Here’s another trick when you’re trying to remove and get dents out of a car’s door panel. The best situation is if you use the method mentioned up higher and use the plunger. If it works, your task at hand has been fixed.
However, there’s something else you can try.
Heating metal will cause it to expand. Cooling metal will cause it to contract.
Certain situations do not lend themselves very well to using a suction device to pull out the dent. Perhaps it’s too small, and the suction cup doesn’t stick properly.
It could also be that it’s inaccessible or hard for the plunger to get a grip.
So, here’s what you’ll do to a dent in a car door panel that’s causing you issues.
Take advantage of the fact that metal has the properties that it has. However, make sure that the hair dryer doesn’t overheat.
You will want to heat up the panel area that has been affected. It should take you somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes. You now want to cool it down suddenly with cold water. It’s important that the water is sufficiently cool to give it the shocking effect you’re after.
It may not work the first or second time. Try doing it a third time.
There are certain things to look out for. Also, it is a method that should be used when the alternative isn’t working. Constantly running your hair dryer leaves it at the risk of it overheating. If so, it could be destroyed. When the hair dryer is getting so hot that you’re getting concerned, you will want to turn it off. Give it a break.
It has done good work already. It’s also important to realize that the metal panel will get hot. You could potentially burn yourself doing it. Lastly, if done for too long, it can damage the paint.
So it bears noting that the hair dryer method should be used with caution. Avoid doing it so long that it damages the paint. It can also work to get dents out of car panels that have some of the characteristics we described above.
Crease dents are nasty, though! They’ll leave the paint damaged, and while you might be able to pull the dent out, it still won’t look good.
What are some products we recommend?
We know we told you to go to Amazon and get a dent puller. The truth is some are better than others.
There’s the small, simple plunger that may get the job done. It also may not. You could even use the one that you already have at home.
Gliston store
Gliston store is a luxurious solution when it comes to this type of work. Whether you’re an enthusiastic DIY person or a shop, this set will go a long way. It can be used on various parts, including the car hood.
It comes with an impressive 89 pieces and treats everything from hail damage to dings. If there is one dent kit to rule them all, this is it.
| Specification | Details |
| Manufacturer | Carshome |
| Brand | GLISTON |
| Product | Gliston 89pcs Dent Puller Kit |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs |
| Package dimensions | 15.2 x 8.82 x 7.32 inches |
Pros
- Does not hurt the original paint
- Can repair dents up to 10 inches
- Includes step by step dent removal guide
- Portable to take anywhere
Cons
- Dent area has to be cleaned properly otherwise glue does not stick to the dent
Manelord
Manelord offers another option that we’re crazy about. It’s not the big, vast kit that you get from Gliston, but it’s a very powerful plunger. There’s much good to say about it, and there’s a reason they have so many reviews.
At the present time, they have over 2,500 reviews.
There are reasons why this plunger works a lot better than some of the alternatives. It uses science.
It uses the scientific principle of leverage, making it much easier to use than a more basic model. It also comes with an incredible amount of suction cups.
These cups are a game-changer compared to the most basic model. We’ll talk about that in just a second.
However, the suction cups ensure you can get a grip and that it’ll be easy. You’ll have to create a vacuum to get a grip with a normal plunger.
It works great in a place like a toilet, where creating this vacuum is easy. However, it may not be on the side of a metal sheet located on a car. It even works on a metal fender!
It’s adjustable in a way so you can easily make the tool work for you. If it’s a small dent, it’ll need a different setting than a big one.
| Specification | Details |
| Manufacturer | Manelord |
| Brand | Manelord |
| Product | Auto Body Dent Repair Kit |
| Weight | 1.02 pounds |
| Package dimensions | 8.43 x 8.03 x 3.78 inches |
Pros
- Ergonomically designed
- Saves huge labour costs of professional workshops
- Removes even the deep dents
- Very light in weight
Cons
- Not suitable for tight spaces
QQCherry
QQCherry makes the third tool we’d like to highlight. It’s quite an odd name for a plunger if you ask us, but it’s gotten a lot of positive feedback.
Trust us when we say that we went through a bunch of plungers in pursuit of the right one. There were a bunch of the cheaper models that just didn’t stack up. Whenever force would be applied, they’d break.
It’s an option when you’re on a budget. Is it really the best plunger to repair dents in the car? Probably not. However, has it helped make the world a little bit less dented. Definitely.
Which types can be fixed at home?
We don’t want you going down the rabbit hole if there are talks about the damage that you won’t be able to fix at home. It’s better to be straight up about it. Some types of damage won’t even help to get started.
There’s a thing that’s important to consider.
Has the dent damaged the paint when it happened? It would be great news if it didn’t because then the odds are that the results will be better.
Have big depressions been formed on the surface? It’s another good sign because these bigger surfaces can be fixed as well. Sharp. Small indents leave very little possibility of being pulled out.
Cracks on the panel will also make it hard to work with. It means pulling out the dent isn’t possible.
Dents can also be so large that they cannot be suctioned out.
Is your body panel made of aluminum? You’re also out of luck in a majority of the cases. However, there are some instances where it’s possible.
We’ve now covered the situations where you’re out of luck. Are you still following along? Great, we’ve got lots of good stuff coming up.
Factors to consider
Size
The size of the dent that has appeared on the car panel needs to be checked well before fixing it. Only small dents can be fixed at home. if it is a big one, it needs to be taken to a professional workshop.
Paint condition
If you are planning to use the boiling water technique, the condition of the paint should be evaluated thoroughly. The temperature of boiling water can damage the paint surface if the paint is too old.
Tools
Make sure that you have all the necessary tools before starting with the dent repair. A half inventory of tools can even worsen the dent.
Patience
Car dent removal is not something that gets done in a jiffy. It needs to be done very patiently. Every step should be performed with patience and accuracy. If you are one of those people who are always in a hurry, then, my friend, take your car to a professional workshop.
