Not sure what you need? Ask Metalflake.
We’ve supplied automotive refinishing products since 1967. Tell us what you’re repairing and we’ll help you work out the right products for the job.
Call 020 8397 6198 • Email info@metalflake.com
Can I repair this myself?
Small dents, shallow creases, filler repairs and cosmetic panel damage can be realistic DIY projects if you are patient with preparation and sanding. Large sharp creases, stretched metal, structural damage, corrosion around safety-critical areas or repairs that need welding are better handled by an experienced bodyshop.
Small or medium cosmetic dent, accessible panel, no major rust, no structural damage.
Deep crease, exposed metal, mixed substrates, existing paint reaction or uncertain coating system.
Structural damage, welded repairs, severe corrosion or safety-critical areas.
The job in one line
Everything you need
The exact basket depends on the damage and paint system, but every stage below has a recommended Metalflake product so you know what to buy and when to use it.
| 01 |
Clean & degrease Tetrosyl PWD005 Panel Wipe 5L – PWS050 Starchem Tack Cloths 10 Pack – SCMB10 |
| 02 |
Initial sanding & shaping Indasa Redline P80 150mm Discs – REDD15P80 Starchem P150 PSA Discs – PSA150 Indasa Redline P240 150mm Discs – REDD15P240 Start only as coarse as the repair needs, then progress finer as the shape improves. |
| 03 |
Main filler U-POL Easy 1 Deep Body Filler 3L – EASY7 |
| 04 |
Mix & apply Mixing Board – BOARD Plastic Filler Spreaders 10 Pack – PS10 |
| 05 |
Fine finishing glaze U-POL Dolphin Glaze 440ml – BAGDOL |
| 06 |
Primer filler ProXL Ultra Build Primer Filler Black 500ml – ULTRABUILDBK |
| 07 |
Masking 3M Fine Line Masking Tape 3mm x 33m – 3M06404 Indasa 19mm Masking Tape – 19MT Use suitable paper or film as required to protect the surrounding panel and trim. |
| 08 |
Colour & clearcoat Recommended: a colour-matched paint system and compatible clearcoat selected for your vehicle and repair method. Call 020 8397 6198 or email info@metalflake.com and we’ll specify the right products before you order. Do not mix paint-system components unless compatibility is confirmed. |
| 09 |
Primer & pre-colour refinement Indasa Redline P320 150mm Discs – REDD15P320 Starchem P400 PSA Discs – PSA400 Indasa Redline P500 150mm Discs – REDD15P500 |
| 10 |
Final finish Farécla G3 Advanced Liquid Compound 1L – FERG3/BOTTLE |
| 11 |
PPE 3M Maintenance-Free Paint Spray Respirator – 3M6941 PPE must suit the exact product being used. Isocyanate/2K spraying can require air-fed respiratory protection; check the product safety data and call us if unsure. |
Step-by-step: from dent to paint-ready panel
1. Assess the damage before touching it
Check whether the panel is simply dented or whether the metal has stretched, cracked, rusted or split. Decide how much shaping can be done before filler. Filler should refine the repair, not replace basic panel straightening.
2. Clean the repair area
Remove grease, wax, finger marks and contamination before sanding. Contamination dragged into the repair can cause adhesion problems and paint defects later.
Tetrosyl PWD005 Panel Wipe 5L – PWS050
3. Sand and key the damaged area
Abrade the damaged area and feather the surrounding paint so there are no sharp paint edges. Use a coarser abrasive only where material removal is needed, then move progressively finer as the surface improves.
4. Apply the main body filler
Mix only the amount you can apply within the product’s working time. Spread firmly into the repair, building the shape slightly proud of the surrounding panel so you have enough material to shape it accurately once cured.
U-POL Easy 1 Deep Body Filler 3L – EASY7
Mixing Board – BOARD · Plastic Spreaders – PS10
5. Shape the filler
Once the filler has cured, shape it in controlled stages rather than trying to finish it with one abrasive. Start coarser while you are establishing the contour, then move finer as you approach the final panel shape.
6. Use a finishing glaze for pinholes and tiny defects
A fine glaze fills the tiny pinholes and scratches left after shaping. It is for refinement, not for rebuilding the dent.
U-POL Dolphin Glaze 440ml – BAGDOL
7. Final sand, clean and mask
Refine the repair until the transition into the surrounding panel disappears, remove sanding dust, degrease again and mask carefully.
8. Apply primer filler
Primer filler helps reveal and fill the last small imperfections while providing a more uniform base for colour.
ProXL Ultra Build Primer Filler Black 500ml – ULTRABUILDBK
9. Refine the primer before colour
Once cured, sand the primer with the correct finishing grade for your chosen paint system. The aim is a flat, even, contamination-free surface with no visible repair edge or deep sanding marks.
Indasa Redline P320 – REDD15P320
Starchem P400 – PSA400
Indasa Redline P500 – REDD15P500
10. Apply colour and clearcoat
Colour matching and paint-system compatibility are critical. Tell us the vehicle, colour and repair method and we’ll specify the correct colour coat and compatible clearcoat rather than guessing.
Call 020 8397 6198 or email info@metalflake.com for the exact colour and clearcoat system.
11. Compound and polish only when the coating is ready
After the coating has cured sufficiently, suitable defects can be refined and polished.
Farécla G3 Advanced Liquid Compound 1L – FERG3/BOTTLE
Common mistakes that ruin body repairs
- Applying filler over contamination or unsuitable glossy paint.
- Using too much filler instead of straightening the panel first.
- Jumping from coarse sanding straight to primer without refining scratches.
- Skipping finishing glaze when pinholes are visible.
- Priming before the panel is genuinely flat.
- Mixing products from incompatible paint systems without checking.
- Trying to solve poor preparation with extra coats of paint.
Your complete body repair checklist
☐ Panel wipe / degreaser
☐ Cleaning cloths
☐ Coarse, medium and fine abrasives
☐ Sanding block / suitable sanding tools
☐ Main body filler
☐ Mixing board
☐ Filler spreaders
☐ Finishing glaze
☐ Tack cloths
☐ Masking tape
☐ Masking paper or film
☐ Primer filler
☐ Correct colour coat
☐ Compatible clearcoat where required
☐ Compound / polish
☐ Suitable PPE
Still unsure about your repair?
Send us details of the panel, the damage and the finish you’re trying to achieve. We’ll help you work through the products you need before you order.
Always follow the latest manufacturer technical and safety data for the specific products you use. Wear appropriate PPE and check product compatibility before application.