A growing number of viral TikTok videos is raising serious concerns amongst automotive professionals.
The videos show car owners using seemingly simple DIY ‘hacks’ for removing car dents, often involving hot water, plungers and even bare hands, While these trends may appear to offer quick and cheap fixes, experts caution that attempting such repairs can lead to costly and irreparable damage to vehicles.
The hashtag #CarHacks has racked up 114,600 posts on TikTok alone. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are rife with content demonstrating individuals pouring hot water over dents, then attempting to pull them out with plungers or push them from behind.
On TikTok there are currently thousands of these videos of amateurs attempting to fix car dents to save money. Proponents of these methods claim success, attributing it to the malleability of metal when heated. However, professional body repair specialists are sounding the alarm, emphasising the significant risks involved.
One of the videos shows a woman pouring boiling hot water from a pan onto the floor, near her own bare legs, whilst another similar video shows a man pouring boiling water from a kettle onto the car, splashing onto his feet in just socks and sandals. Another video displays hot glue sticks being attached to a car to pull out a deep corner dent.
Tim Alcock, Sales and Marketing Director at LeaseCar has commented on the trend to warn car owners of the risks involved, “While it’s true that heat can make metal more pliable, the temperatures and techniques being used in these TikTok videos are completely uncontrolled and often inappropriate for automotive finishes and underlying structures. Consumers are risking far more than just a persistent dent, they could be causing extensive damage that costs significantly more to repair than a professional dent removal would have in the first place.”
So, why are these DIY TikTok dent removal hacks such a bad idea? Tim explained, “First off, there’s the paint damage. You’re pouring hot water on your car, right? If that heat is too extreme or uneven, you’re looking at blistered, cracked, or discoloured paint. Suddenly, that small dent repair turns into a full-blown repaint trust me, that’s way more complex and expensive than just fixing a dent.
“Then there’s the clear coat. That’s the shiny protective layer on your car. Rapid temperature changes can make that clear coat actually separate from the paint beneath it. The result? A dull, peeling mess that looks far worse than the original dent ever did.
“There’s also the metal itself. When you’re pushing and pulling with plungers or your bare hands, you’re applying uncontrolled force. You can easily stretch the metal beyond its limits, creating ripples and warping. This doesn’t just look bad; it can actually weaken the panel’s structure. At that point, even a professional might struggle to get a flawless finish, or it could be impossible. That seemingly simple dent on the surface might also be hiding more significant structural damage underneath that you can’t see. Trying to fix it yourself could make that hidden problem even worse, compromising your car’s safety.”
He went on, “There’s also the risk of water damage to consider. You’re using hot water, often around seams and openings. That water can easily get into your car’s electronics or interior, leading to expensive electrical failures, or even worse, mould and mildew. Nobody wants a car that smells like a damp basement. Ultimately, these TikTok trends are a gamble with high stakes for your vehicle. What looks like a quick fix can easily turn into a much larger, more expensive headache.
“We strongly advise against attempting DIY dent removal based on social media trends. For any car damage, no matter how minor it appears, it is always recommended to consult with a qualified and certified auto body repair shop. Professionals have the specialised tools, knowledge to assess the damage accurately and perform repairs safely and effectively, preserving the vehicle’s aesthetics, structural integrity and value.”
