How Do I Stop Car Dings in My Garage? (Gadgets & How-to-Fix)

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Cars are one of the costliest things we buy after our houses. This means most of us want to keep our cars looking good and new – scratches or dings would hurt. 

However, we may end up causing dings to our cars right where we store them – the garage. Is there a way to prevent this? How do I stop car dings in my garage?

To stop car dings in your garage, consider the following:

• Installing sensors and guides 
• Use a stop block or door bumper
• Install body-side molding

This article explores the best methods to stop car dings in the garage. We also look at how you can fix your own door dings. Finally, we answer common questions about car dings in garages. 

What Causes Car Door Dings?

Car door dings could be caused by a myriad of reasons, such as:

• Accidents
• Careless people, including children
• Runaway Shopping carts
• Bad parking and more.

Here’s the thing, car door dings suck. They cause our car to look less perfect and can be an eyesore. They can be caused by so many factors that it can be hard to list them all here.

But one of the major reasons car door dings happen is in your garage. You can park wrong, open the door too wide, or bump something into your car. 

Dings and dents can happen anywhere on your vehicle. And they are not usually your fault. Accidents happen, but we can try to prevent them. Fortunately, there are many ways to do that. 

How to Protect Car Doors in the Garage?

To protect car doors in the garage, you can use:

• Infrared or ultrasonic sensors
• Laser guidance systems
• Stop blocks
• Contact lights
• Pool noodles

The garage is one of the most frequent places we ding our car. Your car should be well protected if you have a system to prevent dings inside your garage. Consider any of the following to protect your car:

Infrared Sensors

Infrared sensors can be installed to aid in parking. They work similarly to garage door sensors. Sensors are set up to form a barrier, and an RF radio receiver is installed in the car. 

The receiver is powered by a cigarette lighter power port. It gives off a warning chime and red light till the car passes the pre-set barrier.

The chime stops once the car is in the right place and the warning light changes to green. The Logic XYZ’s Infrared Sensor is a good example you can install in your garage. 

Garage Parking Assistant – Park your vehicle precisely and consistently.

Laser Guide

Maxsa 37312 Park Right Dual Laser Parking Guide, Silver

Ultrasonic Sensor

An ultrasonic sensor emits an unhearable sound that bounces off your car back to the sensor. The sensor gives you visual aid with lights installed on the garage wall. 

This way, you will know when the car is in the right garage spot. The STKR Concept’s 00-246 Ultrasonic Sensor is an example you can install in your garage. 

STKR Concepts 00-246 Adjustable Garage Parking Sensor Aid, Dark Gray

Stop Block

A stop block works similarly to speed bumps. It is made from rubber, easy to install, and doesn’t require electricity. 

You just lay the bumps down where you want your car to stop. When parking, drive into the garage until your tires hit the bump and stop. Easy and simple.

When installing one, look for blocks with reflective stripes. This feature helps you to notice them better.

VaygWay Rubber Parking Curb Guide – Heavy Duty Car Parking Block – 2 Pack

Contact Light

A contact light is a movable and bending sign that helps you to park. When parking, you drive until the car bumper touches the section holding the light up. 

The light will start to flash to let you know that the car is in the right place. They bend so they don’t scratch your vehicle.

SECURITYMAN LED Stop Sign for Garage Parking Assist [Upgraded Base] – Large 7″ Sign, Bright Red LEDs, Adjustable Height – Garage Car Stop Indicator That Lights Up

Manual Visual Guide

If you want to keep things low-tech and simple, just have manual visual guides. For example, hang a tennis ball from your ceiling that touches the windscreen when the car is in the right spot. 

This is an easy and cheap way. However, it can be hard to see in low-light conditions. It is also inaccurate if the car needs to be exactly at the right spot. 

The modern upgrade to the old tennis ball trick is an electric ball with batteries. The ball lights up when it touches the windscreen.

Genie Yellow Perfect Stop Parking Aid – Retractable Ball Compatible with All Garage Door Openers-GPS-R, one Size

Door Guards and Protectors

Many stores sell door pads that you can screw into the wall or hang from ropes. They are rubber-like pads filled with soft materials that absorb impacts well. This prevents dings and scratches.

