How to Fix a Dent on the Side of Your Car: A Comprehensive Guide

A smooth, flawless car exterior boosts its aesthetic appeal and resale value. Unfortunately, everyday driving exposes your vehicle to potential dents and dings, especially on the sides, which can detract from its appearance and even lead to further issues like rust. Knowing how to address these dents is crucial for maintaining your car’s condition.

While minor dents and door dings on the side of your car can often be handled with do-it-yourself (DIY) methods, including dent repair kits and body fillers, larger or more complex dents might require the expertise of a paintless dent repair (PDR) technician or an auto body shop to ensure a professional and lasting repair.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to fix dents on the side of your car. We’ll cover various repair options, typical costs, and factors to consider when deciding on the best approach.

Understanding Car Dents on the Side

Dents on the side of your car can arise from numerous everyday situations. Even careful drivers can encounter scenarios that lead to unsightly damage.

Small dents are often caused by road debris, hail, or even runaway shopping carts in parking lots. Door dings are particularly common on car sides, occurring when opening your door too close to another vehicle, wall, or obstacle, or when someone else does the same to your car. Larger dents on the side are frequently the result of minor collisions, falling tree branches, or other significant impacts.

It’s helpful to understand the different types of dents you might encounter on your car’s side panels:

Type	Description	Must Know Info About Removal
Ding	A small, shallow area of damage	Often simple to fix DIY
Round Dent	A circular indentation	May be possible to “pop” back out
Sharp Dent	Small but deep and pointed divot	More challenging to repair
Crease Dent	A long, folded dent, often with paint damage	Professional repair usually recommended
Serious Dent	Large or multiple dents, potentially with structural damage	May indicate structural issues, seek professional assessment

Understanding the type and location of the dent is the first step in determining the best repair method. Car side panels are typically made of metal, either steel or aluminum, while bumpers are usually plastic. This material difference dictates the repair techniques that will be most effective.

Why Prompt Dent Repair on Your Car Side is Important

Once you notice a dent on the side of your car, addressing it promptly is advisable. It’s not just about aesthetics; there are practical and safety reasons to get side dents repaired quickly. While DIY repairs can be cost-effective, professional repairs offer a higher level of finish and address potential underlying issues.

Leaving dents unrepaired, especially those that have damaged the paint, can lead to moisture intrusion, resulting in rust and paint flaking. Larger dents, particularly crease dents from significant impacts, might conceal structural damage to the car’s body, compromising safety. Furthermore, even seemingly minor dents can negatively impact your car’s aerodynamics, potentially lowering fuel economy over time. These factors underscore the importance of timely dent repair. Fortunately, various options are available to effectively restore your car’s side panels.

Alt text: A minor ding on the side door of a silver car, illustrating typical small car body damage.

DIY Dent Repair Methods for Your Car Side Panels

For minor dents, door dings, or bumper damage on the side of your car, DIY repair can be a cost-effective and convenient solution.

Repairing Plastic Bumper Dents on the Side

Dents in plastic are common on bumpers, which often extend to the sides of the car. These dents are often relatively easy to repair at home using heat and basic tools. Here’s how to fix a plastic dent on your car’s side:

1. Heat the dent: Use a hairdryer on a medium setting to gently heat the dented area. Keep the hairdryer moving and heat until the plastic is warm to the touch but not excessively hot.
2. Apply Cool Air (for small dents): If the dent is small, try spraying compressed air (available at most electronics or office supply stores) over the warmed plastic. The rapid cooling can cause the plastic to contract and pop the dent out.
3. Use a Dent Puller (for larger dents): For larger dents or if compressed air doesn’t work, use a plastic dent puller (suction cup style, readily available online or at auto parts stores). Attach the puller to the center of the dent and firmly pull outwards to suction the dent out.
4. Smooth out any imperfections: After pulling the dent, you might notice minor surface irregularities. Gently smooth these out with your hands or the dent puller.

Alt text: Heating a plastic car bumper dent with a hairdryer, first step in DIY plastic dent repair.

Repairing Metal Side Panel Dents

For dents on the metal side panels of your car, a dent repair kit is usually required. These kits typically include various tools designed to pull the dented metal outwards.

Here’s a step-by-step process for repairing metal dents on your car side:

1. Heat the dent (for larger dents): For larger metal dents, use a hairdryer to warm the area. This can make the metal slightly more pliable and easier to work with. For small dents, you might be able to skip this step.
2. Use a Dent Puller (initial pull): Apply a dent puller to the center of the dent to gently pull it outwards. The goal at this stage is to reduce the depth of the dent, not necessarily remove it completely.
3. Clean the Metal Surface: Wipe the area around the dent with a microfiber towel to remove any dirt or debris. This ensures proper adhesion for the next steps.
4. Prepare the Bridge Puller: Most dent repair kits include a bridge puller. This tool uses adhesive tabs (heads) that are glued to the dent. Apply the adhesive from your kit to a suitable sized puller head and attach it to the deepest point of the dent.
5. Attach the Bridge Puller Head: Press the head firmly onto the glued area and allow the adhesive to cure according to the kit’s instructions (usually 4-8 minutes).
6. Use the Bridge Puller to Remove the Dent: Once the adhesive is dry, attach the bridge puller over the head. Turn the dial on the bridge puller slowly to gradually pull the metal outwards. Monitor the dent’s shape and stop when the dent is removed and the metal is back to its original contour. Avoid over-pulling.
7. Remove the Head and Puller: Detach the bridge puller. To remove the glued head, use the hairdryer to gently heat the adhesive. This will soften the glue, allowing you to peel off the head. Clean any remaining adhesive residue.
8. Touch Up Paint (if necessary): If the dent repair has caused any minor paint damage, use a touch-up paint kit that matches your car’s color. Clean the area, apply primer if included in the kit, and then carefully apply thin layers of paint until the damage is concealed.

