Plastic Pieces Can Be Popped Out
If your dent is in a plastic surface like a front or rear bumper cover and you can get to its inside surface, you can pour boiling water over the area to soften it up, then push the dent out from the inside. If you cant access the dent from the inside, try using a hair dryer to warm up and expand the outer surface. You’ll need access to compressed air to make this method work. Once the dented area is warm, try spraying it with the compressed air to cool it quickly and contract the material, The dent just may pop out.
If you search the internet, you’ll come across numerous other ways to fix dents, but we’re dubious about them. And not all dent-removal tools work equally well, either. Do your research thoroughly before you buy as with any purchase, you get what you pay for.
Common Car Dent Problems
Weve all been there. You head into the grocery store, grab your peanut butter pretzels, head back to your car, and, oof, theres a nice dent in your bumper and maybe a broken light housing. Some mouth-breather was too lazy to walk 13 feet, so his free-roaming cart gathered speed with the ferocity of a mating bighorn sheep and rammed your ride But car dents can happen elsewhere, too. Here are just a few of the possible reasons behind why your car now looks like the surface of a golf ball.
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch.
Youll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure youre not violating any codes when using the street because we arent getting your ride out of the clink.
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Remove A Dent Using Hot Water
Its always worth trying this first as its an easy solution when it works.
Fill your kettle and switch it on, but stop it before it boils. You can also get a bucket and fill it with hot water from the tap. Take it to the car and pour it over the dent.
If its a simple dent, the metal might flex and pop back into shape.
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Fix A Car Dent Using A Plunger
Grab a plunger thats smaller than the dent. For small dents you can always try the suction cup from an in-car mobile phone cradle.
Put a little water on both the plunger or suction cup and the car to create a seal. Push it all the way down to get the air out and pull hard.
With a bit of luck, the dent should simply pop out!
Vacuum Cleaner Bucket And Tape
Your vacuum cleaner can do more than just pick up crumbs and dog hair. It can also transform into a magical dent-removal tool when paired with a bucket and some tape.
To do this, youll need to cut a hole in the bottom of the bucket. The hole needs to be smaller than your vacuum cleaner nozzle, so make sure you measure before cutting. After youve created the hole, tape the vacuum cleaner nozzle over the hole. Now put the bucket/vacuum cleaner over the dent and turn on the vacuum cleaner. The suction should pull the dent out.
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Phase : Using The Hammer
Youll always want to begin by hammering from the center-most or deepest point of the dent. Its important to do so with caution, as todays sheet metal is thinner than it used to be. The last thing a collision repair technician will want to do is stretch things out further with a heavy blow using the hammer.
Use the least amount of force required to achieve results that bring the metal closer to its original shape. Oftentimes, this will mean using short, gentle taps to bring things back in line.
Can I Diy Repair Small Dents On My Car
Small dents are deceiving you may have seen tips online that explain how to get small dents out by yourself at home . Unfortunately, to effectively remove dents from your car while still maintaining the value of the vehicle, you need a professional to do the job. Paintless dent repair is an expert-level process that professionals like 618 Dent Guy have undergone years of training to perfect.
Using specialized tools designed specifically to visualize and address dent removal, our experts will apply pressure and manipulate the dent until it has reverted completely back to its original shape. In order to truly return your vehicle back to its original factory finish and maintain its valuation, you should only trust local paintless dent repair company experts like 618 Dent Guy to get the job done correctly and affordably.
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Which Way Worked Best For You
If you’re willing to try anything and don’t have a ton of tools at home, grab a dent removal kit, which contains tools specially created to remove car dents using many of the methods detailed above.
Did you give any of these methods a try, or did you end up biting the bullet and hiring an auto body shop to do the work for you? If you used a different DIY method for removing dents and dings from your vehicle, make sure to let us know below!
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Fixing A Dented Bumper With Hot Water
This procedure works for dents on plastic bumpers as well as plastic parts of your car. Pour boiling water over the dented area of your bumper. Remove the dent by getting behind the bumper. If the dent cannot be accessed, you may need to remove the bumper. Finally, pour a pot of cold water over the bumper to chill and repair the plastic.
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Repairing Dents On Cars With Boiling Water
We have come up with some novel methods for repairing dents on cars. For example, the boiling water method works well if you have a dent in the bumper. Note: this method only works for a plastic bumper.
