Removing a dent from the body of your car can be simple if you know how. Keep in mind that the following methods are meant for small-to-medium-sized dents. For any dents that are too big, consider consulting a car body shop.

Learn how you can remove a dent by using a specialty tool, a plunger, by applying hot and cold, or how you can use an ordinary vacuum for paint-less dent removal.

Whatever the reason for the dents and dings in your car, make sure you're covered by your

car insurance

in case these home remedies don't work.

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Take a dent out of the car with a specialty tool

In case you don't have

comprehensive coverage

, you may have to fix small dents yourself. Using a

tool

specially designed for the process is one of the best ways to get a dent out of a car. To use a pop-a-dent tool, follow these steps:

Attach tab. Attach the puller tab to the deepest part of the dented area using hot glue.

Allow the glue to set to the point where it no longer has any stickiness and is only tacky.

Set up the puller. Feed the threaded shaft through the hole in the dent puller and attach the handle.

The dent puller uses the pads attached to either side to provide counter pressure to the threaded puller tab in the middle of the device.

Use the puller. Turn the handle, which in turn pulls the puller tab away from the body of the car.

Keep tightening the handle until the dent is gone.

Tap down high areas. Using tools designed for the job, such as special hammers and taps, tap down any ridges or high areas around the dent.

Repeat as necessary. Repeat the steps above as necessary until the dent is removed and the body of the car is smooth.

Clean up glue. Using a cleaning solution, remove any glue once the dent is removed.

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How to fix alloy rim scratches

Use a plunger to pop a dent out

You can also use a plunger to remove a dent in the body of a car. This method of paint-less dent removal works best with shallow or small-to-medium-sized dents. Use the following steps to get a dent out of a car:

Lubricate the plunger. Apply petroleum jelly around the edge of the plunger to act as a lubricant.

Apply the plunger. Place the plunger against the dented area and gently press in to form a tight seal.

Pop out the dent dent. Pull the plunger away from the body of the car. The suction from the plunger should pull the body of the car out along with the suction, hopefully removing the dent.

Repeat as necessary.

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Popping dents with dry ice or heat

Using alternating heat and cold, you can coax the dent into popping out on its own. The rapid change in temperature through the natural expansion and contraction of the material can help fix a dent to your vehicle.

The easiest way to apply heat involves the use of a hair dryer, while compressed air can provide an easy way to cool the body of the car once heated up. Here's how to complete the process in more detail:

Apply heat. Using a device such as a hair dryer or heat gun, apply heat to the dented area.

This step should take no longer than 30 seconds to complete.

You can also use hot, boiling water to heat the material of the body of your car. This works especially well on plastic body materials, such as on plastic bumpers.

Cool the metal. Next, apply compressed air to help cool the heated area.

If done correctly, the cold air should help the metal pop back into place.

Dry ice, another alternative to compressed air, can rapidly cool car body material, causing the dented material to pop back into place. Make sure to wear the proper protective equipment when using dry ice, such as rubber gloves.

Also remember to protect your car's paint from the effects of dry ice. You can do this by putting a sheet of aluminum foil between your vehicle and the dry ice.

Key Takeaway: Applying heat for half a minute to the dent and then using compressed air or dry ice on it can pop it out. Just make sure to protect both yourself and the car if you are using dry ice.

Use a vacuum cleaner to pop out a dent

You can use the hose of a vacuum to pop out a small car dent by using a pot or a bucket with a small hole in it and following these steps:

Secure bucket or pot over the dent. Remember that the bucket or pot should have a small hole that the vacuum hose can completely cover. Use tape to fix the pot or bucket to the surface of your car. Make the seal around the bucket or pot as airtight as possible.

Put the vacuum hose over the small hole and turn it on. The suction created by the vacuum will hopefully help a small dent pop out!

Whether you got a dent from a fender bender or a

car accident

, getting a dent in your car is annoying and irritating. But by using the above methods, you can easily remove small dents and bangs from the body of your car.

This helps save you the expense of taking your car to a body repair shop. If the dent is too big, however, you should consider seeking the help of a professional to prevent further damage from taking place.

MORE:

How to decide if you should take your car to a repair shop or a mobile mechanic

FAQs

How do I get a big dent out of a car?

If the dent is too big to remove using one of these methods, you'll have to bring the car to a detailer or auto body shop.

Can a plunger really pop a dent?

Yes. Though it may seem silly, the methods described in this article all work, including the use of a plunger.

What if I need to pay for repairs?

Sometimes, you can't fix a dent yourself. That means a trip to the mechanic and some repair costs. But they don't have to se you back too much, especially if you have the right car insurance. For the best deal, try

car insurance

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