Small dents in your car can significantly ruin the appearance of your vehicle. It can even decrease the value of your car if you decide to sell it. Dents can be caused by a variety of reasons including colliding with another car, foreign objects, a child running into the back of a car with their bike, etc. The quicker you jump into getting the dent fixed, the better the outcome is. If the dent is small enough, you may not even need to get it serviced. This article contains helpful tips on fixing those dents.
Do it Yourself Repair
If your dent is small enough, you may want to consider fixing it yourself instead of calling a specialist. There are quite a few different methods you can use that consist of everyday household items that can help repair a small dent. The first method would be to place a hair dryer 6 inches away from the dent for about 30 seconds. Then place aluminum foil over the dent while rubbing dry ice over it. The sudden change in temperature is said to help the dent pop out.
Additionally, you can boil hot water on the stove. This works well for bumpers and parts of the car where you can reach from behind it. Simply pour the hot water onto the dent, then push the dent out from the backside of it. If the dent pops out, simply pour ice cold water onto it to harden the plastic.
A plunger is also great for those dents that tend to be on the wider end of the spectrum. This is because a plunger can act as a suction cup to put the metal back into place. To start, pour water over the dented area then use the suction cup to slowly move the dent out. This should work after 5 or 6 tries, if not, a different method will need to be used.
Another method that may work is taking hot glue, wooden dowels, and screws. Take the 2 nails and place them on each side of the dowel. Then with your hot glue gun, glue the dowel on the dents of your car. Wait for them to dry and then slowly start pulling the dowels off the dents. This is a slow process that requires patience. You can also use rubbing alcohol and some heat to attempt to detach the dowel from the car.
If these methods don’t seem to work, then it may be a good idea to look into a dent removal kit. Usually this only works for small minor dents. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase and you can find them at most auto repair shops. It may be a good idea to purchase one and keep it on hand in case you or another family member may need one.
Professional Repair
If you decide to go with a professional repair shop, make sure to do research on what specialist you decide to go with. Read through the customer reviews on their website or talk to a friend or family member and see who they would recommend. It is always a good idea to have at least 3 different auto shops in mind. Be sure to compare the prices of each and go with the one that fits your budget the best. Most small dents will cost anywhere from $60 to $100. This range is on the cheaper side of things. The price will be more expensive if your car has multiple dents that need to be repaired.
Don’t Let Dents Reduce the Value of Your Car
Some people who have a small dent in their car, may not see any worth in fixing it. However, it is important to fix the dents in your car no matter how small they are. Dents can make the value of your car decrease should you decide to sell it one day. Dent repair helps to protect your investment so that you earn the most for your vehicle.
Many of these do-it-yourself methods are simple enough that you won’t have to worry about further damaging your vehicle. In most cases, you won’t even need to hire a specialist to fix it. The next time you find yourself stuck with a dent in the car, or even one of your loved ones, be sure to refer back to this article for tips on how to get rid of them.
Sources:
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-to-fix-a-small-dent-in-a-car
https://diy-auto-repair.wonderhowto.com/how-to/fix-car-dents-8-easy-ways-remove-dents-yourself-without-ruining-paint-0163056/
https://www.dentshopca.com/why-you-need-to-fix-your-car-dents-more-than-you-know/