Repairing small "dings" and dents can be a relatively simple job. Save money and time - do it yourself. You may learn something in the process. And added plus: you don't have to depend on body shops for these small but necessary repairs. Doing these repairs yourself can give you a lot of satisfaction; plus your Dodge Ram 50 will always look great.
Caution: do not drink alcohol, smoke, or wear clothing like a necktie that could become entangled in moving parts. Beware of hot surfaces, sharp objects, and potentially harmful or poisonous materials in the work area. Always wear a dust mask, safety glasses, and latex gloves when working.
Be sure you have all of the tools and supplies you will need before you start work.
Remove any parts from your Dodge Ram 50 pickup that might inhibit access, including mirrors, door trim panels, inner fender shields, etc.
Use a drill with a wire wheel drill bit or a dual-action sander with coarse-grit paper or grinding disc to remove any surface rust.
For dents less than one-eighth of an inch deep, strip then sand the paint surrounding the dent. After you remove the paint, apply spot putty or body filler to the area. Following the contour of your vehicle, apply body filler or putty in thin even coats.
After the filler hardens, rough-sand the area using a sanding block with 80-grit sandpaper. Again follow the contours of the vehicle. If you need more body filler, repeat the previous step. Finish-sand with 180-grit sandpaper.
Access bigger dents from the rear. Use a hammer and dolly, and reshape them to the original contour. (Note: Body hammers vary in shape and size. Dollies are hand-held pieces of hardened steel that are also available in many sizes and shapes. The nature of the dent and the contour of the body panel will determine which tool you use.)
Hold the dolly flush against the exterior side of the dent. Tap the interior side of the dent with the hammer until you achieve the desired contour. Be sure you allow the dolly to "bounce" so that the metal panel does not stretch.
For dents that are not accessible from the rear, use a slide-hammer dent puller. With the slide hammer, attach the screw onto the center of the dent and softly tap the dent out. (For a large or odd-shaped dent, you may have to do this in a couple of areas.) Remove the screw. Grind off any raised metal around the resultant hole(s).
Fill the hole with spot putty and allow it to dry. Sand to flush. Finish-sand with very fine sandpaper (minimum 400 grit).
Paint over the sanded area with touch-up paint. It is not necessary to prime unless you can see bare metal. Touch-up paint for most vehicles is available in aerosol cans. For larger painting tasks, consult with a professional before you start.
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