Even small scratches and dents can spoil the appearance of your car and affect its resale value - not to mention they’re hugely frustrating! But, you don’t always have to take your car to the garage to have every indent and scrape attended to by a professional. There are ways to quickly and easily fix small, superficial dents and scratches at home.

Here, we explain how to get a dent out of a car and how to get rid of scratches on your car at home to keep your vehicle in tip-top condition.

Contents:

• Can I fix dents and scratches in my car myself?

• How to remove scratches from a car

• Step-by-step guide to remove scratches from a car

• How to remove dents from a car

• Step-by-step guide to remove dents from a car

• Can I repair a dent with a hairdryer?

• How much will it cost to have dents and scratches in my car repaired?

• Will my car insurance cover the repair of dents and scratches?

Can I fix dents and scratches in my car myself?

The good news is, you can fix most dents in your car’s bodywork and remove scratches from your car’s paint yourself if they aren’t too extensive. You may be able to fix a dent in your car at home if it’s approximately less than three inches wide and not too deep. You can often fix even deep scratches yourself, as long as there isn’t damage to the bodywork around the scratch. Although, if you have significant dents and scratches in your car, it’s best to book in for a car service and get it looked at by a professional.

How to remove scratches from a car

You can cover, hide and buff out scratches on a car using professional products like car polish, car wax, cutting or rubbing compounds, or a scratch repair pen.

Car polish and car wax are generally more suitable for lighter scratches, while cutting and rubbing compounds can be used for medium-sized scratches. Scratch repair pens are usually applied to deeper scratches.

If you’re unsure which scratch repair product is right for you, ask an expert at the shop when you buy it. You can show them your car or take a photo of the offending scratch. They can also help you match the colour of the product to your car for a seamless finish.

Step-by-step guide to remove scratches from a car

Once you have chosen your scratch repair product, follow these simple instructions to remove scratches from a car and keep it looking as good as new.

Step 1. Clean and dry the area around the scratch

First, remove any dirt, grime, dust or any other substances from the scratch and the area surrounding it with a soft, damp microfibre cloth, and then wait for the area to dry. This is so the repair product you use can adhere to your car properly.

Step 2. Apply your scratch repair product

Apply your chosen product, carefully following the instructions on the pack to fix scratches on your car.

To get the best results with car polish and car wax, apply them as multiple thin layers until the scratch disappears. If you’re using cutting and rubbing compounds, work them into the scratch with a soft microfibre cloth using a gentle, circular rubbing motion. Use a scratch pen exactly as described in the instructions to get the best results.

Step 3. Wipe the scratch and the surrounding area down

Once the scratch repair product you’ve used has dried and you’ve removed the scratches from your car’s paint, wipe the area down to remove any excess solution. Use recommend using a soft, damp cloth for this.

Step 4. Wax and polish the area

Finish off by giving the area a thorough wax and polish to leave a smooth finish to your car exterior. This will let it shine and will hopefully look as good as new!

How to remove dents from a car

Wondering how to fix a dent in a car? You can coax smaller dents out of your car’s bodywork using various tools. Most of these tools use suction to draw your car’s bodywork back into place, and include plungers, vacuum cleaners, and dent repair kits. You can always try different tools and approaches until you find one that works best for you.

Step-by-step guide to remove dents from a car

Once you’ve selected your tools, follow these steps to remove a dent from your car:

Step 1. Clean and dry the area around the dent

Clean any dirt and dust away from the area, so you can see the size and shape of the dent clearly. Make sure the area is dry before you move on to the next step.

Step 2. Use the tool you’ve selected

If you’re using a puncture repair kit, apply it as explained on the instructions.

If you are using a plunger, place it over the dent and work it slowly back and forth until you hear your car’s bodywork pop back into place. With a vacuum cleaner, cut a hole in the bottom of a bucket or small plastic bowl that’s large enough to take the nozzle of your vacuum. Make sure the fit around it is airtight using strong tape. Then, turn the vacuum on and work it like a plunger, back and forth, until you hear the bodywork of your car pop back out again.

Step 3. Check and try again if required

Even though you may have heard a pop of bodywork, the dent may not have come out all the way. So, repeat step 2 as necessary and keep checking until the dent is fully removed.

Step 4. Wax and polish the area

When you’re done, wipe the surface clean, dry it, then apply wax and polish, as required, to smooth the finish of your car’s bodywork out and make it shine.

Can I repair a dent with a hairdryer?

Yes. In some situations, you can use a hairdryer to fix car dents. However, this only works when the dent is small, shallow and on panels that can be removed.

You can use a hairdryer to heat the affected area to soften it and make it more malleable. We recommend using a medium heat and taking your time with it. Once you think the area is malleable enough to work with, gently press the dent out (whilst wearing heat-proof gloves).

How much will it cost to have dents and scratches in my car repaired?

The cost of restoring your car’s bodywork will depend on a range of factors. These include the degree of damage, location, and the make and model of your car.

Will my car insurance cover the repair of dents and scratches?

Some insurance policies will cover cosmetic work on your car’s exterior, but some won’t, so it’s important to read the small print when deciding what car insurance to take out. If you’re thinking about making an insurance claim, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to find out what options are available to you.

Small scratches and dents can have a big impact on the appearance of your car. But we hope, with this guide on how to get rid of small dents and scratches, you can remove most offending blemishes yourself at home. However, if you have more serious dents and scratches in your bodywork, or you think your car needs to be looked over for any other reason, you can arrange a car service at your nearest Eurorepar centre.