The Pros & Cons of DIY Auto Dent Removal

If you were backing out of a parking space and hit a light pool, if a shopping cart hit your car or if you were involved in a minor fender bender, you may have a small dent on your car. In these scenarios, you may not want to file an insurance claim, so you may find yourself thinking about removing the dent yourself. There are many at-home dent removal kits you can buy at auto repair shops that utilize a suction technique to help pull the dent out.

Learning the pros and cons of this will help you determine if you should attempt to do it on your own or take your car to an auto body repair shop. Here are a couple of the pros and cons of do-it-yourself auto dent removal.

Pros of DIY Auto Dent Removal

It is Cheaper: One of the benefits to do-it-yourself dent removal is that it is cheaper to buy a repair kit and do-it-yourself than it is to take your car to an auto body repair shop. If money is tight and you want your car fixed, this may be a great option for you.

Easy to Use: The other upside to do-it-yourself auto dent removal is that the kits are fairly straightforward and easy to use. Even those who have little automotive knowledge are able to follow the instructions and use the kit. You should not be worried about attempting this just because you are not auto savvy.

Cons of DIY Auto Dent Removal

May Cause Paint Damage to Your Car: One of the downsides to do-it-yourself auto dent removal is that it may cause paint damage to your car. The suction method may lift paint away from your car, especially if there is a scratch, paint bubble or paint chip already present. An auto body repair shop uses dent removal methods that help to prevent paint damage to your car, helping to prevent costly color matching paint repair and services.

There May be Hidden Damage Under the Dent: The biggest disadvantage to do-it-yourself dent repair is that there may be extensive damage under the dent that you don't see. There is often foam behind the panels of your car that absorbs the impact.

What may look like a small exterior dent may be concealing a large foam dent behind the panel. An auto body repair shop knows how to tell if the foam is damaged and if it is needs to be repaired, in addition to replacing the dent. This keeps you safe if there is an accident in the same area that your dent is present.

Weighing the pros and cons of do-it-yourself auto dent removal will help you determine if this is a good option for you. If it is, you can purchase a repair kit at any auto parts store. If it is not, or you have tried to repair the dent yourself and have not been successful, an auto body repair shop like Westside Fender/Body & Refinishing can help you to remove the dent from your car, getting your car back to its pre-accident condition.


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