Thinking about making body repairs to that beat up old car or truck? The process isn’t as complex as it may seem. With the right set of tools, a little patience, and a YouTube tutorial or two, you can get your car back to good as new.  

To get you started, here are some of the automotive repair tools that body shops use.

Sandpaper and Sanding Blocks – Sandpaper is indispensable for working on paint and rust. Sanding blocks help the process by creating a flat, uniform surface.

Rotary Sander and Pads – Sometimes sanding by hand may be the best way to go. For the rest of the time, why make things harder than they have to be? A rotary sander will make short work of paint and superficial rust.

Grinder – For more pervasive rust, you may need a grinder to work your way down to the metal. Depending on your setup, you can use a grinder for more challenging body work like cutting and filing.

Hammer and Dolly Set – Hammers are essential to knocking out dents, while the dolly will help you direct the metal where it’s supposed to go.

Rust Treatment- Improperly treated rust can be a killer for a new paint job. If you’re going to take the time to work the rust off the body of your car, be safe and treat it with some rust cleaner/remover.

Body Filler – There are a number of fillers on the market. Body filler is used to fill various holes and irregularities in a car’s body.

Putty Knives and Spreaders – All you need to apply body filler is a putty knife or spreader. After it hardens, you can use your sandpaper to work out the edges and make it flush with the rest of the body.

Auto Body Car Paint – Whether you’re doing touch-ups or you’re going to have to paint the whole car, you don’t have to break the bank here. A couple of cans of paint at discount auto body supply shop will take you as far as you need to go.

Protective Gear (Gloves, Respirator, Glasses) – Sharp edges, flying sparks, and corrosive materials are stock and trade for an auto repair professional. They know how important it is to protect themselves with the appropriate safety gear.

Rags, Cleaning Supplies and Drop Cloths – Auto body repair is messy work. Keeping a clean environment will help make sure the job gets done right.

Those are just some of the primary tools an auto body repair professional would use. You may need all of them or you may only need a few. It all depends on your particular vehicle and the condition it’s in. If you head down to your friendly auto repair supplier, they can help you get more specific.

Good luck!

Note: These items are for use by trained professionals only. Annex is not responsible for any misuse or misapplication of any material. Always follow all manufacturer’s recommendations for proper use, and always obey all local laws.