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Home > Panel Beaters & Painters > Can you repair a small dent yourself?

Can you repair a small dent yourself?

A small dent on a smooth panel can ruin the appearance of your vehicle. Car doors can receive scrapes and scratches in shopping centrecarparks, or from stones or branches flicked up on the road. What are your options for repairing small vehicle dents?

Close up of small panel repair on car rear.

How serious is the dent?

Vehicle dents may be a concern for cosmetic reasons only; you want the car to look presentable and well-kept. Or a dent maybe a concern from a body maintenance perspective, especially if the car’s enamel is chipped to expose the base metal, which is a starting point for rust to develop. You need to work out whether it is worthclaiming the dent repair on insurance, whether you are able to fix the repair yourself, or have it repaired professionally.

Do it yourself car repairs?

Depending on the size and severity of the dent, you might decide to try to fix the dent yourself as a cost saving exercise. There are many DIY instructions for small dent repairs on the Internet. Most instructions involve using dent removal tools and filler. This approach can work for some dents, but a lot will depend on the dent’s location and how much paint has been lost. Your car may not end up restored to its original state, as it would from a professionally performed job.

If you are not confident in doing your own repairs, contact a paintless dent removal specialist as you may be surprised at how inexpensive their repairs can be. Otherwise, talk to a local panel beater or body repairer for advice and to get a quote for the removal of the dent.

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