From a flying rock to a collision to hail, many things can put a dent on your vehicle as you drive around in Grand Forks. Regardless of the size of the dent, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible so that it won’t lead to rust and other issues. Before you go to a local body shop, you may want to know what repair options you have, how the technicians will fix your car’s dent, and how much you can expect to pay. Check out this helpful guide to learn more about dent repairs at a body shop.
Why You Should Fix Your Car Dents Sooner Rather Than Later
Dents aren’t only cosmetic blemishes, but they can escalate into other problems that can be costly to repair. The following are a few reasons why you should fix any dents on your car right away:
- Prevent rust: If an impact results in a crack, water can seep underneath your vehicle’s paint and reach the unprotected sheet metal. Subsequently, it’ll cause the metal to oxidize, which in turn leads to rust spots. The rust spots will expand in size over time, making them costlier to repair.
- Avoid long-term paint damage: Fixing a car dent usually involves more than just hammering out the dent. You may also have to repair the paint if there are scratches or cracks in the dented area. Everyday wear and tear and weather elements can cause the cracks to grow larger. As a result, the paint may peel or flake, leaving the bare metal exposed. Peeling paint can spread quickly and become a very expensive problem.
- Improve safety: Dings and dents may result in underlying structural damage that can jeopardize your safety on the road. For instance, if you’re involved in a front- or rear-end collision that causes damage to the quarter panel, it can bend the underlying metal. This can make your vehicle more unstable and difficult to control, which increases your accident risk.
How Does a Body Shop Fix Car Dents?
The process of repairing a car dent may vary from one body shop to another, but it usually involves a few common steps. In most cases, a technician will start by cleaning the dented area so that they can clearly see the extent of the damage.
The next step is to determine whether it’s better to repair the dent or replace the entire panel. The technician will check if the dent is badly kinked. If it has kinks that bend at an angle of more than 90 degrees, replacing the part is usually a better option. If the dent can be fixed, they’ll consider how long it’ll take to get the job done. Replacement is often more economical if it takes a lot of time and labor to fix the dent.
If the technician decides that repairing the dent is the way to go, they may use one of several tools or techniques to pull out the dent, such as a plier, hammer and dolly, stud welding, or a big suction cup. After pulling out the dent, they may have to apply a filler and hardener to smooth out the surface of the affected area. Then, the technician will sand the area and paint it with a matching color.
For dents that didn’t cause any paint damage, the paintless dent repair (PDR) process may be preferable. This process involves gaining access to the backside of the dented area through a window, a headlight or taillight, or small access holes in a door jamb. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove paneling from the inside of the car. Once they’re able to reach the dent, the technician will use metal rods to massage the metal until it returns to its original shape.
How Much Does Dent Removal Cost?
Basically, the larger or deeper the car dent, the more you can expect to pay to get it fixed. A small ding can cost you as little as $50, while a deep one can set you back about $125. If your vehicle has sustained a medium-sized or large dent after colliding with another vehicle or a pole, the repair cost should be $200 to $300. Generally, the price of removing a dent that doesn’t require painting is $50 to $120 per inch.
For a car dent that needs to be painted, you have to be prepared to pay an additional $200 to $500. If the paint damage is too severe and costs more than $1,000 to fix, you may be better off replacing the whole panel. The cost of replacement can vary depending on which part you need to change. Getting a new bumper can run $300 to $700, whereas a new door can cost you more than $1,000.
Why You Should Go to a Certified Auto Dealership for Dent Repair
When you’re looking for a place in Grand Forks to fix your car dent, it’s essential that you don’t sacrifice quality for price. Body shops that offer cheap prices may use below-par equipment, low-quality paints, and inadequately trained technicians to perform dent repairs. They can make a variety of mistakes that can ruin your car’s appearance, such as color mismatching, blotching, over-spraying, sagging or running paint, or inconsistent textures.
The best thing to do is to bring your vehicle to a reputable auto dealership that offers high-quality dent repair services. Such a dealership has a certified service center that complies with the stringent standards of the manufacturer it represents and uses the most advanced equipment for all kinds of auto repair procedures.
In addition, the service center has a team of factory-trained technicians who have extensive experience working on your make and model of vehicle. Therefore, they know how to use the right method to fix the type of dent you have and choose the paint color that perfectly matches your vehicle. If you need to replace a bumper or panel, a dealership can provide you with a genuine OEM part.
If you’re looking for top-notch dent repair services in Grand Forks, consider going to one of the Rydell dealerships, such as Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC, Rydell Cadillac, or Rydell Honda Nissan. Contact us today to make an appointment.
Connect with us
