Can you fix car dents yourself?

By Ané Theron

Can you fix those nasty parking lot door-dents, and late-night-I-didn't-see-that-pole-behind-me dings, all on your own? Of course, all of us here at AutoTrader agree that professional help is best so you don't incur any further damage* when doing it the DIY-way. However, if money is tight, there are a few tricks that may just get those dents out of your precious ride.

Option 1 - The humble plunger

A sink plunger is a tool most of us have somewhere in the garage or broom cupboard. Here's what to do: Wet the offending dent with a little water, wet the plunger ever-so-slightly, and start pushing and pulling until it pops out.

Option 2 - Boiling water from your kettle

An easy and non-invasive way to remove a dent from your bumper would be to pour boiling water over it -  this will make the stiff plastic more pliable. Once you have done this, try to pop the dent back out from the back.  You have to work fast though, as the area cools quickly. This works the same way as the hairdryer trick (see option 2).

Option 3 - The wife's hairdryer and a can of compressed air

With a hairdryer and a can of compressed air, you can get the dent on your bumper sorted out quickly. Blow hot air onto the affected area (make sure it's the dryer's hottest setting). This will expand the plastic.  As soon as it’s sufficiently hot to the touch, spray the area with compressed air. As the plastic contracts, the the dent should easily pop out.

Option 4 - a home-made suction device

If none of the other options proved to be successful, you can make your very own dent puller by using your vacuum cleaner and a smallish plastic pot / waste paper basket / plastic bucket (depending on the size of the area). Make a hole in the pot and insert your vacuum cleaner hose. Tape it tightly with duct tape, place the pot over the dent, and hit ‘power’. If this isn't working, head over online as option 5 suggests.

Option 5 - Order a special dent-pulling tool online

If you'd rather not do fiddle with your car's dents without the correct tools for the job, the internet is your friend! This dent-repair popper we found on Ubuy.co.za may be of help. Then there's this Power Grip dent-remover that looks the business too, and it’s more affordable.

This Pops-a-dent DIY kit from Amazon is very affordable, and they also ship to SA. Just be wary of import tax!

6. Okay, that didn't work...now go to the pros

Admitting defeat? There's no shame in that. A visit to people (such as DentMagic) who make their living by getting dents out of people's cars will be the wisest thing to do. Where possible, DentMagic employs a paintless dent-remover technique that ‘massages’ out the dents. They also offer hail damage repairs, mag wheel repairs, and are accredited by most insurance companies. Visit www.dentmagic.co.za. for more information.

*AutoTrader carries no responsibility for any damages incurred during do-it-yourself dent-removal. All of these procedures are done entirely at your own risk. For complete peace of mind, expert help is always advised.