In the know: Hacks for minor car dents

Auto2000 repair

At one point or another, you’ll find yourself staring at a recessed area in your vehicle, scratching your head, or putting a palm over your face. Dents will happen, regardless if it's your fault or not.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • What are the common hacks for fixing minor car dents?

    When you want to work on a minor dent on your car, you can use the suction method, the hot water method, and the hot glue method.
  • What do you do when the dent is major?

    If the dent on your car is beyond these hacks, we strongly suggest to take it to a body shop or your casa.
  • The good thing is that you can fix it yourself — at least the minor ones. Today, we’re looking at how you can fix minor car dents.

    Auto2000 repair

    The suction hack

    As the name implies, this hack requires the use of a suction tool to try and pull the dent out. The idea is to have the suction tool get a good grip on the dented area allowing you to remedy the damage by simply tugging at the dent.

    Here’s how you go about it.

    First, inspect the dented area. Since you’ll be using a suction tool, it would also help if you clean the notched space. Use a clean cloth to remove dust, dirt, and oil, but do so gently to avoid further damage. Next, apply heat to the area either by using a hairdryer or by pouring hot water onto the affected panel to make the metal more pliable. Then, gently stick your suction tool on the area, and when you feel that the suction tool has a good grip on the surface, pull the dent out.

    The hot water hack

    For those who drive vehicles equipped with plastic bumpers, the hot water hack is the way to go. Heat can make plastic flexible and therefore allow car owners to push (or pull) minor dents out by using only hot water.

    Here’s how it’s done.

    The first thing to do is to check for possible areas where you can push the dent out of the bumper. Once you find a good spot, slowly pour how water onto the bumper and carefully push the dent out. You’d want to start easing in from the edges until you get to the middle.

    The hot glue hack

    This hack uses the same principle as the suction hack and should allow you to pull your way out of a dented panel.

    If you’re looking to pursue this path, you’re going to need glue sticks and some patience. Heat the glue stick and place it onto the dented area. When it’s dried out, simply pull the glue stick to haul the dent out.

    Photos from ZigWheels and Auto2000

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