Boiling Water Technique
- Removing the bumper
- Pouring boiling water over the dent
- Immediately pushing the dent out from the inside of the bumper
We recommend that you wax the area after this method.
How To Repair A Dent With Body Filler
body fillerThink of it as a spackle for your car
- Pick the right type of filler. Body filler comes in three typesâstandard, medium, and premiumâdepending on the severity of the damage. For the lightest dents, use standard filler if youâre dealing with a large or deep dent, it may be worth springing for the premium stuff.
- Prepare the surface by cleaning and drying the area and using one of the methods above to smooth out the dent as much as possible. Sand down the paint around the area to give the filler something to stick to.
- Mix your filler and coat the damaged area completely. Make sure you extend the putty a little around the surrounding area, so youâll have a smooth finish once itâs sanded down. Let it dry before sanding.
- Sand the putty down, starting with a rough grit. You may need to apply a second coat of filler. Use a finer grit around the edges of the filler for a smooth transition.
- Apply primer and topcoat to the repaired area. Be sure to match the type and color of paint to the rest of your carâs body.
Key Takeaway: Depending on the severity of the dent, body filler might be the best way to fix a sharp dent in a car.
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How Car Hoods Get Dented
Whether an elephant sat on your car, or you got a nasty ding from a rock orhail, dents happen. With a large surface area, car hoods are more vulnerable to damage than many other parts of your vehicle.
There are several ways a car hood can get dented or damaged: items fall inside your garage, a tree branch hits your hood, or a friend sits on your hood. Dents can even be caused by cats or other animals walking across your hood.
Use A Specialty Tool Kit To Get The Dent Out Of The Bumper
Suppose you are not getting success with any of the vehicle maintenance tips mentioned above.
In that case, you may want to purchase a specialty tool kit that is exclusively designed to remove dents from the vehicles.
The dent puller tool releases indentations utilizing a certain level of force to pull them out.
However, do some research before buying tool kits, as they are not all made to help you obtain the outcomes you are looking for!
While small scratches dont trigger car fanatics, dents do. They are certainly unappealing and exhibit that your vehicle has gone through trauma.
Fortunately, there are various methods for car dent repair in the United States, including using boiling water or a mallet.
If nothing works, you can hire a professional dent removal service. You can follow CarDecent for maintenance routines and car tips for owners.
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Pull A Dent Out Of A Car With Engineering
You can pull a dent out of a car with the following supplies and careful engineering techniques
- Use hot glue and attach a couple dowels to the dent .
- Wait for the glue to dry .
- Then, all you need to do is find a good grip on the dowels and pull until the dent pops out.
This method helps car owners avoid damaging the cars paint but does require some specialized cleaners to get the glue off after the procedure.
How To Repair A Dent With A Hair Dryer
Hair dryers may be better suited to salons than garages, but with the right technique you might be able to save cash on bodywork repairs.
Once youve assessed the damage and decided youre confident about repairing the dent yourself, youll need a few things:
- a clean soft cloth
- a can of compressed air
- insulated gloves
Step one Ensure you can access both sides of the dent. This could mean opening the bonnet or reaching underneath the car.
Step two Its time to plug in the hair dryer. Hold it between five and seven inches away from the affected area on a medium heat setting. After two minutes the panel should be malleable enough to move on to the next step.
Step three – Pull your gloves on and gently press the edges of the dent to test for movement. If the panel feels stiff return to step two and use the hair dryer for another minute or so.
Step four While still wearing your gloves, take the can of compressed air and give it a good shake. Turn it upside down and spray at the dent. It should take no more than a minute for the dent to pop back into shape.
Step five Take your cloth and wipe any liquid residue away. Job done.
Top tip: If this method doesnt work as planned, you can repeat the steps for better results. Try leaving a day between exposing your car to extreme temperature changes.
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Can I Repair A Dent Myself
Yes, but youll need to make sure that the damage isnt too extensive first.
Measure the dent and check that its no bigger than three inches in diameter and that its shallow, too. If the mark appears on a curve or a contour in the bodywork, a DIY approach probably isnt the best idea. Youll also need to be confident about working on your car and accessing the back of panels.
Now its time to choose your method. Our step-by-step guides below highlight some of the best ways to get the job done.
If you find the idea of a DIY fix too complicated, a body shop or RAC approved garage will be able to help.
Remember, damage to the paintwork will have to be repaired separately.
