How to Fix a Car Dent

You’ve parked your car, and gone in to do some shopping. You come out, bags in hand, and see a dent in your once-immaculate vehicle. What do you do? You could take it to your local auto-body shop, or if the dent is small enough, you may be able to pop it out yourself, and save a little time and money. Here are some ways to pop that dent right out.

Buy a door-ding kit. There are quite a few suppliers of these kits on the internet, or you can usually purchase one at an auto-parts store. On average, these kits are priced between $25 and $50, and they can be a convenient and quick option for smaller dents.

Another effective way to fix a small ding is with a hair dryer and a can of compressed air (like the type used to clean a computer keyboard). Apply high heat from the hair dryer to the dent for one or two minutes. Then, quickly spray the air duster onto the dent before the area has a chance to cool down. If the dent is minor enough, it might just pop itself out.

Dry ice can also be used to remove a small dent. It works because the heat of the surrounding air, working against the intense cold of the dry ice, forces the car’s body panel to constrict, pushing the dent out. Usually, the car’s finish is not harmed when using this method. However, if there is a crease in the dent, or if the dent is over a part of the frame, complete removal may not be possible. Caution must be exercised when using dry ice. It can cause serious burns, so wear insulated gloves when you handle it.

If you think the dent is too large for you to fix it yourself, don’t get in over your head, and leave it to a professional auto-body repair person. Taking it to a shop may save a lot of aggravation. But, if you have a little know-how, and want to save time and money, one of the above methods may work for you.

 Category: Automotive
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