South Africans tend to place a lot of faith in their DIY abilities, and that extends to at-home vehicle maintenance and repair, which may be compromising car parts and panels.
Many people buy into car-care hacks or quick fixes, but these may be causing more harm than good in the long run.
The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association’s (SAMBRA) Alewyn Muller and Hendrik Griesel say that there are many common panel beating myths they encounter within the industry.
Muller, SAMBRA Vice Chairman for the Free State and Northern Cape, explains that motorists are often shocked to discover how sensitive modern automotive paints, plastics, and even safety systems have become.
“A simple scratch or small bump can hide underlying issues you won’t see until the damage has spread,” he said.
Griesel, SAMBRA Chairman for the Eastern Cape, noted that what looks like an easy fix often ends up being a costly repair.
“With today’s complex vehicle construction, even minor damage can compromise safety-critical components,” he added.
One of the biggest myths SAMBRA wants motorists to stop believing is that a small scratch or scuff is harmless.
In reality, any break in a vehicle’s protective clear coat exposes its paintwork to UV and moisture, leading to the formation of rust that spreads unnoticed, eventually necessitating a full respray.
Just because a car’s bumper is intact and the car drives normally, that does not mean there is no underlying damage.
Modern bumpers house foam energy absorbers and crash sensors, which means any light impact could crush these components, compromising sensors and putting drivers at risk in an accident.
Common repair myths, including using household abrasives like toothpaste or baking soda to polish out scratches, could dull paint and leave patches that require professional polishing and even repainting.
Plungers are also best left as plumbing tools and not as dent removers. DIY dent removal often stretches a car’s panel and can pull paint off entirely.
Should this occur, buying touch-up paint from a hardware store that matches your car won’t be the solution. Modern cars use complex paints and finishes, and brush marks and uneven colours draw more attention.
The misconception that replacement parts arrive already painted is also false, as new parts are shipped in primer only, and colour matching and painting need to be done in a workshop.
Should motorists heed the warnings and make use of panel beaters, hairline cracks do not necessarily indicate paint defects or poor workmanship. These can occur when a bumper is pushed or squeezed.
“If something presses against a flexible bumper, the paint can crack. This doesn’t automatically indicate bad workmanship,” explained Griesel.
Advice for motorists
Beyond busting the myths surrounding panel beaters and DIY fixes, SAMBRA also shared essential car care and maintenance tips to help extend the lifespan of paintwork and improve driving safety.
Motorists and car owners are urged to wash their cars regularly, as salt and road contaminants can be extremely corrosive.
Similarly, bird droppings, tree sap and fallout need to be cleaned within 48 hours, as these are acidic and etch permanently into a car’s paintwork.
Stone chips also need to be repaired early to avoid rust settling and spreading beneath the car’s paint surface.
Should a driver hit a pothole or kerb, wheel alignment may be necessary. Alloy wheels may also crack easily, while bent tie rods are not always visible.
Repeated use of DIY cutting polishes or similar abrasives should be avoided, as they can burn through a car’s clear coat in only a few applications.
Motorists are encouraged to reach out to a panel beater when unsure of repair work or needs, as an inspection may determine whether repairs are needed or not.
Furthermore, keeping invoices from accredited repairers is good practice, as documented repairs could add value when selling a vehicle, while cash jobs with no paperwork may raise suspicion.
“If something looks off, even slightly, get it checked. Cars today are engineered to very tight tolerances, and small issues can quickly escalate,” noted Griesel.
Muller added that motor body repairers are there to help protect not only vehicles, but also motorists and their safety.
“A quick conversation with a qualified repairer is always better than taking a chance on an untested shortcut,” he said.
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