How to Repair Dents & Scratches on a 2004 Jetta

The 2004 Volkswagen Jetta was available in a sedan, wagon or diesel model, and each had different color choices. There were a combined total of 14 different colors available for 2004 Jetta cars. All of the colors were either metallic or pearl, with the exception of the black and white color choices. Though not a common enough complaint to warrant a recall, many Jetta owners have noticed that their cars have very thin paint coats. With dents and scratches on your Jetta, it's likely that the paint is cracked or flaking off around the damage.

Instructions

Dents

1

Park the Jetta in the shade, so that the painted surface is cool to the touch. Preparation work can be done in a driveway or garage, though painting should be done in a paint booth or in a clean, well ventilated garage.

2

Sand the dent with 80-grit sandpaper, so that all of the paint inside and up to three inches surrounding the dent is removed. Leave only the bare metal showing, since body filler only adheres properly to metal.

3

Wipe a thick amount of body filler onto the dent, using a plastic squeegee. Smooth the filler, but make sure it over-fills the dent, so that it is taller than the surrounding surface. Let the filler dry for one hour.

4

Sand the dried filler using 320-grit sandpaper placed on a sanding block until it is smooth and level with the car's surface. Sand in an X-shaped pattern over the filler, using the long side of the block as the leading edge. This helps sand the filler evenly, without leaving high or low spots. The 2004 Jetta has mostly straight, flat body panels (there was a small flare in the fenders above the tires and the rounded edges, along the top of the fenders). If the filler is in these areas, allow the sanding block to follow the curves without cutting into the edge or losing the shape of the rounded edge.

5

Place automotive masking paper and tape around the repaired dent, so that only the filler and a few inches around it are showing. If the repair is close to an area that can't be painted, such as a headlight or window, cover that part completely to prevent excess pray from landing on it.

6

Spray a moderate coat of primer over the sanded filler. Hold the sprayer 10 to 14 inches from the surface and move it left and right, not up and down. Let the primer dry for two hours. Sand over the dried primer with 600-grit sandpaper, until the rough texture of the primer is smooth.

7

Apply a total of 3 to 5 coats of matching paint to the repaired area of the Jetta. Use the same spraying techniques as used with the primer. Let each coat dry for five minutes. Allow 10 minutes for the final coat to dry before adding the clear coat paint. The clear coat paint should be applied in the same way as the base color coat. Let the final clear coat dry for 24 hours.

Scratches

8

Sand the scratch lengthwise and diagonally, using 800-grit sandpaper. Fold the sandpaper in half and use only the rounded edge if the scratch is small. Sand just enough to smooth the hard edge of the scratch.

9

Apply matching touch-up paint to the scratch, using the applicator. Use three or four coats of paint, letting each coat dry for 10 minutes. Let the final coat dry for an hour.

10

Sand the repainted scratch with 1200-grit sandpaper. Sand just enough to smooth the area of any paint that is sitting higher than the original surface of the Jetta.

11

Place a dime-sized amount of polishing compound on a cotton towel. Work the compound in small circular motions over the touch-up paint. This helps the touched-up area blend in with the surrounding paint. The compound will disappear as it is worked into the surface. Use a dry towel to buff the area by hand.