10 DIY Tips To Remove Dent From A Car

Every car owner will tell you that there is nothing more frustrating than discovering dents on your beloved automobile. Not only does it ruin the aesthetic appeal of your car, but also impacts its resale value. No matter how much you pretend to ignore it, once there is a dent, the joy of driving the vehicle is not the same.  This guide will tell you how to remove dent from car without breaking your budget. 

Maintenance of any vehicle is not easy; you need to keep it in good shape, both from the inside and outside. But we all know that even with extra care and pampering, the four-wheelers are extremely prone to dents and scratches. Professional dent removal is not only expensive, but it may also require you to submit your car to the garage for a while. But don’t worry, we have some quick DIY solutions to remove car scratches and dents. 

How to Remove Dent From Car: 10 DIY Methods

Before you attempt to remove a dent from your car, consider the following:

• First of all, identify the type of dent and pick the method that might work the best for it. There are different types of dents, requiring specific treatments. For example, shallow dents on plastic bodies are easier to fix than deep ones on metal surfaces. 
• Ensure the safety before you begin. Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from metal tools and chemicals. 
• Wash and dry the affected area first. Also, work under proper lighting, as it will help you see the dent clearly. 
• Always start with the easier method and work your way up to the more complex ones. Skip the method if you are not sure about it. 
• Don’t apply too much force on the dented area, as it can make the material weaker. 
• Consider professional help if you are not sure about your skills. 

1. Use Boiling Water

If you are dealing with a minor dent on a plastic surface, the boiling water method can fix the dent easily. The heat will make the plastic material softer and allow the dent to pop out by itself.

• Boil some water.
• Take it off the heat and let it rest for around 10-15 seconds. 
• Pour the hot water directly onto the affected area. 
• Allow 5-10 seconds for the plastic to get flexible. 
• Apply gentle pressure from your hand or a metal tool to push the dent out.

Note – This method is effective only for shallow dents on plastic bodies. 

2. Vacuum 

The next DIY method to remove dent from car requires the use of a simple vacuum cleaner and a bucket. This solution is the best for shallow dents on a flat plastic or metal surface.

• Put the vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment right on top of the dented area on your car. 
• Next, place a bucket on the hose and dent. Make sure there is a tight seal between the bucket and the car’s surface. 
• Turn on the vacuum cleaner and let it create suction inside the bucket. After 20-30 seconds, the dent should pop up to its original shape. 

3. Toilet Plunger

A simple household suction plunger can also help out with minor dents on thin plastic surfaces. To remove the dent from your car, simply position the plunger directly on the area and apply gentle pressure to pull it out.

4. Hair Dryer or Heat Gun

The combination of hot and compressed air can also remove small dents from a plastic surface on the car.

• Use a hairdryer or a heat gun to apply low heat on the affected area. 
• Be very careful with the heat gun, as too much heat may result in the loss of the original shape and characteristics of the material. 
• Quickly apply the compressed air to cool down the surface. 
• Repeat the process 2-3 times until the dent pops out. 

Note – Don’t overuse this method as it might damage the surface permanently. 

5. Dent Puller Kit 

A variety of car Dent repair kits are available on Amazon, eBay, and auto parts stores, which can help you tackle all kinds of dents on both plastic and metal surfaces. 

These kits typically come with some attachments, tools, and hammers, and require a little practice to operate. Before you begin, it’s important to go through the user manual thoroughly to avoid any mishaps. You can also watch some DIY YouTube videos featuring dent removal kits for better guidance. 

You can find affordable dent removal kits here. 

6. Use the Toolbox

If you have a little experience with professional tools, grab the toolbox and try to remove the dent from your car by yourself. Please remember that this approach includes accessing the backside of the dented surface using appropriate tools such as hammers, rods, and metal clips. Once exposed from behind, carefully examine the affected area and delicately use a hammer to apply pressure to push the dent out. 

Note – This method requires expertise and should only be performed if you possess the necessary skills. Also, be very gentle with the hammer, as too much force may cause permanent damage to the material. 

7. Scratch Removal Substance

If there are some scratches on your car along with dents, you can use a range of scratch removal kits, to buff those out after fixing the dents. There is a range of scratch removal substances available online and at auto parts stores, each designed to tackle different types of scratches, such as light marks, swirls, minor clear coat scratches, haze marks, and deep scratches. 

• Simply look for what works with the surface material and type of scratch you are dealing with. Some of the options are scratch removal compounds, polishing compounds, touch-up paint, and clear coat scratch repair kits.
• Apply the substance in a circular motion using a microfiber cloth, and wait for it to dry out. 
• Repeat the process 3-5 times until you see the scratches fading away. 
• For proper application and better results, follow the instruction manual included with the kit. 

8. Pops-A-Dent Kit

Pops-a-dent is a DIY commercial tool, specially engineered to remove minor dents from any type of car surface without needing professional assistance. These affordable toolkits usually cost under $30 and come with dent removal stems, a dent removal bridge, pulling tabs, glue guns, special glue sticks, a hammer, and other essential tools to fix the dents without causing any damage to the material. 

All you have to do is attach the pulling tabs to the affected area, apply the glue, and use the dent pullers to pull back the dent. Before you operate the tools, it’s advisable to carefully read the instruction guide provided with the kit.

9. Dry Ice

The dry ice method is similar to the heat gun and compressed air method discussed above, only in reverse, where you frequently alter the surface temperature, allowing the material to revert to its original state. The extreme cold from dry ice rapidly contracts the metal, which can help with pulling the dent out. 

• Carefully hold a piece of dry ice and apply it on the dented area. Please wear gloves and eyewear while handling the dry ice to protect yourself. Also, use this method in well-ventilated areas only. 
• Immediately use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up the surface area. 
• Repeat the process until the dent pops out. 

Note – The use of dry ice can damage the original paint of the surface, if not applied properly. 

10. Paintless Dent Repair (Professional)

If none of the above-mentioned DIY methods helped you successfully remove the dent from your car, it’s time to contact a professional for paintless dent repair (PDR). Some distinct types of dents, particularly deep and sharp ones on the curved panel or body line, are hard to remove using DIY methods. In this case, the only option is to call a PDR expert. 

PDR is a specialized technique used by professionals to handle the severe dents on tricky areas of a vehicle without damaging the original paint. They access the dented area from various perspectives and retract the dent from the backside with the help of chemicals and other special tools. The entire process usually takes one day, however, it might cost you more than conventional DIY methods. So use it only as your last resort option. 

FAQ

1. How to buff out a minor scratch in a car the easiest way?

The basic scratch-removal compound is the easiest way to remove minor scratches from a car. Just apply the substance using a microfibre cloth and use a circular motion to buff out the marks. 

2. What is the best paintless dent removal technique?

The professionals choose the most appropriate paintless dent removal technique, depending on the surface material, the affected area, and the severity of the dent. 

3. How much does a car dent removal kit cost?

On average, a dent puller kit costs somewhere between $20 to $60 on Amazon. 

4. Can I remove dents from the car by myself?

Yes, you can remove minor dents from a car using simple DIY methods, such as pouring hot water and using household tools like a hair dryer, a toilet plunger, a vacuum cleaner, and dry ice. 

Closing Remarks

That’s a wrap-up. I am confident that now you have a clear understanding of how to remove dent from car on your own. The DIY methods outlined in this guide require basic skills and common household items. The key is to assess the extent and type of damage and pick the method that works best for you. However, given the cost-effectiveness, you cannot go wrong with any of them. If you want to learn how to fix a car dent at home, refer to YouTube DIY tutorials.