It’s a frustrating fact of car ownership that vehicles can pick up dings and dents, whether from a stray supermarket trolley or a careless driver bumping into your pride and joy. Bodyshops and garages can certainly repair them, but not at a price everyone can afford.
Smaller dents may be nothing more than an eye sore, while larger dents can potentially become a weak spot for corrosion to take hold, especially if the dent has caused any paint to flake away.
Instead of leaving the blemish in place, though, how about fixing it yourself? There’s a wide range of dent removal kits available, packed with the same ‘tools of the trade’. Our experts reveal their favourites, plus what to look for in a dent repair kit.
The best dent repair tools
Best comprehensive offer
Pros
- Everything you need in one kit
- Two types of dent puller give plenty of options
Cons
- So many parts included, it might take time to find the right one
Best on a budget
Pros
- Strong and robust
- Easy to use
Cons
- No glue gun included
Best slide hammer dent removal kit
Pros
- Effective on dents
- Easy on paintwork
Cons
- Expensive
Best value slide hammer kit
Pros
- Effective on dents
- Good value for money
Cons
- Not the gentlest on paintwork
What to look for in a dent removal kit
What type of dent repair is required?
There are two main types of dent repair: glue pull and push from behind. Glue pull involves attaching a tool to the panel with a special adhesive and then using the tool to pull out the dent. The push-from-behind method involves tapping out the dent from behind using a hammer and specialist tools. This takes more time but is better for smaller, irregularly shaped dents.
How big is the dent?
Assess the size of the dent you want to fix before purchasing a kit. If it is a small car park ding, you might need a different dent repair tool than if you want to fix a larger area of damage.
How many parts are included in the kit?
The more parts that are included, the bigger the range of dents you’ll be able to repair. A word of warning though: sometimes it can be tricky to choose the right tool because you are almost spoiled for choice.
Is a glue gun included?
Some value-priced glue pull kits do not include a glue gun. This can save you money if you already have one – and lead to frustration if you do not.
Do you need to buy glue sticks and alcohol spray?
Sometimes, glue sticks are not included. You need the right type of glue stick for the dent removal tool to be effective – and 95 per cent alcohol spray will be useful when it comes to removing the dent pull tool.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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