I plan on repainting my 97 DX soon, there are quite a few of little dings and dents. The worst dent is about 2 inches big. I'm going to do the prep myself and have Maaco do the job since I am not a painting type of guy. I just rattle can. Would it be better to just have the dents popped or whilst prepping just use filler?

 

It is always better to pop the dent out if possible.

 

If theyre really small like pinky tip, just grind down and use filler. If theyre slightly bigger, a stud gun is a good thing to have from what i've learned. Trying to pull it out as much as possible with a stud gun, then using minimal filler is the best option.

 

Alright. Think a stud gun is a good investment? I don't really do much body work though.

 

Stud gun is a real good investment (Slide hammer needed with it of course) if you plan to ever remove dents/partially remove dents again on any car in the future.

http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Spot-100.../dp/B000HHW1HG

$181 for that kit with the slide hammer, im sure you can find them cheaper thoug, thats just a example.

 

Small door dings and such you just need some icing. Feel with your hand and make sure there are no high spots around the dent. If there are then you will have to tap them down gently with a hammer and then fill with icing. Make sure you go a bit bigger then the ding b/c you want to be able to blend it into the car. It's not hard just takes some time.

 

smaller dents you can fill over but the dent that is about 2 inches if you can get to it fromn the back side pound it out with a body hammer. then once you have it out as far as you can get it filler it and make sure to feather edge ALL filler spots or it will look like hell when its painted