If you've got some minor damage on your car, then you might be a little hesitant about bringing it into the repair shop. After all, you don't necessarily want to pay a bunch of money if you can do the job on your own. If you are interested in conducting minor repairs on your own, consider a fiberglass repair kit.

Why fiberglass?

Fiberglass is an incredibly versatile material that is commonly used in many aspects of construction and manufacturing. It is actually a very strong type of plastic that can even be in cloth form. This cloth form of fiberglass (along with a resin mixture) is the basis of a fiberglass repair kit.

So what is a fiberglass repair kit?

A fiberglass repair kit is an auto repair tool that is simple enough to be used by the average consumer. It doesn't require complex or expensive machinery. All you will need is some sandpaper, gloves, a cutting implement such as scissors or a knife, and the fiberglass repair kit. In some cases you might also want to use your own brush for applying the product.

Within a fiberglass repair kit, there will be a fiberglass cloth, some liquid resin, and hardener. By combining these three materials, you can create a solution that will harden into a patch on your car. Ideally, this fiberglass patch will be virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the body, especially after paint and coating is applied.

How does a fiberglass repair kit work?

1. Generally, you're going to want to sand the damage site before actually getting down to business. You'll want the site to be as smooth as possible in order to make the transition between the patch and body as flawless as possible. When prepping the site, you should sand a few extra inches in every direction in order to ensure consistency in the final product.
2. Once you have prepared the site, you'll want to follow the directions in the fiberglass repair kit to first cut the fiberglass cloth, and then to mix the resin and the hardener. Remember to wear gloves and use the provided containers for mixing. If you fail to do so, the solution might not have the right consistency.
3. When cutting out the right size and shape for the fiberglass patch, you will need to cut out several layers. They will rest one on top of another, extending into the damage site. Most damage will be somewhat conical, so you will need a small layer at the bottom, then increasingly large layers as you approach the exterior.
4. At this point, you will need to combine the resin and hardener in the recommended proportions. Once sufficiently mixed, you are ready to begin the repair process.
5. Place the smallest piece of fiberglass cloth into the damage site and then spread the resin/hardener solution on top of it. Repeat this process with every piece of cut cloth until all pieces have been used.
6. At this point, you will need to let the solution rest overnight. You will then be able to beautify the site and correct the texture.

If you would rather have a professional help you with these repairs, visit Central Body Co Inc.