There are also plastic protectors that you can attach to the car door or edge strip that works just the same. Check the Most Popular Garage Wall Protectors at Amazon.

Body Side Molding

Body-side molding protects your doors and the side body of your vehicle. You can also install running boards or side steps. Check out Some Body-side Molding Kits for Your Vehicle Type at Amazon.

How Do I Stop Car Dings in My Garage?

You can do many things to stop car dings in your garage. You can usually use tools to help you park safely. You can also use protection to protect your car when coming into contact with something.

Here are some ideas you can consider:

• Park in the end cap parking spots. These spots are usually wider, so you can park closer to one side.
• Avoid parking next to big cars. They are wide and take up more space than regular-sized vehicles. Avoid also two-door cars. The doors are longer in them.
• Teach your kids to be careful when leaving the car in the garage or parking lot. So they don’t ding other cars.
• Use car door guard panels or body-side molding kits. Guard panels prevent ding in the garage. Body-side molding protects your car when parking outside or in the garage.
• A simple guard panel could be made using pool noodles; more later.
• Park next to small or expensive cars. Small cars don’t take up space. The owner of an expensive car is likely to take care not to hit your car with their own doors. 
• Avoid parking next to neglected cars and rust buckets. The owners might not care about your car either. They may ding your car and then drive away. 
• If you are outside, try parking away from other cars. You may need to walk more, but consider it a healthy exercise.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent dents or dings. But doing everything you can and using caution and common sense go a long way. 

How to Make Door Bumper With Pool Noodle

To make door bumpers with pool noodles, you:

1. Slide the pool noodle in half
2. Identify where the car door may get in touch with the wall.
3. Secure the pool noodle to the wall section.
4. Test to see if the pool noodle works.

Pool noodles are a fast, cheap, and easy way to protect your car doors from dings in the garage. They are surprisingly very effective too. 

You can create two types of pool noodle door bumper, wall-mounted or hanging. To make your own door bumper using pool noodles, prepare the following:

• Some pool noodles
• Double-sided foam tape 
• Screws or nails and eyelet hooks
• Box cutter or sharp knife
• Rope, broomstick 

Wall-Mounted Noodle

1. Slice the noodle in half with a box cutter.
2. Apply the foam tape to the two edges of half noodles.
3. Check where the car door hits the wall and mark the area.
4. Apply the noodle to the wall. 
5. If you don’t have the double-sided tape. You can also use a couple of screws or nails. 

Hanging Noodle

1. Put the broomstick through the noodle or noodles.
2. Use a couple of screws or eyelet hooks at both ends of the broomstick.
3. Apply rope to the screws.
4. Ensure the cars are in the garage, and pick a good place for the noodle between the cars.
5. Cut the ropes at the right length and apply them to the ceiling. Use screws or eyelet hooks at the appropriate place where they won’t be in the way of the garage door opener. 

Check the Most Popular Pool Noodles at Amazon

How Do I Fix a Small Ding in My Car?

To fix a small ding in your car, you can use:

• Heat and cold air
• Glue gun
• Sink plunger
• Dent puller

As much as you want to protect your car, things sometimes happen. Fortunately, these are issues you can actually try to fix yourself. There are some ways you can consider:

Interior Door Panel Adjustment

Detach the interior door panel. See if you can reach the area with a piece of wood, like a piece of a broomstick or similar. Place the wood over the dent and try to push or gently tap the wood with a hammer to pop the dent back into place. 

Start from the shallow part and work your way to the deeper part. You can also try another tool to hold the dent from the inside and tap the dent from the front. 

Heat and Cold Air

Use a hairdryer and a can of compressed air. Apply heat to the dented area for about 3 minutes, carefully moving the hairdryer evenly. 

Then immediately turn the can of air upside down and spray the area with cold air. The temperature change should pop the dent out. 

