It's no secret that dents make a vehicle less visually appealing, leading many drivers to feel self-conscious about operating a car that's full of dings, bumps, and indentations. However, dents can cause more serious automotive issues, which is why it is important to schedule prompt dent repair at the first sign of even minor body damage. Below are three reasons to have dents fixed right away.

3 Benefits of Getting Immediate Dent Repairs

1. Prevent Rust

Not much impact is required to dent a vehicle and mar the paint. Cracks or scrapes in a car's paint make it more susceptible to water damage. Water will seep into these openings, no matter how small, and come in contact with the metal underneath the paint and clearcoat. Soon, the water will oxidize the metal, and the car will begin to rust. When a car rusts, it needs quick attention, or the rust spot will spread until it has destroyed all the metal on the vehicle.

2. Maintain Paint Color

Almost immediately after a car is dented, the paint around the affected area looks noticeably different. It usually appears duller and mismatched from the surrounding colors. Over time, the paint over the dent may chip or flake, which will only be worsened when washing the vehicle or even just running a hand across the dent. Dent repair ensures that your vehicle retains its bright, uniform color and that the paint doesn't have a chance to chip away to such an extent that it causes rust.

3. Avoid More Costly Repairs

A small dent is an easier and less labor-intensive fix than one that has had time to evolve into a larger dent. Removing rust, repainting a vehicle, or using specialized tools like dent pullers and stud welders require much more in-depth and costlier processes than a simple small dent repair. Geographic areas prone to extreme weather like frequent thunderstorms or snowfalls, or areas near saltwater that have high salt content in the air, will create conditions that worsen dent damage very quickly. This will lead to the need for more complex fixes in the near future. 

If your car has been dented, visit the auto body professionals at Bob Hastings Collision. Since 1972, they have been providing a variety of auto body repair services to the East Rochester, NY, area. In addition to dent repair, they offer car detailing, painting, restorations, and collision services. Call (585) 383-8150 to speak to a team member or visit them online to learn more about their services.