The Best Car Dent Removal Tools
Back in the day, there was only one kind of dent removal tool. It was called a hammer and you used it to reach behind the fender, knock the dent out as best you could, cover the whole thing with putty, and then paint it. Of course, the result was less than satisfactory. These days, dent removal tools combine high tech principles to the same basic idea of the dent hammer. Now you can get precision dent removal and even dent removal that doesn't require new paint or other bodywork. So, whether you've got a minor fender-bender to repair or a major dent in your bumper, there's a dent removal tool that's right for you. Read on to discover our list of the best of the best.
FCHO Heavy Duty Aluminum Dent Puller
Suck It Out
There are dents and then there’s having your left fender totally smashed-in. For the latter, FCHO’s heavy-duty aluminum dent puller provides powerful torque to help get your fender back to normal. Featuring two, thick rubber suction cups on the end of a reinforced, cast-aluminum frame, FCHO allows you to get more pulling power across a greater length of the dent. It’s easy to apply: simply push the cups against the dent. Removal is easy as well: lift the suction handles and the unit lifts free. It also works great as a carrier for windows and other long sheets of glass.
Pros:
- Comfortable, ergonomic handle
- Won’t rust or corrode
- For smaller dents, you can use just one of the two suction cups
Cons:
- The surface area must be thoroughly cleaned first
- Works best on flat areas
Kaisiking Suction Cup Dent Puller
Give 'Em a Hand
One of the most popular designs of dent pullers is the single-handed suction cup and our preferred choice is Kaisiking. Kaisiking includes three dent pullers in their package, one large and two smaller units. They work in conjunction to pull out dents with a single tug. Made from strong ABS plastic, these units are designed to pull dents from both metal and plastic. The powerful suction cups secure tightly to surfaces by simply grasping and holding the two handles on the dent puller. The 2-cup method works especially well with dents that are long and deep, like those created by car bumpers.
Pros:
- Detailed instructions on body repair included
- Soft rubber pads won’t scratch the paint
- Also great for moving glass and windows
Cons:
- The smaller suction cups are hard to hold for big hands
- No carrying case included
Manelord Auto Body Repair Tool Kit
Everything You Need
Rather than using brute force, Manelord’s double-pole bridge dent puller is designed to create more focused and subtle torque on a dent. The kit includes a rugged steel double-pole bridge dent puller, five black puller tabs of various sizes, five matching blue dent puller tabs, two glue shovels, one empty bottle, and one cleaning cloth. It’s basically everything you need to fix dents up to 5.5 inches in size. If you’ve never used this design of dent puller before, don’t be intimidated. The kit includes detailed instructions on how to use the double-pole design and you may find it to be the best method available.
Pros:
- Also works great on appliances
- Best for more detailed dent repair
- Works on dents as deep as 22mm
Cons:
- Glue gun and glue sticks required but not included
- Not for use on metal surfaces over 1mm thick
Mookis Dent Removal Rods Set
Hot Rods
It’s not always easy to reach a dent that needs to be knocked out from behind and suction cups are too big for smaller dents and dings. Mookis makes these kinds of repairs easy with their dent removal rods. The kit comes with 10 rods ranging from 0.5 feet to almost 2.5 feet, each with differently-angled ends. This makes it easy to find at least one rod that can reach behind fenders, bumpers, and side panels to tap out the dent. The Mookis set also includes a rubber mallet, a tap down tool with two replaceable heads, and a long chain with three S-hooks.
Pros:
- Rods are stainless steel construction
- Durable vinyl storage bag included
- Ergonomic handles on all rods
Cons:
- A good kit to learn with, but not a technique for beginners
- Rods have flat heads, round heads but no whale tails
HiYi Paintless Dent Removal Kit
Forget The Paint
If you’re trying to remove small dents from your car while avoiding the need for touch-up paint, HiYi’s dent removal kit provides a simple and easy-to-use solution. The kit features a rubber-tipped mallet along with a hand tool with nine removable heads. Each head is shaped differently to give you nine convenient ways to tap-out your dents. Though the plastic tips are hard enough to work on metal fenders or plastic bumpers, they’re soft enough to remove dents without chipping the paint. It takes a steady hand and a light touch, but HiYi’s system is extremely effective for repairing smaller dents.
Pros:
- A perfect starter kit for detailed dent repair
- The aluminum mallet handle is durable and easy to grip
- Tips can also be screwed directly into the mallet
Cons:
- Must have access to the backside of the dent
- No holding case for small pieces
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m having trouble with my dent puller on my plastic bumper. What else can I try?
Dents in plastic may need a different treatment. Try the hot water method: Pour hot water over the dent, then reach under the wheel well and pop the dent out. The heat causes the plastic to expand and become flexible, making it easier to pop it back into place. Once the dent is repaired, pour cold water over the area to shrink the plastic back into its original form. You can also try this method in conjunction with your dent puller for the best effect.
Is there some trick to removing dents with a suction cup dent puller?
There’s no trick, but the method requires a bit of practice and patience. Place the dent puller so that the center of the suction cup is in the middle of the dent. Then, press the puller into the dent with enough pressure to secure the suction cup flat against the dent. Push the handles together (or press down the suction lever) to lock the dent puller in place, then pull the unit with slow but even force, making sure not to twist the suction cup as you pull.
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