How to Fix a Dent on Your Vehicle

That small dent on your fender? It doesn’t have to stay there. Whether it came from a runaway shopping cart or a rogue hockey puck, minor dents can often be fixed at home—with the right tools and a little know-how. Here’s how to bring your panel back to smooth.

What You’ll Need:

• Clean rags
• Wax and grease remover
• Dent puller (suction or glue-pull type)
• Sandpaper (80, 180, 220 grit)
• Body filler
• Spreader or plastic applicator
• Primer
• Colour-matched paint
• Clearcoat (optional)

Step 1:

Clean the Area

Start by washing the dented area with soap and water and wiping it down with grease and wax remover. Dry the grease and wax remover with a clean, white rag.  You want a clean surface so your tools and filler will adhere properly.

Step 2:

Try Pulling the Dent

For shallow dents with no paint damage, a suction-based dent puller might be all you need. Attach it to the dent and pull slowly, checking progress between pulls. If the dent is deeper or on a flexible panel, a glue-pull kit may offer more control.

If the dent pops out and you’re happy with the shape—great! You may only need some polishing. If not, continue to repair the area with body filler.

Step 3:

Sand and Fill

Use 80-grit sandpaper to rough up the area and remove paint around the dent. Wipe the area with a tack cloth then apply a thin layer of body filler using a spreader. Let it cure fully, then sand smooth with progressively finer grits until the surface blends with the surrounding area. The final sand should be 240-320 grit sand paper.

Step 4:

Prime and Paint

Apply a primer in medium even coats with approximately 30 minutes between coats.  Allow it to dry for at least 12 hours.  Sand the primer with P500-P600 sandpaper then blow off the surface and tack with a tack cloth.  Apply your colour-matched automotive paint in 2–3 light coats leaving approximately 30 minutes between coats. Follow with a clearcoat if your vehicle was painted with basecoat/clearcoat from the factory.

Pro tip: Blend the paint slightly into the surrounding area for a less visible repair.

Step 5:

Polish to Finish (Optional)

Once the paint is fully cured, after 30 days, you can gently polish the area to help blend the finish with the rest of your vehicle. This step isn’t necessary for every repair but can help create a smoother look.

Final Thoughts

Fixing a dent is all about taking your time and completing each step properly. Rushing through filler or skipping sanding will show in the final result—so stick with it and you’ll be surprised how good it can look.

Everything You Need—All in One Place

Autohome carries body fillers, sanding blocks, dent repair kits, primers, and custom-matched paints—plus helpful advice from folks who’ve done it themselves. Whether you’re trying to clean up your ride or just learn a new skill, we’re here to help make your project a success.