Looking for advice on a hood dent.

[zuper8]

Can anyone help my poor car's dented face? It's really a bummer. I know the car is not perfect but man, right in the kisser.... I don't even know how it could have happened, I always back into my spot and work and there's nothing in front of the car where I park at home.

I want to try and make it look a bit better, and before I start hitting stuff I wanted to get some advice. This is a lot trickier than the door dent I removed once. Was planning on putting a wood block behind it and tapping around it with a plastic mallet. The body shop just said "new hood" because it's a double panel piece. But still... I dunno, it looks possible to me.

[crash93ssei]

I don't see how trying would hurt anything there, seems like worst case scenario you still end up needing a new hood so might as well give it a shot. Not sure if you could get to all of the dent, but try to use something more rounded to get it if possible.

[ga93sle]

I agree with Ryan, if they say you need a new hood anyway, might as well give it a shot.

[zuper8]

but strategy-wise.. so use something rounded, like those body mandrels you can get at the parts store maybe. should I hit it around the dent to lift it up or hit it directly on the crease? I have a large plastic mallet and a rubber mallet, which would be better?

[ga93sle]

I guess I've never really tried anything like this before, but I'd think if you took the grille off and hit it from underneath? Plastic mallet maybe...?

[harofreak00]

Since the hood is already messed up, I would use a sawzall and cut away the underside layer to give you complete access to pound it out. Cut a flap so that you can fold it back and tack weld it again.

[Sirius]

That's what I was thinkin'. You need to get to the back side to be able to knock that dent out. Maybe use a Dremel with a cutting wheel (or something similar) to gain access to the back side of the hood skin.

To knock out the dent I wonder if you could use a large bag of damp sand (you need something with some mass) on the finished side and tap the dent out from the underside with a steel hammer (preferably a body hammer)?

[zuper8]

Hmm, great ideas. I don't have anything to cut the layer underneath, but I'll see what I can do this weekend. I was kind of hoping the body guy was being pessimistic, but looks like I have nothing to lose. Thanks for the tips! I'll post after pics if the results aren't too embarrassing!

[MrT]

For dents that I had back side access to, I have used wood blocks and various types of hammers. With wood, you can shape it as needed, looks like you can start with a section of 2x3 or 2x4. With this technique, I used mostly metal hammers. I would start with a 16oz or 20oz hammer and finished with a smaller tack hammer, about 8oz.

I had good luck with this method, fixed many dents this way. And like all have said, if this does not work time for a new hood.

Good luck,

Steven

[RJolly87]

If you always back in, the nose is exposed, and was probably hit by someone backing out across the way. Be on the lookout for something that would have hit it. Also some states cover this under uninsured motorist (hit and run) but would need a police report. Check with your insurance carrier for more specific details.

[00Beast]

I'd try the dry ice trick if you can find some (Grocery stores usually get food packaged with it, good place to look). Basically you heat up the outside of the dent and apply the dry ice to it, and it makes the metal constrict and want to return to its original shape. Worth googling.

[ga93sle]

I'd try the dry ice trick if you can find some (Grocery stores usually get food packaged with it, good place to look). Basically you heat up the outside of the dent and apply the dry ice to it, and it makes the metal constrict and want to return to its original shape. Worth googling.

Might be tough since it's a double panel and so thick, but I'd definitely be interested in the results...

[Evilcowboy420]

I'd try the dry ice trick if you can find some (Grocery stores usually get food packaged with it, good place to look). Basically you heat up the outside of the dent and apply the dry ice to it, and it makes the metal constrict and want to return to its original shape. Worth googling.

Of all the dents I have seen and body work done this method is the best one for hard dents however if getting the dry ice into the space is a problem there is an alternative with the same idea in mind.

So go grab a heat gun and heat the metal as suggested then grab a can of compressed air (the kind you spray computers with) and spray immediately after. I have seen a few dents pulled out this way even some with creases that people didn't think was possible.

Oh and hold the can upside down so the liquid comes out. Just keep at it and it should pop out.

Easier but not preferred method.

Rough up the surface, fill the dent with bondo, sand flat, use perfect match for your cars paint code to spray it.

And finally the all time easiest fix for it. I learned this from an 18 year old kid. Grab the biggest and gaudiest sticker you can find, preferably one with a catchy slogan like "Thats what she said" or the classic "NOS" and place it over the dent. And also enjoy the 50 extra HP it gives instantly. lol

Final method when all else fails find a hood at the junk yard and pull it with matching paint on it. Shouldn't cost over 50 bucks and about 5 minutes of your time to unbolt it.

[crash93ssei]

Heat and dry ice will not work on this dent, it does not work for sharp creased dents like this.