Changed my mind about using filler on dents after a customer called me out

I used to always sand down small dents and use body filler instead of trying to pull them straight. A guy who restores old cars told me I was just making more work and the filler would crack later. Now I used a stud welder and slide hammer first, and the filler is just for tiny imperfections. Has anyone else switched their approach after getting feedback from a customer or other tech?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray_patel4d ago

Oh man, that's exactly what happened to me a couple years back! A guy restoring a '70s Mustang gave me an earful about filler over dents and it totally changed how I work. Now I always try to pull or hammer as much of the dent out as possible first, and filler is just for the tiny stuff that won't budge. That old school guy was right - the filler cracks and pops out later if you use too much. Feels like I'm actually fixing the metal now instead of just covering it up.

sarah_brown3d ago

Wait, a total stranger just came up and gave you a full lecture on bodywork? That's wild, I can't believe someone would just walk over and start schooling you like that.