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Antique cars are a source of pride and joy for their owners, who frequently put significant time and money into finding them and restoring them. So it can be frustrating when your beautiful classic car gets a dent. The experts at the Charlotte AutoFair, one of the region’s longest running and most beloved vintage auto shows, are classic car lovers just like you. Here they provide tips to remove car dents so your antique stands out among the other collector cars at the fair this year.

Steps to removing a dent from your classic car:

  • Choose The Right Tools: In order to produce the best results possible (i.e. not to ruin the paint job), it’s important that you pick the right hammer. Take a look at the dent and assess its size and depth. Then, choose the smallest, best-shaped hammer that will still be effective. In this case, it’s better to have to give the car a few extra taps as opposed to choosing a larger, more powerful hammer that could damage your vehicle. You’ll also need a dolly— look for one that has the closest curvature to that of the panel you’re working on.
  • Tap Gently: Once you’ve chosen the appropriate hammer and dolly, you’re ready to get to work. Simply place the dolly at the top of the dent and tap (gently) away. Every couple of taps, stop and see if you’re removing the dent. If you’re finding that your taps are creating little convex dents in the side of your car, that’s a sign that you need a hammer with a larger head.
  • Clean Up Details: After what seems like an  appropriate amount of tapping, you might see that the dent evens out with the surface except for one spot that’s too high. If this happens, simply tap the uneven spot with the smaller head of the hammer until it’s level with the rest of the panel.

If you decide to bring your car to a professional mechanic's shop instead of performing the repair yourself, make sure that at least one mechanic on the staff is an antique car restoration specialist. They’ll be more likely to understand the specifics of your vintage vehicle and to take extra precautions when doing any repairs. 

Once your car is back to its pristine condition, why not showcase your efforts at the Charlotte AutoFair? For more than 35 years, the Charlotte AutoFair has played host to countless antique car enthusiasts twice each year. In addition to just about every collector car part and product ever made available in one place, you can also buy and sell antique cars of all makes and models. The Charlotte AutoFair is fun for the whole family; there’s even hotels and full-service campsites nearby.

The Charlotte AutoFair is a veritable playground for all classic car enthusiasts, so whether you're buying, selling, showcasing, or just looking, don't miss out. For more information, visit the official website or call (704) 841-1990 today. 

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