Whether it's a dime-sized dent after a run-in with a wayward shopping cart or several dents from a recent hailstorm, dents and dings are the last thing you want to see on your pride and joy. The average dent can cost anywhere from $60 to $110 to remove, making a do-it-yourself solution a rather attractive proposition.

You might've heard about using dry ice in order to remove a dent, but you also might be wondering if it actually works. The following attempts to separate fact from fiction when it comes to this particular method of dent removal.

The Theory Behind Dry Ice Dent Removal

Metal is a surprisingly malleable material that can be worked into a wide variety of shapes. However, the sort of metalworking that gives car's fender or quarter panel its shapely appearance has to be done at relatively high temperatures. Most metals expand and soften when enough heat is applied to them and contract in the presence of cold temperatures.

The dry ice trick supposedly takes advantage of metal's malleability by using thermal expansion and thermal shock to bring the dented area back to its original shape. This is done by heating the dented area with a heat gun or hair dryer and then placing a piece of dry ice on the heated area.

In theory, steel and other metals have a small amount of "memory" that allows it to return to its original shape prior to deformation. The dry ice method simply uses this memory to help coax the metal back into shape.

Mixed Results

The ability to remove dents with dry ice looks promising in theory, but the actual practice leaves plenty to be desired:

• According to the Recon Master School of Dents, changes in automotive metallurgy have made the dry ice method less effective on newer vehicles than those made prior to the 1980s. Today's body panels are made with thinner metals, which are often difficult for DIYers to properly work back into shape.
• The dry ice method's success depends heavily on the type of dent being removed. Small, shallow dents may prove easier to remove with the dry ice method, but large, deep dents may be difficult or even impossible to remove effectively.

And then there's the problem with the dry ice itself. Applying dry ice directly to your car's bodywork could damage the paint finish, which could lead to expensive corrective work in addition to the dent removal. The Recon Master School of Dents recommends using the liquid refrigerant from compressed air cans to freeze the dent, as it won't do as much harm to the finish as dry ice would.

A Professional's Touch May Be Needed

In the end, the best way to remove a dent is to have a professional take care of the deed at an auto body shop like Central Ave Auto Body. A skilled auto body specialist has the tools and techniques to restore dented body panels back to their original shape without marring the paint finish.

One of the many methods used by auto body specialists is paintless dent removal (PDR). During the PDR process, technicians use a variety of specialized metal-shaping tools to essentially message the dented panel back to its original shape. Unlike suction or hot glue-based dent pulling methods, technicians work from behind the body panel, significantly reducing the likelihood of damage to the paint finish.

In summation, the dry ice process isn't exactly a myth, but it's not all that's cracked up to be, either. The dry ice process might be helpful for dealing with the smallest and shallowest of dents. However, professional dent removal techniques usually offer significantly better results when it comes to the complete restoration of dented body panels without any lingering damage.