how to repair small dents in car body

1. Get a small clean drain plunger. Use the simple style of plunger without the flange in the bottom.
2. Clean the body of the car so that it is free from grease and dirt.
3. Put a bit of soapy water on the rim of the plunger, not too much. This will help the plunger create suction against the clean car body.
4. Attach it to the car body over the dent. Create an adequate amount of suction.
5. Slowly pull the plunger until the dent is gone. How does a hairdryer remove hail dents? The heat lets the metal expand and may pop the dent out.

Full Answer

How to remove car dent without having to repaint?

Method 3: Use a Hair Dryer & Compressed Air

• How to Remove a Vehicle Dent with a Hair Dryer & Compressed Air
• How to Fix Your Car Dent with a Hair Dryer & Canned Air
• How to Fix a Car Dent with a Hair Dryer & Freezing Agent

How do you repair a dent on a car?

Remove the Paint

• Start by removing the paint inside and around the dent with 24-grit paper.
• Switch to 80-grit sandpaper and hand-sand the entire dent.
• Use the same sandpaper to rough up and feather the paint around the edges of the dent.
• Clean the entire area with wax remover and a clean rag.
• Then wipe with a tack cloth.

How to pull dents out of cars?

How to Pull Dents From Your Car

• Boiling Water Method. Boiling water is an exceptionally handy way to straighten out plastic panels. ...
• Plunger Method. The plunger method works for large dents. ...
• Hammer and Dolly. The first thing you might think to do is grab a hammer and smack the dent from the inside to pop it out.
• Hot Glue Technique. ...
• Leverage Method. ...

How to repair a dent in your car with filler?

Sand to Shape and Glaze

• Sand the filler to match the contours of the car body using 80- and 180-grit sandpaper.
• Then feather the edges of the filler right up to the painted edge.
• Next, apply finishing glaze to the entire patch and then sand with 180-grit and then 320-grit sandpaper.
• Spray the patch with primer, then paint it. ...

Can small dents in cars be fixed?

If a dent is small and there is no damage to the paint, some car owners may consider repairing it themselves. There are several do-it-yourself methods to fix dents using everyday household items. None of them are guaranteed to work, but they are all worth trying if saving money is a priority.

How do you get a small dent out of a car?

Here are five quick and easy ways to remove minor damage from your vehicle's exterior so that you can once again smile when you look at your car.Try the plunger method. ... Use hot water for dented bumpers. ... Hammer out the dent. ... Pop out the dent with a hair dryer and compressed air. ... Buy a dent removal kit.

Can you fix car dents yourself?

You Can Do It Yourself However, if you're willing to give it a try, in many cases you can fix your car's dents quite effectively yourself using some not very expensive dent-removal tools. But first, you must assess the damage to know what you're dealing with.

How much does it cost to fix a tiny dent in a car?

The dent repair cost may range from $50 to $2,500. Although that's a broad range, most small dents that are roughly an inch in size may cost around $50 to $125. Small indentations may come from a flying rock or piece of hail. Dents stemming from a collision are typically larger and cost $150 or more.

Does hot water get rid of dents?

Use boiling water Don't just limit your use of boiling water for cooking and sanitary purposes. It can also be used to potentially remove unwanted depressions in your vehicle, that is, as long as you have a plastic bumper and are successfully able to access the dent from the backside.

Do dent pullers work?

Do they work? Dent pullers only work on shallow dents that are positioned on a flat, flexible surface. They can improve the appearance of car dents but are unlikely to create a perfect finish. Unfortunately, DIY dent pullers will not work on deep, angular dents or damage along the edges of bodywork.

Does boiling water remove dents in metal?

After boiling some hot water in a pot, he pours it over the dented areas. The heat makes the metal more expandable and malleable, allowing it to be pushed and pulled easily. Since the shape the parts conform to is the car's original design, it becomes much more likely they will pop back into position.

Do Chips Away repair dents?

The majority of minor dents can be repaired by a ChipsAway mobile repair specialist. No matter where the car dent is, from the bumper to the side panel, ChipsAway specialists are available to repair your car, so it looks as good as new. Larger dents may need to be repaired at one of our nationwide Car Care Centres.

How do you fill a dent in a car?

1:2219:03How to repair a dent and body filler tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can put the dolly. Behind the panel. And hit it from the outside. And as the dolly bounces backMoreYou can put the dolly. Behind the panel. And hit it from the outside. And as the dolly bounces back is going to knock that dent out. And I've tried it and seriously. Work.

Are dents covered in car insurance?

In a nutshell, small dents/scratches on your car's surface does not require a car insurance claim. In fact, it is best to refrain from raising a claim in such a scenario, as you may otherwise lose a lot of money.

What causes small dents in cars?

There are six common causes for small dents in cars—accidents, parking lot mishaps, fallen branches, ice, and our ubiquitous Ottawa potholes.

How much does it cost to fix a small scratch on a car?

