A metal entry door is a phenomenal way to beef up the security of a business or home. Yet, for all their benefits where security is concerned, they do have one frequently encountered weakness: their susceptibility to dents. If you have a metal door whose appearance has been negatively impacted by dents, read on. This article will outline how to restore it to its full aesthetic potential.

Preparing The Dented Area

The basic idea here is that you will be using a patch compound to fill in the dented area, and then painting over it. But before you get down to the nitty gritty parts of this process, it is vital that you do a little prep work. Otherwise dust, dirt, and other surface contaminants will negatively impact the strength of the bonding compound.

Begin by washing the area around the dent with a solution of soap and water. Allow this to dry and then use sandpaper with a medium grit to abrade the paint inside and around the dent. Pay especial attention to any cracks or crevices on the inside of the dent; it is vital such areas receive a decent sanding as well.

The Patch Compound

A variety of different patch compounds can be used for filling a dent in a metal entry door--so long as the compound you choose is designed specifically to be used on metal, that is. You should find such a patch compound on the shelves of your local home improvement store. If not, head to a local auto parts store and pick up some two part body filler. This is essentially the same thing, just a bit more on the heavy-duty side. 

Applying The Patch

Applying patch compound to a dented door doesn't take much where tools are concerned. Virtually the only thing you will want to have on hand is a putty knife. This can be used to scoop up a blob of the compound and press it firmly into place. Then angle the edge of the knife and srcape it along the door to remove any excess patching compound. Add more as necessary to fill in any void spaces.

Getting The Patch Ready To Paint

Once you've sculpted your patching compound so that it fills the dent completely and is flush with the adjacent portions of the door, allow it several hours to dry. Then, using a fine grit sandpaper, gently roughen the surface of the patch. This will help improve the bond between your primer coat and the compound, thus ensuring a long-lasting, attractive patch!

For more information on the care of doors and entryways, visit companies like Window Planet.