Glue Gun

You can try this method if the paint is ok and not chipped. Get a glue gun and some dowels. Clean the dented area. Put the glue in the dowel, press it on the dent, and let it dry for about 2 minutes. 

Pull the dent out and rinse and repeat. Clean the glue out so it doesn’t dry thoroughly. Don’t let the glue dry for over 8 minutes, as it might damage the paint. 

Sink Plunger

You can try using a sink plunger. Splash the plunger and the damaged area with water. Place the plunger over the dent and gently rock forwards and backward until the dent pops back. 

Dent Puller

Many places sell suction cup dent pullers that work just like sink plungers. Always check the instructions first on how to operate it. Work your way from pulling the dent’s edges first for more significant dents. Then slowly proceed toward the middle. 

Dent pullers only work on shallow dents, especially flat, flexible surfaces. Dent pullers also can help improve the appearance of dents but are not likely to create a perfect finish alone. 

These cup-style DIY dent pullers will not work on deep dents. Dents in areas of thick metal are very difficult to remove at home.

If You’re Interested in the Best Dent Pullers you Can Find Them on Amazon

How Do I Fix Chipped Paint On My Car?

You can fix chipped paint on your car using alcohol, polishing compound, and touch-up paint similar to your car. 

Chipped paint should be repaired fast so the metal underneath won’t start to rust. If the chipper area is small, you can try to fix it. 

To fix chipped paint, start by preparing the following:

• Denatured Alcohol
• Matches 
• Polishing compound
• Small can of primer
• Bottle of your car color touch-up paint (paid link)

Got it all ready? Now follow the steps below:

1. Clean the damaged area with soap and water and dry it with a cotton cloth.
2. Apply a little bit of polishing compound carefully to soften the paint edges. Please don’t overdo it. 
3. Wipe the area with the denatured alcohol with a clean cloth.
4. Apply the primer with the bottom of the match stick. Cover all the chipped areas and let it dry for about 30 min. 
5. When the primer is dry, put a small amount of touch-up paint over the primer. Use dabbing motion. 
6. A dab is a motion where you pat or apply something to a surface. You also use a small amount of material.
7. After applying the paint, let it dry for at least an hour. And then apply a second coat.
8. Wait a couple of days and gently apply a polishing compound to the edges of the painted area. 

How Do I Fix Paint Smears On My Car?

Paint smears can be removed using a clay bar, or a paint thinner. Be sure to be gentle to prevent further damages.

Paint smears are when your car panels pick up paint from another surface. This can happen if your car panels are rubbed into another vehicle’s panels. 

To remove paint smears:

1. Get a clay bar from the automotive shop or elsewhere.
2. Cut the clay into 3-4 pieces, so you have extra. If you drop one, get a fresh one so you don’t scratch the paint.
3. Clean the damaged area and allow it to dry.
4. Gently rub the clay over the smeared area.

You can also try using paint thinner if you don’t have clay. Use a clean cloth and gently wipe the area with a paint thinner to remove the smear. 

Clean the areas thoroughly to remove any chemical residue on your car door panel. They may cause damage to the paint and clear coat.

How Do I Fix Scratches On My Car?

You can fix scratches on your car using toothpaste, shoe polish, and nail polish. 

Scratches can happen through contact with other cars and items. If you drive in sandy areas, you will also have micro scratches. Scratches are often removable, provided they do not go past the clear coat.

Toothpaste

This only works on scratches that have not fully penetrated the clear coat of car paint.

1. Get a whitening toothpaste and clean the area beforehand and let it dry.
2. Use a soft, clean cloth and a small amount of toothpaste. Rub the toothpaste only to the scratched area using a circular motion. 
3. Once the scratches are removed, clean the area carefully. 

Shoe Polish

For this method, you’ll need shoe polish darker than your car paint and very fine sandpaper. Here’s how:

1. Wash and clean the area, and it dries.
2. Apply shoe polish to the scratched area spreading it out.
3. Use the sandpaper and very gently sand down the area. Please don’t overdo it by sanding down too much paint. 
4. Check the applied shoe polish and continue to sand carefully. Use a soft cloth to polish the area between and check the results. 

