A dent in your car may seem like a small matter, but it can ruin the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle and leave the panel susceptible to rust under the auto paint. There are some paintless dent repair “strategies” that drivers attempt on their own, but these fail more often than they work. Know which strategies are myths, so you won’t fall victim to trying them and causing further damage to your car.

What to Avoid in Paintless Dent Repair

1. Dry Ice

Drivers sometimes try letting their car heat up in the sun, then placing dry ice over the dent. The extreme change in temperature can cause the metal to pop back out. However, this method may cause more damage to the car by scratching or cracking the paint. You will also burn yourself if you accidentally touch the dry ice or the cold body of the car with your bare skin.

2. Hair Dryer

Another method is to heat the dent using a hair dryer, then spray it with compressed air to pop it back out. Just like dry ice, this method is likely to crack the paint. Once the paint has been compromised, moisture can get through to rust the panel, and the entire panel will have to be repainted or replaced.

3. Plunger

Some try using a cup plunger, creating a seal by getting both the plunger and the car wet. They then push and pull on the panel until the dent pops out. This often results in overpulling, which pulls the dent from inward to outward. This loosens the paint and ruins the integrity of the metal by overextending it.

The only truly reliable solution for paintless dent repair is to take it into a professional. They have the innovative tools and training to restore the panel without damaging the metal or paint. David’s Hail & Collision Repair is the trusted collision repair shop for the drivers of the Englewood, CO, area. Their technicians are ASE-certified to provide the best possible service. They offer a lifetime warranty on all dent and hail repair services, so you can trust the result. Contact them online or at (303) 815-3854 to request a free estimate.