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How To Fix Car Dents: Options and Costs To Consider

Written by Michelle Bogle

Published Dec 19 | 10 minute read

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    How To Fix Car Dents: Options and Costs To Consider

    A shiny, polished exterior gives your car a sleek, stylish appearance. However, everyday driving can lead to unsightly dents and dings that dull your ride's shine, lower its resale value and increase the risk of rust. Sadly, it's not whether it will happen, but when. This makes dent repair an essential task for all car owners.

    Minor dents, bumper scrapes and door dings can often be quickly and affordably addressed with DIY solutions like body filler. But for more significant damage, you may need the expertise of a paintless dent repair specialist or a professional auto body shop to create a flawless finish, which will cost more.

    Are you looking to restore your ride? Here's everything you should know about fixing car dents, including your options and the average repair costs.

    How Cars Get Dented

    No matter how careful a driver you are, cars can get dented in various ways during everyday use. Here are some common culprits:

    • Small dents: Hailstorms, flying debris or a shopping cart blown across a parking lot on a windy day can leave minor dents on your car. Gravel and small rocks kicked up by other vehicles can also chip the paint, creating divots over time. Other parking lot mishaps, like careless door openings, are frequent offenders. Even sports equipment or children's toys can unintentionally cause minor dents on a vehicle.

    • Door dings: These occur when you accidentally open your door into another car, a barrier or a wall, or when someone else does it to your vehicle. Tight parking spaces often lead to door dings, especially when drivers and passengers aren't mindful of their surroundings.

    • Larger dents: More substantial dents typically result from more significant impacts, such as car accidents, falling branches wildlife-related accidents and low-speed collisions where a vehicle backs into a post or another car. Road debris, such as loose tires or construction materials, can cause significant damage.

    Understanding Different Types of Car Dents

    There are many different terms to describe damage to a vehicle's body, with dent and ding being the most popular. However, not all dents are the same—some create more significant damage that is challenging to repair and can impact the safety of your vehicle.

    It also depends on the size and shape of the dent and where it occurs on the car. Body panels are usually made from metal, such as steel or aluminum, and require different repair techniques than dents on the bumper, which are typically made from plastic.

    Here's a breakdown of common dent types and how to fix them:

    Type Description Size Repair Tips
    Ding A small area of damage Less than half an inch in diameter Simple DIY fix, especially if minor and shallow
    Round dent A circular indentation often caused by round objects, like hail or balls Three to five inches in diameter Can sometimes be popped back out with suction or heat techniques
    Sharp dent Typically deeper and more angular than round dents and often caused at high speeds Varies, but impact is sharp and deep Challenging to repair; may require specialized tools or professional help
    Crease dent Long fold, often with paint damage Varies in size and depth with the metal folded in on itself Professional repair is recommended due to the complexity and paintwork to fill and fix the panels
    Multipoint or extreme dent Very large or multiple dents, with possible structural damage Varies, as they don't conform to a shape or pattern Requires professional evaluation, as serious dents can impact vehicle safety

    Are Car Dents Worth Fixing?

    Once you notice a dent in your car, it's best to get it repaired as soon as possible. This isn't just about keeping your vehicle looking great—there are practical and safety reasons to repair your dent quickly, too:

    1. Prevents rust

    Minor dents allow moisture to reach the metal beneath your car's paint and clear coat. Once water gets trapped, rust can develop over time. Repairing dents promptly can prevent this from happening.

    2. Avoids paint damage

    Even minor dents can damage paint, as they are exposed to the elements, frequent washing and everyday wear. This can cause the paint to crack, flake or peel, requiring a full repaint or even a vehicle wrap.

    3. Protects your value

    Unrepaired dents can make your car look neglected, decreasing its resale value and buyer appeal. A damaged appearance might suggest poor maintenance, resulting in a lower trade-in value or sale price.

    4. Ensures safety

    Small dents may lead to more structural damage that can impact the safe operation of your vehicle. Modern cars are loaded with sensors, and when these areas are damaged, the vehicle's safety systems may not perform as intended.

    How To Fix Car Dents

    Depending on the size of the dent and the extent of the damage, there are several ways to restore the exterior of your vehicle—from easy and cost-effective DIY fixes to more extensive and expensive professional repairs:

    DIY small dent repair

    Clearing up minor dents, door dings or bumper damage can be a simple and affordable job that can be done at home. Here's how:

    Plastic car dents

    Dents in plastic are usually on the front or rear bumper. With some heat and elbow grease, these car dents—even larger ones—are generally easy and affordable to fix at home. Better yet, this can help you avoid the cost of a replacement bumper cover, which can cost you more than $1,000. Here are the steps to repair a plastic dent:

    1. Heat the dent with a hair dryer until it's warm to the touch.
    2. Spray cool compressed air ($20 or less) over the warm plastic if the dent is small. The dent should pop out on its own.
    3. Attach a dent puller ($20 or less) if the dent is larger, or if a small dent doesn't pop out with cool air. Pull firmly to suction the bumper outward.
    4. Smooth any new dents. Sometimes, a small dent will appear when you pull out a dent. Smooth those with your hands or the puller.

