How to Pull a Dent Out of a Quarter Panel

Co-authored by Charlie Payne and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: September 28, 2022 References

We know it’s the worst feeling when you get into an accident that dings up your vehicle. Luckily, dented quarter panels, or the body sections around your rear wheels, are usually quick cosmetic repairs you can do on your own. You probably have some questions about how to fix the panel, so we’ll cover some of the best things you can do so you barely even notice the damage!

Question 1 of 6:

Can all car dents be fixed?

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You can fix most shallow dents as long as they’re just cosmetic. You’ll have the most luck with dents that are small and concave on smooth surfaces. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience repairing vehicles, you may already have the supplies at home to work on minor damage. Some smaller dent repairs only take minutes but others require a bit more patience and hard work to get the panel back to its original shape.^{[1]
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- You may still notice some slight damage from home repairs, which could affect the resale value and overall look of your vehicle.
- Dents that are on the edges of a panel or creases are more difficult to repair on your own. Depending on the location and on the structural damage, it might not be able to repair it.
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Take your vehicle to a shop if the dent broke through the clear coat. When you damage the sealant on your vehicle’s body, it’s more likely that it will develop rust and corrosion. Inspect the dent to see if any of the clear coat has worn away or if there’s a tear in the panel. If there is, contact your local auto body shop to get a quote for your repairs.^{[2]
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- You should also take your vehicle into a shop if you don’t feel comfortable working on it yourself.

Question 2 of 6:

How do I use a dent removal tool?

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Glue the tool’s suction cup to the middle of the dent. Most dent remover kits come with a hot glue gun, a suction cup, and a crossbar used to pull out the damage. Heat up your glue gun and apply hot glue to the bottom of the suction cup. Then, press it flat against the middle of the dent.^{[3]
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Research source} Let the glue dry for at least 10–30 seconds so it adheres properly.^{[4]
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- You can buy dent remover kits online or at your local automotive supply store. They usually cost around $30–50 USD.
- If your removal tool doesn’t come with a hot glue gun, you may not need to glue the suction cup down. Just push the suction cup hard against the center of the dent so it sticks to your panel.
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Attach the crossbar to the suction cup. Slide the suction cup through the hole in the middle of the crossbar. Turn the crossbar so the 2 feet on either side are on a flat area on your quarter panel. Press the feet tightly against the panel so they stick to your vehicle. Then, screw the knob onto the end of the suction cup to keep the crossbar from falling off.^{[5]
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- If you don’t put the feet on a flat surface, they may slide around and won’t pull the dent out.
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Turn the suction cup’s knob clockwise to pop the dent out. Only rotate the knob by a half-turn at a time so you’re less likely to damage your vehicle. As you turn the knob, the feet will press against your vehicle’s body and the suction cup will pull the panel out. Keep turning the knob until you see or hear the panel pop back into its original position. Once you pull out the dent, the removal tool will easily come off of the panel.^{[6]
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- If you have glue residue on the panel, heat it up with a hairdryer or heat gun until the glue softens. Then, you can easily wipe or peel the glue off of the panel.^{[7]
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- Sometimes, the removal tool will only pop out a portion of a larger dent. If you can still see damage, reposition the tool’s suction cup to the lowest section of the dent and repeat the process.

Question 3 of 6:

How do I get a dent out of a car with a plunger?

Press the plunger into the middle of the dent and pull it out. Start by getting the panel wet with some water so the plunger forms a better seal.^{[8]
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Research source} Push the plunger’s cup over the center of the dent, but don’t press too hard or you could make the damage worse. Give the plunger a quick tug straight out so the dent pops out.^{[9]
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- You may need to try pulling out the dent with your plunger multiple times.
- Stick with a basic cup plunger used for sinks and drains since a flange plunger used for toilets won’t get good suction.

Question 4 of 6:

Can hot water pop out a dent?

Hot water might fix a dent if it’s not on a flat surface. Bring a pot of water to a boil and take it out to your vehicle. Slowly pour the hot water over the dent so it heats up the panel and makes it more malleable.^{[10]
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Research source} After that, spray the area with compressed air to cool it down quickly. If you’re lucky, the dent will pop right out.^{[11]
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- It may take a few full pots of water to heat the panel enough so you can reshape it.
- Instead of using water, you could also try heating the panel with a blow dryer or heat gun.
- If spraying the dent with compressed air doesn’t work, look for a way to access the area behind the dent. After you heat up the panel, use your hands to push the dent out from the inside.

Question 5 of 6:

How do I hammer out a dent?

Tap the dent from the inside of the panel so you don't damage the paint. Since you’ll need access behind the dent, you may need to remove a taillight or wheel to reach the area. Place a dolly, which is a curved metal support piece, on the outside of the panel so it follows the shape of your vehicle’s body. Gently tap the inside of the panel with a soft rubber mallet or body hammer so it conforms to the shape of the dolly.^{[12]
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- Be careful not to hit too hard since you could break through the panel or cause it to bow out.^{[13]
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Question 6 of 6:

How much does it cost to pull out a dent?

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Golf ball-sized dents usually cost $150 USD or more. The total price depends on the dent’s location, sharpness, and ease of access. Luckily, they usually only take around an hour to repair. Ask the technician for an estimate when you take your vehicle in since they’ll be able to give you a more accurate price once they see it.^{[14]
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- If you have multiple dents, ask if the auto body shop offers any discounts so you don’t have to pay the full price for each one.
- You may be able to find paintless dent repair services in your area if there’s no damage to your vehicle’s paint job. They usually will come to you so you don’t have to take your vehicle into the shop.
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Dents or creases bigger than your hand will cost over $250 USD. Larger dents require a lot more work and the shop may need to remove other parts of your vehicle for the fix. The price also depends on the model of your vehicle and if they need to repaint the surface. When you take your vehicle in, show the repairperson the damage and ask them what the best steps are for moving forward.^{[15]
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- Larger dents may take around 2–4 hours to repair.
- For more severe damage, you may need to have your quarter panel repainted or replaced entirely.
- Sometimes, larger dents affect the structural integrity of your vehicle, which may end up costing you more.