Sometimes, the cost of professionally repairing an older car may cost more than it's actually worth. Small dents and holes can possibly be repaired yourself if you are very careful in doing so. If you need to completely replace a fender, make sure its replacement is from a reputable vendor. Repainting a car may also be needed, especially after any repair work.
Removing Body Parts
If you must replace an entire fender or other body part. You must first safely disconnect the old piece. Locate every bolt, clip or fastener holding the body part in place and remove them all. If you do this, the piece will come off easily. Don't force off the part if it sticks, or it will break off. There is always one bolt or fastener you haven't found that is hidden somewhere; search carefully for it. When connecting the new piece or re-attaching the old one, the reverse is true. Connect it with every single bolt and fastener.
Repairing Dents
Fixing dents depends on the size of the dent. You can pound out very small dents with a soft hammer. Aim for the center of the dent and use short, small taps to prevent protrusions. Medium-sized dents can be pulled out from the outside using a large suction cup with a handle. Place the cup along the outer edge of the dent and pull, then make your way toward the center. Large dents will require you to remove the fender as described above. Once it's removed, pound the dent with a heavy hammer; hold a dolly on the outside to prevent protrusions. Use vise-grip pliers to repair any supports that have been bent out of place.
Patching Holes
If you are patching any holes in the body, first wipe away any rust around the area--excessive rust is a main source of holes. If you use an oil-based lubricant to do so, wipe it away completely afterward. Use 18 to 22 gauge metal for the patch and weld it in place with a wire-feed welding torch. Use extreme caution and keep the flame temperature as low as possible; car body metal is very thin and can warp easily. Keep a fire extinguisher handy when using the torch.
Repainting
Remove the old paint from the damaged area after repair with a power sander or grinder; if the top coat is peeling, remove all paint from the entire surface. Apply a coat of urethane primer to the unpainted surface using a paint gun, then "block" the primer with 400-grit sandpaper wrapped around a rigid block to smooth it out. Make sure all dirt and moisture is gone from the surface, and cover any areas not to be painted using thick cloth, masking tape and/or tarp. Apply three to six coats of paint with the paint gun, using short, even strokes and waiting 30 minutes in between coats. After the last coat is dry, apply clear coat paint in the same manner and wait 24 hours.
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