3 DIY Techniques to Remove Small Dings & Dents on Your Car

Owning a car is a necessity for most people, but keeping it clean and in proper working condition can be difficult. From changing the oil and having it detailed to replacing brake pads, car maintenance can be time-consuming and costly. Unfortunately, certain issues may arise that affect the look and value of your car even though you perform basic services and repairs. Shopping cart dings in a parking lot, damage from hail, and even opening your car door onto a sign post all result in minor dents that can decrease your car's look.

Considering the exterior encompasses a good portion of your car's overall value, restoring your auto body back to a healthy, attractive state is imperative. With these DIY tricks, you can remove small dings and dents from your car.

Plunger

While shocking to hear, the plunger can offer a simple and effective solution to removing dents from your car's body. The rubber end of this common household tool is capable of gently removing small and medium sized dents without investing a large amount of money for repairs. Do not use a flange plunger, which is becoming a common tool for removing clogs from toilet drains. Opt for a traditional cup plunger, which is used on both toilets and sinks.

To use, splash water onto the plunger's rubber end and the dented area of your car. This will add lubrication, which will be necessary during the plunging process. Place the rubber end of the plunger onto the dent and push in and pull slightly, allowing the suction motion to grasp the body of your car. Push in and pull a few times until you remove the dent.

Boiling Water

Many manufacturers use plastic or a plastic/metal combination on areas of the car's exterior. These materials are more affordable for manufacturers, but they are also easier and more affordable for owners to repair.

If the dinged or dented part of your car's body is plastic or a mixture of plastic and metal, consider using boiling water and your hands to repair. Of course, this method takes a bit of practice and is only suitable if you are able to reach the inside of the car's body to pop the plastic back out into its normal position.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and pour directly onto the affected area of your car. The hot water will make the plastic/metal material flexible, allowing you to maneuver it back into place.

Before the body cools, reach your hand around to the interior side of the dent and force the plastic/metal back into its original position. Allow the material to cool before inspecting. If  you still notice the dent, repeat the process a second time.

Hair Dryer

The heat from a common household hair dryer can also be used to mold damaged plastic/metal back into place.

Turn the hair dryer onto its highest temperature setting and direct the air onto the dented area of the car's body. Hold it in place for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the plastic material is hot enough, you can move  your hands to the interior of the damaged area and pop the dent or ding out.

If you are unable to reach the interior of the dent, consider using a can of compressed air along with the hair dryer. Direct the hot air of the dryer onto the dent for a few minutes. Then, spray compressed air onto the same area. The hot air will cause the plastic to expand while the compressed cooler air will cause the plastic to contract, pulling the dent out of the car's body.

These simple tips can help repair minor dings and dents in your car, but you should trust auto body repair services for more involved repairs. 


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