    Metal car dents

    You can purchase a dent repair kit with a bridge puller ($40 to $99) to repair metal dents. These kits come with many pieces, allowing you to pull the dented metal outward to repair the dent.

    Follow this process to fix metal dents:

    1. Heat the dent with a hair dryer until it's warm to the touch. For minor dents, skip this step and start at step 3.
    2. Suction the dent outward using a dent puller. The goal is to make the dent smaller, not eliminate it.
    3. Wipe the metal with a microfiber towel. If you're repairing a small metal dent, start at this step.
    4. Prepare to use the bridge puller. This tool involves gluing a bolt (known as a head) to the deepest point of the dent, pulling the dent out, and later removing it. The first step is to apply the glue in your repair kit to the deepest point of the dent.
    5. Attach the bridge puller head. Push it into the glue and allow it to cool for the time indicated in the directions. Usually, that's about 4 to 8 minutes.
    6. Use the bridge puller. When the glue is completely dry, attach the bridge puller and turn the dial to slowly move the metal. Stop when the dent is gone and the metal is in its original position.
    7. Detach the head and puller. Heat the glue with a hair dryer to remove the puller head. Wipe away any glue.
    8. Touch up the paint. If the paint is damaged, order a paint repair kit ($49 to $66) . Wipe the area clean, apply primer and then apply a tiny amount of paint, using more if necessary.

    Repairing car dents with body filler

    Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can't entirely remove a dent. That's where body filler comes in. Also known by the brand name Bondo® ($13+) , body filler is a putty used to fill a dent and smooth it over. Once it's painted, you'll never notice the filler—even body shop technicians use it sometimes. Here's how to use it:

    1. Clean the dented area with soap and water, then dry it with a microfiber cloth.
    2. Sand the paint off using a sander with 80-grit sandpaper to remove paint from the dent for 2 to 5 inches around it.
    3. Minimize the dent using the dent removal techniques above.
    4. Apply body filler by pressing firmly into the dent and applying enough putty to make the dented area flush with the rest of the vehicle's body. Allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
    5. Sand the filler using 80-grit sandpaper to smooth the area's shape. If there are any low areas, repeat steps 4 and 5 until the finish is in line with the rest of the body panel.
    6. Smooth the shape. Once you're satisfied with the shape, smooth the putty with 180-grit sandpaper.
    7. Apply glaze. Cover all the putty and surrounding area with glaze and spot putty($10+). This product smooths and repairs pinholes, scratches, nicks, minor dents, stone chips and other surface imperfections in automotive paint and bodies.
    8. Sand again. After the glaze has dried, sand with 180-grit sandpaper and then 320-grit sandpaper to remove any visible scratches or lines.
    9. Prime and paint. Using a paint repair kit ($49 to $66), prime and paint the vehicle.

    Paintless dent repair (PDR)

    Paintless dent repair, often called PDR or paintless dent removal, is an affordable and convenient way to repair dents professionally. PDR technicians come to you with specialty tools to repair dents, usually repairing minor damage and dents in 2 to 4 hours. This technique is used for dents that don't involve paint damage.

    The cost of PDR depends on several factors, including the dent's size, depth and where it is on the vehicle:

    • For smaller dents, such as minor door dings or shallow creases, the average price typically falls between $100 and $150.
    • For larger dents, like those from hailstorms or more severe impacts, you can expect to pay between $150 and $500.

    Generally speaking, many PDR specialists charge by the hour, ranging from $75 to $125 per hour.

    Auto body shop dent repair

    If your dent is large or involves paint damage, you'll need to contact an auto body shop that can repair the dent and repaint the area. You should also contact an auto body shop if a dent is deep and you're concerned that your vehicle's body or underlying components might be damaged.

    Repairing a dent at an auto shop can cost between $300 and $1,500, depending on the extent of the damage. The process can also take much longer than other professional options like PDR—from a few days to a week because of the filling, sanding, priming, painting and clear coat process.

    How Much Does It Cost To Repair Car Dents?

    Repair Type Cost Range Time Required
    DIY small plastic dent repair $20 to $40 A few hours
    DIY small metal dent repair $40 to $99 A few hours
    DIY body filler repair $13 to $89 Several hours
    Paintless dent repair (PDR) $100 to $500 Several hours to a couple of days
    Auto body shop dent repair $300 to $1,500 Several days to a week

    Synchrony Car Care Financing for Dent Repair

    Dent repair can be expensive, but you shouldn't put it off. It's almost always more cost-effective to fix a dent soon after it happens.

    The Synchrony Car Care credit card can help you pay for car repairs promptly, keeping you on the road and where you need to be. Learn more and apply now.

    READ MORE: Basic Car Maintenance to Keep Your Car Humming

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    Michelle Bogle

    Michelle Bogle started her career in the car industry nearly two decades ago as a writer for an American multinational automobile manufacturer. Since then, she has expanded her expertise as an automotive journalist, covering vehicle reviews, news and buying advice to help consumers feel informed and excited about the car-buying process.

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