When your garage door is in good operating order, you don’t give it a second thought. You find yourself thinking about it a lot more when it’s dented. Dents are unsightly and bothersome, so we’ll go through a few options for repairing a dented garage door today.
Find Out How Much Damage There Is
Garage doors, while generally strong, are located in a high-traffic area—literally. Accidental automobile collisions frequently result in dent formation. Another reason your garage door can have a ding or two is storm damage.
You must first determine the amount of the damage before beginning repairs. The first thing you should do is check to see if the door still opens and closes. You’re in luck if it does. It shouldn’t take long for the repairs to be completed.
If it doesn’t, you should seek expert help. It’s possible that individual panels or the entire door will need to be replaced.
How to Fix a Dent in a Garage Door in Four Easy Steps
When it comes to repairing a ding in your garage door, you have a few alternatives. Which option is ideal for you depends on the amount of damage and the material of your door.
1. Mallet
A mallet is one of the simplest ways to repair a dent in a garage door. Aluminum doors, which are generally highly bendable, work well with this alternative.
You’ll need the following items:
- Cleaning supplies are required.
- A mallet, to be precise.
- A wooden block.
- A fine-grit sandpaper is required (for deep dents).
- Filler for automobiles (for deep dents).
- Paint that goes with the door (optional).
Make sure the dented area is clean. Water and soap will suffice. Move to the side of the door opposite the dent once that’s done. Place the wood block over the bumped-out portion and tap it with the hammer until the area surrounding it is even.
Deep dents and scrapes may necessitate further labor to completely fix.
2. Suction Cups
Steel garage doors, like cars, can be repaired with suction cups. If you want to get the correct instrument for the job, look online or ask for a “suction cup dent puller.”
Suction cups function best on level surfaces with a tight seal. Large, deep, or angled dents will be more difficult to remove with a suction cup.
Suction cups are a quick and straightforward remedy if you don’t have any other tools on hand. Simply place the suction cup and pull, similar to how you would with a plunger.
3. Dent Repair for Aluminum
Mallets and suction cups are two methods for repairing dents in garage doors. When it comes to your other repair alternatives, the material your garage door is composed of will make a major difference.
Aluminum doors are the easiest to fix due to their flexibility. Heat can also be used, as shown in the video below. You’ll need the following items to do so:
- A bucket of water is required.
- Dish soap is required.
- A lighter, to be precise.
- Foil is made of aluminum.
- A pressurized air can.
Are you starting to feel like MacGyver? It’s worth a shot.
4. Dent Removal in Steel
Steel garage doors are more durable, but they’re also more difficult to repair if they’re damaged. If the suction cup method fails or you don’t have the necessary tools, the best option is to fill the dent with an auto body filling compound.
After cleaning and sanding the area, spread the compound over the dent with a putty knife or any similar tool. Rather than one thick coating, do so in multiple thin layers. After the last coat has dried, sand the compound down until the filler is flush with the surrounding area.
When you employ this procedure, you’ll have to repaint the sanded area of your garage door, but the results are good.
Although the man in the video is working on a standard door rather than a garage door, the premise is the same. When working with hazardous substances and particle debris, always wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
You don’t have to live with dents or replace your entire garage door. You may either repair the dents yourself or get a professional to fix your garage door for you using one of the options we’ve discussed today.
Remember:
- Determine the amount of your garage door damage. If you’re not confident in your ability to fix anything, get an expert.
- Knowing whether your garage door is made of steel or aluminum will affect the alternatives you have for repairing it.
- Use the appropriate tools and safety gear for the work.