Compressed Air And Hair
Wellhairdryers that is
This method may sound like something youd see at a 3rd-grade science fair, but it works like a charm. Put your hairdryer on maximum heat and blow that hot air directly onto your medium-sized dent.
The hot air will cause the plastic to expand.
Once youve done this for a few minutes, grab your can of compressed air and point it , at the dent and spray. As the cold air from the compressed air can is blown on the expanded plastic, the dent will pop out.
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Use A Mallet For Removing Dents
It may sound clique, but utilizing a mallet to hammer the dent on your automobile outwards can work wonderfully.
This works efficiently for medium to large-sized indentations. If you want to remove small dent from the car, a sledgehammer can work well.
Remember, hammering the indentation only works if you can easily access the dent from behind.
First, put a cloth over the indentation before hitting it from the inside to inhibit the inside of your framework from impairment.
Similarly, dont hit it too rapidly or too hard. Tap cautiously from the dents middle until it ultimately pops back out.
Are There Common Dent Locations
Although dents can occur anywhere on your bodywork, some areas are more prone to prangs than others.
If you want to check your car for any irregularities, pay close attention to:
- doors Its easy to swing doors open into closely parked cars or other obstructions when youre not paying attention. Make sure you check all the way to the bottom of the door where high kerbs might have left a mark.
- bumpers Designed to minimise the impact of collisions, bumpers are one of the first places affected by motoring mishaps. Take a look at the front and back of your car for any dents that might need work.
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Professional Repair For Dented Car Hoods
The cost of a professional repair for dented car hoods can range quite a bit. It’s typically between $150 to $500, depending on the extent of the damage, particularly its size. It will also depend on whether you can repair the dent or if youll need to replace it with anew painted car hood.
Small-to-medium-sized dents may be fixed using paintless dent removal , which is typically inexpensive. However, a dent that has bent the paint beyond repair or caused paint chipping requires apainttouch-up job. Serious dents may be beyond repair, in which case the shop will replace your hood with a new one.
If the cost is high enough, you may want to claim the damage on your auto insurance. If the repair cost is at or near your deductible, it’s probably best to avoid making a claim.
Should I Call A Garage To Remove A Scratch Or Dent In My Car
If car dents and scratches are minor you might be happy to live with them. But, if theyre more serious and impair your driving or you simply want your car to look its best a garage can always do a professional repair. Compare garages to find a suitable professional – you might need a garage that specialises in bodywork.
Prices vary a lot, so always get a handful of quotes before you book it in.
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Phase : Assess The Dent Damage And Choose Tools
Every dent and collision is different, which makes every dent repair unique. This posts tips will focus mainly on large dent removal, typically at least a few inches long by a few inches wide. Smaller dents may be popped out or filled in using less intensive methods.
To choose the tools you need for the job, its important to measure the dents length and depth. Body hammers and dollies are two types of tools you may use for dent removal. These tools will come in a range of sizes, shapes, and weights, so its essential to match the hammer and dolly used to the dents depth and curvature.
Select the most modest-sized hammer that can do the job and the dolly whose shape most resembles the dented areas shape.
The Hairdryer And Compressed Air Technique
The idea here is that blending the hot and cold causes the dent to pop out by itself. To make this happen, use the hairdryer to heat the dent and surrounding areamake it as hot as possible. Next, spray compressed air directly onto the affected area. The sudden application of the cold air should cause the heated surface to react and make the dent pop out. This approach works better on a dented plastic bumper, but it cant hurt to try it on metal.
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Car Dent Repair By Professionals
Dealerships and franchise body shops will repair minor dents, but their charges are typically far more than those of smaller companies that can deliver the same level of quality. And, because many dent specialists are now mobile, getting repair work done can be quick and easy.
Most will come to your house or place of business and repair a dent in 20 minutes or less. It will, of course, take longer if there are several dents. Always read internet reviews before selecting a dent specialist. Reading reviews from prior clients is the greatest approach to determine whether they do good service. Then, phone at least three other dealers to compare prices.
Most quarter-size dents will cost between $60 and $110 to repair, however, this amount may be greater if touch-up paint is required. Each additional dent might cost anywhere between $40 and $75. So, if you have several dents, it makes sense to have them all repaired at the same time and maybe negotiate a cheaper total price. Larger dents of six inches or more in diameter might cost between $200 and $350 to fix, depending on the location of the dent and the make and model of the car. Large dents, however, may be beyond the reach of a mobile dent specialist if the paint is destroyed. A car body shop may be required in this instance.
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