Car accidents, no matter how minor, are never enjoyable. A fender bender is an inconvenience since it necessitates filing car insurance claims and ensuring your vehicle is in good working order.
And, sadly, it might not be over once you leave.
A fender bender, despite its insignificance, can cause further significant damages if they are not handled. Fortunately, once you are informed on what you ought to do, it will be straightforward to properly deal with one .
We'll go through the question, “what's a fender bender?” and what to do in the event of one.
What’s a Fender Bender?
A fender bender is a minor collision involving two vehicles. What defines a minor fender bender is relative. However, it often includes being rear-ended at moderate speeds, being bumped by a distracted driver, or softly tapping into a car while parking.
Other electrical components, such as airbag deployment, your car's head, tail, and brake lights, and battery connectivity, might be damaged by fender-benders. If you've just been in a fender-bender and your car's battery has suddenly died, the battery's wiring has most likely been knocked free in the crash.
Here are some of the causes of fender benders.
When a driver suddenly stops or breaks and gets rear-ended, an accident occurs.
When a driver pulls out of a parking spot, colliding with the automobile in front of them.
When a distracted driver collides with a moving or parked vehicle.
NSC reports that most parking lot accidents occur because drivers are usually distracted.
It is crucial to understand how to deal with a fender bender, irrespective of its cause. As a result, all drivers involved can take the required precautions to mitigate the consequences of the accident.
Steps to Completely Remove Fender Bender Damages
Avoid driving distractions, maintain a tight watch on the road at all times, and park your vehicle in a safe area to lower your risk of a fender collision.
However, even if you take all the precautions, a fender collision can happen to anyone at any moment. And when it does, these tips will help you restore your car to near pristine condition or as it were before the accident occurred.
1.Utilize a Suction Cup
A suction cup can help you remove a shallow concave dent. Clean the affected area before squeezing a suction cup into it. Pull the dent straight out until it pops. Tap the dent from the inner side with the rubber hammer or a leather bag filled with buckshot while pulling.
However, a suction cup may not be able to aid with a complex dent or crease.
2. Fix with Hot Water
Dent removal is made easier by the elastic nature of plastic. Boil a kettle of water and pour it over the injured area to soften the plastic. Push the ding out from behind the bumper cover.
This is moderately successful, even on deep dents. However, since the plastic has already been bent, it may not result in a faultless appearance.
3. Using Compressed Air and a Hairdryer
Repairing a fender bender can also be made easy by using hot and cold air. Hairdryers are probably better suited to salons than garages, but with the appropriate approach, you may save money on bodywork repairs.
Heat the section with the dent using a hairdryer, then use compressed air to freeze it. The heat will expand the region while the cold will contract it, pulling the dent out.
This procedure works well on shallow dents in plastic parts but it is unlikely to work on metal. You can use a heat gun instead of a hairdryer.
4. Use Glue and Pulling Handles
Sticking wooden dowels to a dent with hot glue is a viable DIY repair solution. You can tug on different parts of the dent with the dowels. However, you should be patient and wait for the adhesive to be fully set.
Then, to dislodge the dowel, pull it straight at an angle. To make the removal task easier, soften the adhesive using a hairdryer.
5. Consult a Professional
Consulting an auto body repair professional who is specifically skilled for the work may be the most effective approach of all.
Fender bender repair can be divided into three categories:
Pulling — A professional may use these kits that function by gluing tabs to the dent and pulling.
Tapping - Metal pens are helpful in certain kits to tap the dent out of your bodywork. They usually come with a variety of heads that can repair various types of damage.
Pushing dents outwards from the back of a panel – An auto body repair specialist might also use tools designed to push dents outwards from the back of a panel. Different-sized rods are typically included in the kits.
Body Filler - A specialist might use body filler to restore the original shape of intricate dents and wrinkles for complex creases or dents.
Should I Fix a Fender Bender on My Own?
The choice to fix a dent on your own is based on several factors.
Damage severity - Minor fender benders should be easy to repair, but more significant damage will almost certainly necessitate the assistance of a professional.
Budget - Bodywork specialists' charges vary substantially. If you find the costs are too expensive for you, you can consider repairing the dents with your DIY kits.
Skills required - Even the most straightforward repair task can seem impossible if you're not confident in your ability to do so, in which case you should seek professional assistance.
Time — Obtaining all of the necessary tools and supplies is expensive and might take a long time, especially if you are looking for the lowest priced. That's before you've even begun to learn how to make a high-quality repair.
How Much Do Fender Benders Cost?
Although the damage may seem minimal at first glance, the restoration cost might be relatively high. Depending on the conditions, the estimate could range from $2500 to $10,000.
The cost will be determined by the extent of the damage and the number of areas affected.
Typically, a fender bender occurs near the front or rear bumpers or corner panels. When two vehicles of similar size meet, the damage is likely less than when a small car collides with a truck or SUV.
If the crash happened at the right angle, the lights and hood could be damaged, considerably increasing the costs. Damage to the underlying structure, such as a bent, frame, or rust, can further increase costs.
How to Avoid a Fender Bender
Defensive driving is essential, especially if you want to avoid a fender accident. While driving, turn off your cell phone.
Additionally, pay close attention to road signage. Avoid tailgating and maintain a safe following distance from all other vehicles. Ideally, you should maintain a 3-second following distance from all other cars.
Drive carefully and cautiously in the rain, snow, and other severe weather conditions.
Along with the advice above, you should have your car regularly inspected by a competent auto repair. They can detect any mechanical issues with your vehicle that could otherwise wreak havoc.
Consider Professional Help Today!
Once you are done with the DIY repair techniques, you might see that pulling fender bender dents doesn't always result in a pristine-like appearance, and that's not what everyone wants.
Consult us today for quality fender bender removal services, and get your car looking brand new.