You can purchase colors from them for DIY for around $50 to $300 for two ounces. At a dealer, the cost to remove a car scratch can range from $150 to $1000—double the amount for repairs to the hood or doors.

How do you pop out a dent?

0:413:15How to Remove Car Dents Fast - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome water on your stove in a big pan. And pour it all over the dent area then put the suction cupMoreSome water on your stove in a big pan. And pour it all over the dent area then put the suction cup on it'll all batter. Plus the heat off and makes the metal. Get more flexible.

Does boiling water remove dents in metal?

After boiling some hot water in a pot, he pours it over the dented areas. The heat makes the metal more expandable and malleable, allowing it to be pushed and pulled easily. Since the shape the parts conform to is the car's original design, it becomes much more likely they will pop back into position.

How to remove a dent from a car bumper?

Blow away your troubles by using a hairdryer to remove the car dent. This will work wonders if you want to sort out a bulging spot on a plastic or metal surface such as a car bumper. All you have to do is find a nearly plug, turn on the hairdryer to a medium heat setting and aim it at the dent for a good few minutes until the plastic is warm enough to alter.

How to pop a dent in a plastic bumper?

Plastic is a synthetic and flexible material which when soft, can easily be molded into shape. This molding is what the boiling water achieves. The moment you’ve poured the water over the dent, reach quickly behind your bumper and try to pop the dent back in. The trick to this method is to work as quickly as possible – the heat produced by the boiling water won’t last forever!

What is a dent puller?

There are two types of dent pullers – suction and glue. A suction dent puller firstly requires the moistening of the suction surface by spraying a little water. Pullers should be attached to the center of the dent if it’s small in size and additionally, fastened to the edges of a larger dent.

How to test for malleability of metal?

To assess the malleability of the metal, after heating for a few minutes gently press on the underside or the outer edges of the dent. If said material feels soft, you’re ready to move on to the next step. Alternatively, heat the dent with your hair dryer for a minute longer and examine again.

Can you wax a dent in a car?

Now that the dent has disappeared, it’s not time to celebrate just yet! Carefully wax your vehicle after using this method; what you don’t want is the glue to damage the body of your car! If you fancy being even more cautious, clean the car’s surface with acetone and water before even starting the procedure. If your paint is already looking a little rough around the edges, then don’t try out this method or you could potentially be looking at an even more costly repair bill at the end of the day.

Can you press down on a glue dent puller?

Once the puller is correctly attached to the car, begin tugging in short and speedy pulses. With glue dent pullers, one other piece of advice is not to press down too hard when applying the puller, as doing so could cause the damaging of the bodywork’s paint itself.

Can you fix a dent with hot glue?

Rightly so, many DIYers are incredibly worried about ruining the perfect paintwork on their car. These guys are consequently the ones who opt for fixing a dent with hot glue – a reliable method which aims to protect your bodywork.

How to get a dent out of a bumper cover?

If you can’t access the dent from the inside, try using a hair dryer to warm up and expand the outer surface.

How much does it cost to remove a paintless dent?

But they're not cheap. According to Angie's List, the price range for a pro to extract a one-inch dent from your vehicle is in the $50-to-$120 range . (One of our staffers who used a dent-repair specialist on his personal vehicle says that's a realistic cost spread.) Larger dents can cost considerably more. And know that not all dents can be perfectly repaired, even by a specialist—and if the paint is scratched they can do nothing about that.

Can you fix dents on a car?

However, if you're willing to give it a try, in many cases you can fix your car's dents quite effectively yourself using some not very expensive dent-remo val tools.

How to get dents out of plastic bumper?

The rapid change from hot to cold should make the dent pop out within a minute or so. Another temperature trick involves boiling water. This approach is geared more for dents on plastic parts, such as bumpers. Pour boiling water over the dent and then push the dent out from the backside of it.

How long does it take to fix a dent?

Most will come to your home or work and fix a dent in 20 minutes or less. If there are multiple dents, it will, of course, take longer. When hiring a dent specialist, always check their online reviews.

How to fix a dented pipe?

Simply pour water over the dented area and use the plunger in a gentle push-pull motion. Continue this action until the dent pops out, but if it does not work within the first five or six pulls, move on to another method.

How to get a dent out of sheet metal?

The required items are a hairdryer, aluminum foil, and a small block of dry ice. First , heat the dent with the hairdryer approximately six inches away for about 30 seconds. Then cover the dent with a piece of aluminum foil and rub dry ice over it. The rapid change from hot to cold should make the dent pop out within a minute or so.

How much does it cost to fix a quarter sized dent?

Most quarter-size dents will cost between $60 and $110 to repair, but this fee may be higher if the dent requires touch-up paint. Each additional dent may cost between $40 and $75. So, if you have multiple dents, it makes good sense to get them all repaired at once and possibly negotiate a lower overall price.

How to get a dent out of a food container?

First, make a hole at the bottom of a food storage container. Place the container over the hole and let the vacuum cleaner suck out the air through the hole. The dent should pop out in less than a minute.

