Accidents are an unavoidable part of driving a vehicle. Even the most careful driver can have a bad day. However, minor damages can represent a financial burden if you have to take the car to a body shop every time. There are many ways to fix a dent on a car yourself at home, which will save a lot of money.
Dented Cars: How Did It Happen?
When they encounter dents on a car, most car owners immediately think of taking the car to a repair center. However, this condition can be completely corrected at home with small, shallow dents.
Car dents are likely to occur for many reasons such as collisions and falling foreign objects. For small, shallow dents, from 1 to 3 cm deep, with a not too large dented surface, drivers can fix them at home with simple solutions, but must be careful.
Whether it’s an objective or subjective factor, the car body will have a few slight dents which will lead to a loss of aesthetics.
You can completely fix it yourself at home with simple items or take it to a garage with professional methods. However, depending on each specific vehicle, body type, curvature, bumper or tire material… different treatments will need to be applied.
6 DIY Car Dent Repairs You Could Apply
With basic knowledge of solving and repairing minor car problems and a few tools, you can apply these five ways to fix a dent in a car:
1. Repair with a Plunger
This method will work for large, shallow dents on a flat surface such as the hood or door. Use a dent removal plunger for best results. Moisten its suction surface with a little water then press it onto the dent. Pull backward and repeat the process from different angles if the dent is large.
2. Use Dry Ice
This is an effective method if the dent is medium-sized. Dry ice (also known as smoke ice) is solid carbon dioxide used in food preservation and in medical pharmaceuticals. Few people know that this type of compound can effectively help repair car dents. First, the car owner should circle the dented area for more precise operation. After that, place a piece of dry ice with tongs on the area and do not keep it for more than a minute. Remove it and the dent is likely to pop out and be level with the surface. You may need to try several times. Remember to wear thick gloves and safety glasses, as touching them with bare skin would cause injuries similar to a burn.
3. Repair Dents from Behind
It is particularly useful for small depressions that would otherwise be difficult to repair with other methods. It is necessary to apply pressure to the back of the damaged area from inside the vehicle. Use your hands for larger dents, but those with a smaller diameter may need a hammer. Wrap a thick cloth around the head of a wooden mallet and tap the tapped spot with it.
4. Pull with Glue Dent Pullers
This is another way to easily remove dents. Choose a pull tab that matches or is larger than the size of the dent. Apply glue to the tab and quickly place it in the middle of the damaged area. Wait a moment for the glue to set. Now, attach a puller tool to the tab and turn the knob until the dent pops out. You will need to wax the vehicle after applying this system as the glue may create a small mess on the car body.
5. Repair Dents with a Hair Dryer
This will work if you want to fix a bulging spot. Use the hair dryer to apply heat to the raised area from five to seven inches away. Do this for two minutes and then check the flexibility of the metal. If it is malleable, take a can of compressed air and spray it on this area. Continue until the bulge returns to its original shape. Wipe the spot with a piece of soft cloth. Using safety glasses and gloves is necessary during this process to ensure your safety.
6. Repair Dents with Boiling Water
This method seems quite strange but is an effective way to repair car dents in the following positions: front bumper, rear bumper, and underbody, especially plastic parts… The car owner poured boiling water to expand the dent, then put their hand inside and gently pushed the dent so that it returns to its original shape. For dents in places that cannot be touched, after pouring boiling water, the driver immediately pours ice water to create a sudden temperature change to help restore the dent.
All the tools and ingredients needed for these easy dent removal processes will be available in your local retail stores. Any DIY dent repair requires caution and a bit of skill, as it will cost a lot of money if you damage the paint during the process.