What to Do When There's a Dent Near the Car Headlight?
2 Answers
There are two scenarios when there's a dent near the car headlight: the bumper part and the metal body shell. Here are the details: 1. Bumper Part: If it's the bumper, you can try using a heat lamp from the opposite side of the dent. Since the bumper is made of plastic, it will soften when heated, allowing you to push the dented part back into place from behind. Be careful not to overheat, but ensure it's heated sufficiently. Excessive heating may cause the bumper to deform or damage the paint. 2. Metal Body Shell: If it's the metal body shell, you can try using a small hammer wrapped in rubber (commonly known as a dead blow hammer) to gently tap from the opposite side to restore the shape. The rubber-wrapped hammer head provides a cushioning effect during tapping, avoiding direct hard impacts that could chip the paint.
When I first encountered this issue, the dent near the headlight really bothered me, so I tried fixing it myself. First, I washed the car body, then used a heat gun or poured hot water (if it was a plastic part) to soften the area. After that, I bought a car dent puller tool—online tutorials made it seem pretty straightforward. I aligned it with the center of the dent and pulled hard a few times. Surprisingly, small dents really can pop out—not perfect, but it saved time. However, remember: if the dent is too deep or the metal is cracked, it’s risky. It might involve the headlight wiring harness, causing bulbs to fail or water leaks. After fixing it, test the headlight switch multiple times to ensure the lighting isn’t affected—it’ll give you peace of mind when driving at night. But if you can’t handle it yourself, don’t force it. It’s better to visit a professional shop—cost-effective and reliable—to avoid turning a small problem into a major repair.
