Bodywork

The best way to treat a dent is to raise the metal almost to its original level, then to level the surface with a thin layer of plastic body filler. You can do this with most of the plastic filler kits available. Read more

If a hole in the bodywork is not in a load-bearing area, such as a section of the chassis , it may be repaired with glass fibre, body filler or the more recently introduced filler-fibre mixture. Read more

On a fairly new car, covering the underbody with sealing compound will discourage corrosion. It can be sprayed on under pressure or brushed on. Read more

Cars with electrically operated windscreen washers sometimes have a switch controlling the motor incorporated within the windscreen-wiper switch. If the motor does not work, check first that the switch is functioning; if it is, check the wiring to the washer motor (See How to test electrical circuits ). Read more

As well as replacing a door because it has become rusted or been damaged in an accident , you may also need to do this job before a respray. With the doors off, the door pillars and inside surfaces can then be resprayed properly. Read more

One way of changing your car's appearance is to fit a front or rear spoiler. These can also reduce the drag factor and improve stability. Read more

Mention plastic cars, and most people think of the leaky, creaky and crazed bodywork so common on glass fibre cars of the 1960s. Read more

When a car manufacturer decides to produce a new model, the styling, or design, of the new car is one of a number of factors that need to be decided. Read more