If there’s one thing that we can agree on as human beings,
it’s that dents suck a hundred and ten percent. And it’s not that they’re solely
part of the problem, although they are a major one. No, the most frustrating
aspect of dents is the repairs. And with the new God of War out, you don’t want
to waste the weekend haggling prices at the repair shop. No, you want to kill
beasts, listen to Mimir’s tales, and enjoy quality time with your son.
So, here are some simple and safe DIY techniques that’ll
help repair those dents at home. And don’t worry; I use the same techniques at
my car dent repair in Riverside.
Types of Dents
Essentially, there are two ways to remove dents: the
traditional expensive one and the inexpensive paintless one. The techniques
that you’ll learn here are of the paintless variety, and for them, it’s crucial
to have a basic understanding of the 4
basic types of dents:
Round Dents
- Circular in appearance but can also be a bit distorted.
- Typically caused by a blunt impact.
- Have a smooth continuous gradient.
Sharp Dents
- Small in size but has no specific appearance.
- Caused by sharp blows or objects.
- Have sharp gradients.
Creased Dents
- Have elongated appearances.
- Caused by large objects or multiple hits.
- Smooth continuous gradient.
Extreme Dents
- Varied appearance.
- Caused by huge or continuous impacts like those of an accident.
- No consistent gradient.
Tools You’ll Need
- Hot air gun with variable nozzle shapes and sizes.
- Strongly adhesive but easily washable glue.
- Wooden or metallic beams of varying sizes.
- Plunger and vacuum-powered suction cups.
- A rubber mallet with both a blunt and sharp edge.
- A bucket and a source of hot water.
The 5 Magical Techniques
The Heat It till You Bend It Method
- Only applicable for round and creased dents.
- Start by gradually warming the dented area using a bucket of hot water.
- Usually, by this point, dents with small curves will pop out on their own.
- If the dents don’t pop out, use a heat gun to directly heat the affected area using circular motions.
- Take care to use a temperature that’s safe for the paint.
The Suction Cup Technique.
- This method can effectively remove round, creased, and low-curved sharp dents.
- Directly place a plunger on the dented region and make sure that the seal is perfect.
- Using the plunger try to suck out as much and as many of the dents as possible.
- If the dent remains or it’s a sharp dent, use vacuum-powered suction cups.
The Sticky but Not Icky Method
- Except for the extreme variety, this method is good for all kinds of low curved dents.
- Use the glue to stick a non-metallic beam or any grabbable object onto the dent.
- Now, just pull on it.
If All Else Fails to Use the Hammer Technique
While great, it’s not uncommon for the above methods to
require additional and more impactful assistance. At car dent repairs in
Riverside, we use a rubber mallet to provide that tiny bit of extra force – as
it’s a lot more forgiving than the alternatives. However, be sure not to hit
the mallet onto the dented area; just gently tap it.
Know Your Limits
Although quite effective, keep in mind that these techniques
are DIYs and will only take you so far. Furthermore, none of these methods will
work for extreme dents. In conclusion, if you encounter a particularly pesky
dent that won’t go away, don’t try to force it and take your ride to a repair
shop.
