Home/Dent repair
Ericraft Bodyshop, Smallfield
Dent repair near Horley, Crawley and Gatwick
Shopping trolleys, car doors, stray footballs. Most dents can be put right without a new panel.
We remove dents from cars and light vans. Where the paint is unbroken we can often work the metal back without repainting; deeper or creased dents are filled and sprayed. Send a photo for a free price.
A dent is metal that has been pushed out of shape. How we fix it depends on the dent.
If the paint is not cracked and the dent has no sharp crease, the panel can sometimes be worked back from behind. This is called paintless dent repair. It keeps your original paint, and it is often quicker.
If the paint is broken, the metal is creased, or the dent sits on a panel edge, we repair it the traditional way. That means pulling the metal as close as we can, filling the rest, sanding, priming and painting.
You can read more in dent repair options. For small areas of damage on paint and plastic, see SMART repair.
We cannot tell for certain from a photo which method will work. A photo gives us a good idea, and we will confirm when we see the car.
Who this suits
Anyone with a door ding, a trolley dent or a crease in a wing. We work on cars and light vans.
How it works
- Send photosA photo in good light from a slight angle shows a dent best. Add a close-up.
- We tell you the methodWe tell you if we think the dent can be worked out or needs filler and paint, and we give you a price.
- RepairWe work the metal back, or pull, fill and sand it.
- FinishIf the panel needs paint we match it and spray it. If not, we polish the area and you collect.
What it costs
We do not publish a price list, because every car and every dent is different. Send us photos on WhatsApp and we will give you a price. It is free, there is no obligation and no pressure.
Questions people ask
Can every dent be repaired without paint?
No. Paintless repair works best on dents where the paint is intact and there is no sharp crease. Dents on panel edges or with cracked paint usually need filler and paint.
How long will it take?
It depends on the dent and the panel. We give you a time when we have seen the damage, not before.
Do you repair hail dents?
Send us photos. A few shallow dents may be a small job, but many dents across a car is a bigger one, and we will price it honestly.
Is it better than replacing the panel?
Often, yes. A repaired panel keeps the car's own fit and finish. Replacement makes sense for severe damage.
Do you do van dents?
Yes. Details on our van bodywork page.
Get a quote with photos
Fill in a short form and add up to four photos. We will give you a price. It is free and there is no pressure.
Read before you book
Plain answers to the questions we hear most.
Paintless dent repair or filling and respraying?
Paintless dent repair works from behind the panel and keeps your original paint, so it suits smaller dents with unbroken paint.
Read the answer
Do I need a respray, or just a repair?
Most damage does not need a full respray.
Read the answerWhat should a car repair quote include?
A good written quote lists each panel or part, the labour, the paint, any parts to be fitted and VAT, and says what happens if more damage is found.
Read the answerWe work in these areas
Send us a photo and get a price
Take two or three photos of the damage and send them to us on WhatsApp. We will tell you what it needs and what it costs. It is free and there is no pressure.