Car Dent Repair: How To Fix Car Dents for Cheap

Dec 09, 2023

Your ride shouldn't resemble the moon's surface.

jonathon_klein

jonathon_klein

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Despite the Mythbusters determining that, yes, golf ball-like dimples increase your fuel economy, your car's dents don't have the same effect. In fact, your dents may be decreasing your drag coefficient and killing your fuel economy. Know what that means? It's the perfect time to fix your car's dents.

Like reading spoilers on Twitter or scuffing up a new pair of shoes, dents are inevitable. Whether caused by an accident, an errant shopping cart, a sliced golf ball, or a fallen tree limb, dents can occur anywhere and quickly make your pristine ride look like yesterday's garbage. Pulling them out, or repairing them, is something that almost anyone can do at home, so long as your car doesn't resemble a "V" with your engine and trunk almost kissing each other.

So for all you readers out there with dent, bent, and dinged cars yearning to be fixed, follow along as The Drive's crack team of editors details exactly how to fix your car's dents without incinerating bags of cash.

Estimated Time Needed: 1-3 hours

Skill Level : Beginner-Intermediate

Vehicle System : Exterior

We’ve all been there. You head into the grocery store, grab your peanut butter pretzels, head back to your car, and, oof, there's a nice dent in your bumper and maybe a broken light housing. Some mouth-breather was too lazy to walk 13 feet, so his free-roaming cart gathered speed with the ferocity of a mating bighorn sheep and rammed your ride But car dents can happen elsewhere, too. Here are just a few of the possible reasons behind why your car now looks like the surface of a golf ball.

Working on your car can be dangerous and messy, so here's exactly what you’ll need to ensure you don't die, get maimed, or lose a finger and that you keep your jeans, shirt, and skin spotless—hopefully.

We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here's exactly what you’ll need to get the job done.

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. No, do not substitute the heat gun for a blow torch. And please don't have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)

You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren't getting your ride out of the clink.

There are four types of dents you should know about, including small and large dents in plastic, and small and large dents in metal. Before you start trying to fix them, determine what the dent is in and then proceed. Let's do this!

You’re done!

Congrats!

You’re done and your car looks great!

After you’ve fixed the dent, you may need to touch up your car's paint. Here's how to do that.

The Drive recognizes that while our How-To guides are detailed and easily followed, a rusty bolt, an engine component not in the correct position, or oil leaking everywhere can derail a project. That's why we’ve partnered with JustAnswer, which connects you to certified mechanics around the globe, to get you through even the toughest jobs.

So if you have a question or are stuck, click here and talk to a mechanic near you.

We asked Guides & Gear's very own Tony Markovich to provide his unique experience wrenching on his Opel to give us his best advice on how to remove a dent on any and all 1970 Opel GTs. Take it away, Tony.

Thank you, Tony!

Over the years, The Drive's editors have made friends with professionals across the industry. That's why we asked our pal Bozi Tatarevic, who's owned automotive repair shops and a salvage vehicle rebuilding business, to give us pro tips for dent removal.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!

A: Your average cost of fixing a small to medium dent will be between $30-$100. Larger dents, multi-faceted dents, and more extensive dents across a car's exterior will increase the price.

A: Well, you might want to consider it whenever you get a dent, especially if the dent is in metal, which can rust away.

A: Yes! Fixing a dent can save you thousands of dollars later on if they’re in metal. Fixing dents also helps keep your drag coefficient down, which saves you money in fuel costs.

A: Yes and no. If you’ve dented the exterior paneling, yes, the dent can be fixed. If you’ve dented the car's frame or part of the car's crash structure, it's not advisable, as the car's structural integrity is now compromised.

A: It can! If you have a small concave dent in your plastic body panels, hot water can shock the plastic and pop the dent out like magic! Sometimes, though, you may need to help it along with either a dent puller or other form of suction mount.

ARISD Auto Body Paintless Dent Removal Tools Kit

Manelord Auto Body Repair Tool Kit

YOOHE Paintless Dent Repair Puller Kit

Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: [email protected]