evenly from the first application.

10. Bondo Glazing and Spot Putty is a 1-part putty that fills imperfections, pinholes in body filler, scratches, and paint chips.

11. Some fine sanding was used to smooth out the putty and help blend it to the Bondo.

12. This panel was ready to be sealed, blended, and color matched.