How long does it take for a dent to pop out?

The dent should pop out in less than a minute. If none of the household methods work, it is time to invest in a dent removal kit. These kits are successful at popping most minor dents. You can purchase one at an auto parts store, and it will cost far less than hiring a professional.

How to fix a dent in a car?

Get a small clean drain plunger. Use the simple style of plunger without the flange in the bottom. Clean the body of the car so that it is free from grease and dirt. Put a bit of soapy water on the rim of the plunger, not too much . This will help the plunger create suction against the clean car body. Attach it to the car body over the dent.

Why do you clean the body of a car?

Clean the body of the car so that it is free from grease and dirt.

How to clean a car plunger?

Put a bit of soapy water on the rim of the plunger, not too much . This will help the plunger create suction against the clean car body.

Can you heat a metal dent?

Community Answer. The heat lets the metal expand and may pop the dent out. You can also heat the area and then immediately hose the area with cold water or a cold wet rag. This can cause the metal to contract quickly and pop the dent (s) out. Thanks! Yes No.

Can a small dent be removed from a car?

A small dent can be very simple to remove from a car body.

Can a plunger pull out a dent?

Community Answer. A simple plunger will suction onto the dent and may be able to then be pulled out with a jerking motion. This won't get it perfect, but can get the majority of it with several plunger applications.

How to get rid of a dent in a paint job?

Start by removing the paint inside and around the dent with 24-grit paper. Switch to 80-grit sandpaper and hand-sand the entire dent. Use the same sandpaper to rough up and feather the paint around the edges of the dent. Clean the entire area with wax remover and a clean rag. Then wipe with a tack cloth.

How to make a body filler?

Mix the Filler. Spread the filler down the mixing board in an S-shaped curve. Then scoop it up and fold it over. Repeat until the filler has a consistent color. Don't mix body filler on a scrap piece of cardboard. Instead, use a mixing board or an old, clean cookie sheet you're willing to toss. Step 4.

How to fix a small dents in the car?

To repair minor dents in your car bodywork, try using a plunger or dry ice. A plunger works well for large, shallow dents in a door or the hood. Start by rubbing the edge of the plunger with a damp rag to moisten the suction surface. Then, position the plunger over the dent and press the plunger towards your car.

What is the best way to fix dents?

Dry ice works best on medium sized dents and may be less effective on large ones.

What is the best way to get dents out of steel?

Short, quick motions will yield the best results when sucking dents out of steel.

How to pop a dent back out?

Apply pressure to the back of the dent. For larger dents, you may be able to apply pressure to the inside with your hands to pop the dent back out [14]

What happens when you remove dry ice from metal?

After you remove the dry ice from the metal, the warmth from the ambient air will interact with the extreme cold created by the ice. This interaction will cause the metal to shift and pop out the dent. The intense cold will cause the metal to retract then expand again as it warms.

How to avoid damaging paint?

Make sure to use clean, plain water to avoid damaging the paint.

Can you repair dents on your own?

Dent repair can be extremely expensive, especially if you have to have the vehicle repainted after. If you have minor dents and dings in your vehicle, you may be able to remove them on your own using common hand tools or chemicals that can be purchased at many local retail stores. Remember, choosing to repair dents yourself may lead ...

How to smooth out a repair area?

To smooth the repaired area for painting, you'll use your 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper. Fill a spray bottle with clean water and spray the repair area and the sandpaper. Sand the primer using a straight back-and-forth motion. When you begin to see the old paint show through the primer, you've gone far enough.

How to sand a filler?

Once the filler has completely hardened, you're ready to start sanding. With your sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block (rubber sanding blocks are best and can be purchased in automotive or home repair stores), start sanding the filler using 150-grit sandpaper. Sand lightly and evenly over the entire surface of the repair with broad circular strokes. Sand past the edge of the filler to create a smooth transition.

How to get rid of spot putty on paint?

Using 400-grit sandpaper, lightly and evenly sand the spot putty away. Sand it all away flat, and you'll be left with only tiny amounts of putty remaining in small scratches and gaps. These may seem minute, but even the smallest flaw will show up in the paint.

How long does it take for body filler to harden?

It consists of a creme hardener and a base filler. Once you mix the two, the filler will harden in less than 5 minutes, so you'll need to work quickly and carefully. You can mix the hardener on any clean, smooth surface that is disposable.

How to protect tires from paint?

To prepare and protect your repair, you'll need to spray the surface with a primer/sealer. Mask off an area around the repair to avoid getting paint on any trim or other nonpainted areas (don't forget, you don't want paint on your tires, either). Apply the spray primer in light , even coats.

What is body filler?

You'll need body filler, sometimes called Bondo (the most popular brand), which is a durable plastic resin that can be shaped and sanded. You'll also need the following supplies:

Can you mix hardener with filler?

You can mix the hardener on any clean, smooth surface that is disposable. Follow the directions on the filler can to mix the proper amount of hardener with filler. Mix the two using a rigid plastic spreader. 03. of 08.