How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
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How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint

When it comes to a car dent, there are two options - live with it, cringe every time it comes into view, or get rid of it. While the latter option is obviously the best option, most of us will probably just live with dents and dents as the free money is better spent on the actual functionality of the car. However, there is a way to dent car dents yourself with relatively little cash in the bank.

First, if you have excess batter, you should take your car to a professional bodyshop to have the dent repaired and repair any paint damage that has occurred. Leave it to the experts, as they say, if you do your research and make an informed decision on where to go. This option will make the dent look like it never happened.

But, as I said, most of us would rather spend the extra change on check engine lights and new tires, things that are necessary to keep our cars and trucks on the road rather than looking pretty on it. Therefore, for aesthetic car repairs, you need to take the work into your own hands. Removing a dent or dent yourself without professional tools can be a daunting task, but with a do-it-yourself spirit, free time, and a few small materials, it's entirely possible.

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Image by Tom George/YouTube

While small dents can be repaired with home remedies such as compressed air, a hair dryer, or dry ice, larger dents require a different approach. Dent removers are one option that is widely available at hardware or high street stores, varying in skill level and cost, from suction cups under $10 to complete OEM dent removal kits over $300.

However, there's something incredibly satisfying about doing something on your own, and a dent in your car is the perfect opportunity to roll up your sleeves and try to get creative. Using items you probably have in your garage or closet, you can tackle this annoying dent yourself, as Tom George demonstrates in the YouTube video below, where he takes a hot glue gun, wood dowel rods, and wood screws. to take out the dent. his 1999 Solara. I will be using the same technique to give the deformed part of my car a much needed look.

Step 1: Make the dowel handles

Hand saws are not that often used, but here. Tom started by cutting about five four-inch sections out of the dowel rod and then driving screws into each side to create grips like a handle.

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Images by Tom George/YouTube

For those who do not have screws on hand, bolts can be used. Simply drill a hole through the dowel section and insert the bolt.

As for dowel rods, you can easily find them at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe's or craft stores like Michaels. You can also, in keeping with all the DIY spirit, look around your home and give new life to something old, like that corn broom in the corner or that trendy wooden rod that holds up the kitchen curtains. They can also be repurposed for a project.

Step 2: Prepare the Dent

Clean the area around the recess and heat the surface with a hair dryer (do not bring it too close). This step will not only make the metal more pliable, but it will also give you more time to prep the dowels with the hot glue. Soap and water are not needed to clean the area. Just make sure it's free of dirt that could affect the adhesive's tack if not removed.

Step 3: Glue the Handles

Using a hot glue gun, apply a generous amount of glue to the flat end of the dowel opposite the handles.

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Image by Tom George/YouTube

Place the handles around the dent. There will be trial and error in where the dowels will be placed. Each subsequent placement will be based on how the dent changes with each pull.

Step 4: Pull out the dent

Once in place, let the dowels cool. Take your time with this detail, let them really attach it to the car. You want the handles to hold on to the metal.

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Image by Tom George/YouTube

After cooling, you can start stretching. Again, each pull will give you an idea of ​​where to place the dowel next and what technique works best for your particular dent or dent. For example, you might get better results by having someone pull out three or more handles at once, rather than removing them one at a time, covering a larger area.

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Image by Tom George/YouTube

Step 5: Repeat as needed

Keep repeating steps 2 to 4 until you see the results you want. As far as getting a good grip on the area, Tom found that a good method was to place dowel pieces on the heated surface and then turn the knob.

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Image by Tom George/YouTube

Step 6: Clean and Admire

And that's the point. Once you're satisfied with pulling out the dents yourself, all you have to do is clean the surface of the dried adhesive, which should scrape off fairly easily, leaving the car's paint in perfect condition (assuming the paint isn't damaged). to start of course)

How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
How to fix a huge dent in a car at home without ruining the paint
Images by Tom George/YouTube

And that's the highlight of this day project, that you really have nothing to lose. The items are either already in your home or not too expensive to acquire, and if this method works for your car, fantastic! If it doesn't, you won't really get worse - you'll just go back to where you started.

Cover photo: fastfun23/123RF

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