Alt text: Employing a bridge puller from a dent repair kit to pull out a metal car side panel dent.

Using Body Filler for Deeper Side Dents

In situations where dents are too deep or DIY pulling methods are not completely effective, body filler can be used to create a smooth, even surface. Body filler, like Bondo®, is a putty that fills in the remaining dent and can be sanded and painted for a seamless finish.

Here’s how to use body filler to fix a dent on your car side:

1. Clean the Dented Area: Thoroughly clean the dent and surrounding area with soap and water, then dry it completely with a microfiber cloth.
2. Sand the Paint: Use 80-grit sandpaper and a sanding block to remove the paint from the dent and about 2-5 inches around it. This provides a rough surface for the body filler to adhere to.
3. Minimize the Dent (if possible): Before applying filler, try to reduce the dent as much as possible using the dent removal techniques described earlier. This will minimize the amount of filler needed.
4. Apply Body Filler: Mix the body filler according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually involving a hardener). Apply the filler firmly into the dent using a plastic spreader, ensuring it fills the dent completely and is slightly proud of the surrounding surface. Allow it to dry for the time specified on the product.
5. Sand the Filler (Initial Shaping): Once dry, use 80-grit sandpaper to begin shaping the filler. Sand down the high spots to match the contour of the surrounding car panel.
6. Smooth the Finish (Fine Sanding): After achieving the general shape, switch to 180-grit sandpaper to refine the surface and remove scratches from the coarser grit.
7. Apply Glaze and Spot Putty (for pinholes): For an ultra-smooth finish, apply a thin layer of glazing and spot putty over the filled area. This fills in any pinholes or minor imperfections.
8. Final Sanding: Once the glaze is dry, sand again with 180-grit sandpaper, followed by 320-grit sandpaper to eliminate any visible sanding marks and create a smooth surface ready for paint.
9. Prime and Paint: Use automotive primer to prepare the area for paint. Once the primer is dry, apply automotive touch-up paint that matches your car’s color code in thin, even coats until you achieve full coverage and a seamless blend with the surrounding paint.

Alt text: Smoothing body filler over a car dent using a spreader, part of the body filler dent repair process.

Professional Dent Repair Options for Car Sides

For a truly flawless dent repair, especially for larger or more complex dents, or when you prefer not to DIY, professional services offer expertise and specialized tools.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) for Side Dents

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is a highly effective and often more affordable professional method for fixing dents, especially on car sides. PDR technicians use specialized tools to gently massage and manipulate the metal from behind the panel, effectively “pushing” the dent back to its original shape without damaging the paint.

PDR is ideal for:

• Dents without paint damage: As the name suggests, PDR is best suited for dents where the paint is intact.
• Dents in accessible areas: Technicians need access to the back side of the dented panel to perform PDR. Side panels are often accessible.
• Various dent sizes: PDR can handle a range of dent sizes, from small dings to larger dents, depending on complexity and location.

PDR offers several advantages:

• Cost-effective: Generally less expensive than traditional body shop repairs, especially for smaller to medium-sized dents.
• Fast turnaround: PDR is often completed within a few hours, sometimes even on the same day.
• Maintains original paint: Preserves your car’s factory paint finish, which can be beneficial for resale value.

Auto Body Shop for Major Side Dent Repair

For significant dents, dents with paint damage, or dents that might involve structural damage to the car’s side, an auto body shop is the best option. Body shops have the expertise and equipment to handle complex repairs, including:

• Large and deep dents: Body shops can repair dents of any size and severity.
• Dents with paint damage: They can perform bodywork and repaint the affected area to match your car’s original finish.
• Structural damage repair: If the dent has caused underlying structural damage, body shops can assess and repair it, ensuring your car’s safety.

While body shop repairs are typically more expensive than DIY or PDR, they provide a comprehensive solution for more severe damage, ensuring a high-quality and structurally sound repair. In cases of very extensive damage, a body shop might even recommend replacing the entire side panel if it’s more cost-effective than extensive repair work.

Cost of Car Side Dent Repair

The cost to fix a dent on the side of your car varies depending on the repair method, dent size, location, and whether you choose DIY or professional services.

• DIY Dent Repair Costs: DIY dent repair kits typically range from $40 to $100. Body filler and related supplies can add another $30 to $50, depending on the extent of the repair needed. Overall, DIY can cost under $150 for materials.
• Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) Costs: PDR costs vary based on dent size and location. Expect to pay around $75 to $300 for medium-sized dents on the side of your car. Larger or more complex dents can range from $300 to $500 or more.
• Auto Body Shop Costs: Auto body shop repairs are the most expensive option. Minor dent repairs with repainting can start around $500, and more significant damage can easily cost $1,000 to $2,000 or more. Replacing an entire side panel can also fall within this higher price range.

It’s always advisable to get estimates from a few local PDR technicians or body shops to compare pricing and services before making a decision.

Conclusion

Dents on the side of your car are an unfortunate but common occurrence. Whether you choose to tackle minor dents yourself with DIY methods or opt for professional Paintless Dent Repair or auto body shop services for more extensive damage, addressing dents promptly is essential for maintaining your car’s appearance, value, and structural integrity. By understanding the different repair options and their associated costs, you can make an informed decision to restore your car’s side panels to their former glory.