What to Do When the Car Body is Dented?
3 Answers
There are several methods to repair a dented car body: Use hot water. Hot water can help restore a dented car body. The principle is simple: plastic softens when heated, so applying heat to the dented area can pop it back out. Once the dent is restored, immediately cool the area with prepared cold water to allow the rubber to contract and recover. Use dent repair tools. Sometimes, the force from hot water expansion alone is insufficient to push out the dent, and external force is needed. Dent repair tools can meet this requirement. Push by hand. Car owners can also try removing a screw from the car body, reaching inside the dented area, and pushing from behind to restore it. However, if there are scratches along with the dent, it is necessary to visit a repair shop for repainting.
I usually enjoy fixing my car myself, so don't panic too much if the car body gets dented. If the dent is as small as a coin and the metal isn't cracked, you can handle it with DIY: prepare a strong suction cup tool bought online for just a few dozen yuan. First, use a heat gun to warm the area around the dent for a few minutes to soften the paint and metal, then attach the suction cup to the center and pull outward steadily—don't be too forceful, apply even pressure to avoid further damage. After success, check the paint for scratches and touch up with a paint pen, then apply some car wax for protection. However, if the dent is on the edge of a door or a load-bearing part like the roof, it's harder to fix—DIY might not work, and you'll need a professional. I recommend leaving enough space when parking to prevent scratches and save time and effort. Keeping tools handy for emergencies is very convenient.
Upon discovering a dent in the car body, my immediate thought was to visit a repair shop: It's best to go to an authorized facility like a 4S store or a reputable chain brand as soon as possible. Technicians will use professional equipment to assess the depth and extent of the damage: For small, shallow dents without paint damage, they can use a paintless dent repair technique to push it out from the inside, costing around 200-300 RMB; deeper dents or those with paint damage require sanding and repainting, starting from 1,000 RMB. Before repair, take photos from multiple angles to document the size for accurate estimates and avoid poor results from cheap shops. If the damage is from an accident involving insurance, contact the company to file a claim—don’t repair it privately as it may affect the settlement. First, check if the damage is covered under your comprehensive insurance. The cost may not be high, but timely action is crucial. After repair, inspect the paint color match to ensure overall aesthetics and prevent future rust. The cost is manageable, so no need to worry.