Nail Polish

Nail polish is a fantastic scratch remover, as it can restore clear coats well. To apply this method, choose a nail polish with a color close to your car. 

Use the same nail polish methods as toothpaste or shoe polish—clean, buff, and sand down the damaged area.

Apply nail polish evenly to cover up the scratches. If needed, apply another coat. 

FAQ

Do Running Boards Prevent Door Dings?

Yes, they can do a lot to protect your car doors. Running boards can protect against cars of regular height. Running boards or side steps are common with trucks or SUVs.

However, if you park next to another truck with the same height doors, running boards don’t work. 

Check Out Running Boards For Your Choice of Vehicle at Amazon

What to Do if You Scratch a Parked Car?

Don’t flee. Security cameras may have seen you, and this can lead to a hit-and-run charge. Most localities require you to leave a note or wait for the car’s owner.

Track down the owner or car you dinged. Wait a bit. If no one appears. Go to the shop and speak to customer service. Have the other vehicles’ information (make/model and color) paged over the speakers.

If you cannot contact the vehicle owner. Take lots of pictures of both cars and the dent. Be sure to include license plates. Take photos so the other person can’t charge you with further damage. 

Look for witnesses if possible. Get their contact information and write down what they see. 

Leave the message somewhere secure where it won’t get wet or blown away by the wind. 

Most localities require that your note include this information:

• Name
• Address
• Contact number
• Explanation of accident
• If you were driving someone else’s vehicle at the time, leave the name and address of the car’s owner as well.

When discussing, mutually decide if involving the insurance companies is the best solution. 

If the damage is severe, you can file a police report or ask a security guard to write an incident report.

What to Do if Someone Dings Your Car Door?

If the culprit car is still next to your vehicle. Take photos of the dent—both cars positioned to each other and license plates. Then wait for the car owner to return or ask the store staff to make an announcement to return the car. 

Look for witnesses if possible. Request for their contacts, and write down their description of what happened.

When the person returns to the car, be calm and ask for the insurance information and contact details. If they refuse, call the police and present the evidence. 

Collect this information:

• Name
• Address
• Contact number
• Explanation of accident
• Insurance company

Many states require you to call the police when your vehicle is involved in an accident. If there is any noticeable damage, you should contact the police.

Suppose you cannot contact the vehicle owner or the other car has left already. In this case, take many clear photos (with the date and time stamp). Document the damage, location, and the other vehicle if it’s still there. 

Then call your insurance company immediately and ask for advice. You can also call the police and file a police report. It’s handy when making an insurance claim. 

Should You Report a Door Ding or Dent to the Police?

Many insurance companies will tell you that you call the police and report the accident. This should help you to get your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs.

While reporting, request that the police file an official accident report.

Does Insurance Cover Parking Lot Dings?

Yes. If you have comprehensive collision auto insurance. Collision insurance covers the damage caused by a car accident. In contrast, comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by events outside your control. 

Your car insurance company will take care of the collision repair costs. Your property damage insurance will compensate for the parked vehicle’s damage. The collision coverage will cover your vehicle after you pay your deductible.

Do Insurance Companies Check Parking Lot Cameras?

Suppose your car is involved in a hit-and-run, and you cannot find the party who damaged your vehicle. In this case, look around for security cameras. 

Often businesses will have security cameras watching their parking lots. 

Parking lot surveillance cameras are common. Go into the store and ask the manager if they have any security camera footage you can check. 

Insurance companies can use video surveillance to contest liability. They also use it to challenge a victim’s claim.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Door Ding?

Repair costs for door dings can be hard to estimate. This is because many factors can decide on the final pricing. These include location, car model, and so on. 

However, the average dent repair cost in the US is around $125-$325. For more specific repairs, here are the commonly quoted prices:

Repair	Costs
Paintless dent repair	$50 – $150
Dents and dings indoor	$75 – $125
Multiple dings	$150 – $500
Large dent repair	$150 – $450
Hail damage repair	$2,500