Torque Shop: Repairing non-steel car body panels

There is an increasing number of cars with body panels which are made of materials other than steel. The main reason for using these substitutes is they are lighter than steel.

Small dents on aluminium can be beaten back to shape. However, more serious damage is usually impossible to repair because it tends to stretch out of shape during the hammering process. Cutting and welding of aluminium can also be complicated and require special equipment and skills.