Car Maintenance | DontKnowCars.com

Today’s cars are build differently from their fathers and grandfathers. Older cars used thick metal body components (doors, fenders, bumpers) to minimize damage from impact. Today’s cars are built with a sturdy frame (called unibody construction) onto which body panels are hung for decoration. Today’s cars are actually safer in the event of an accident, but these body panels don’t take much abuse. (In fact, just leaning on some cars can dent the body!)

Car Words

A body panel is a removable component of the car’s body. Common body panels include front fenders and rear quarter panels, as well as bumpers, hood, trunk, roof, and doors. (The exterior surface of a door or other moving component is sometimes referred to as the skin.) Body panes are typically constructed of metal or plastic.

Eventually, someone else’s car is going to bump, slam, scratch, or roll into your car’s body. If the damage is a deep scratch, you can try applying a metal rubbing compound (available from your trusty auto parts store) to make it look less noticeable. You’ll be amazed at what it can do! (If you need to touch up the paint, see that section later in this section.)