A bent garage door panel can often be fixed without needing to replace the entire door. In this article, we will discuss five ways to fix a bent garage door panel, as well as the costs and time necessary for each method. We will also explore whether or not a damaged wood or fiberglass door can be fixed.
Can a Bent Garage Door Panel Be Fixed?
Yes, a bent garage door panel can be fixed. The most common way to fix a bent garage door panel is to use a metal rod or soft hammer to push the dent out from the inside of the panel.
You can also try using suction cups to suck out the dent from the outside of the panel.
Another option is to use a heat gun to soften the metal and then reshape it. However, if there is too much damage, you may need to replace the entire panel.
5 Ways to Fix a Bent Garage Door Panel
Use a Hammer to Repair the Bend
One of the simplest ways to fix a bent garage door panel is to use a hammer. Start by placing a piece of wood in the center of the bend. Next, use a soft-faced hammer to tap on the wood until the dent pops out.
If the dent pops out, stop there then sand and repaint or refinish the area as necessary. If the dent does not pop out, continue tapping until it does.
Get Rid of The Bend with Suction Cups
If you don’t have a hammer or if the previous method did not work, you can try using suction cups.
This works best for small dents in metal doors.
To do this, first, wet the area around the dent. Next, place the suction cups on the dent and apply suction. Finally, pull the suction cups away from the door to remove the dent.
Apply Heat to Fix the Bend
Another way to fix a bent garage door panel is to use a heat gun. This method only works for aluminum or steel doors.
It operates on the idea that metal will tend to go back to its Heating the metal sometimes allows you to use one of the other techniques (e.g. hammer or suction cups) to pull the bend better out.
The idea that you can quickly heat then cool metal with compressed air is a myth that has been disproven by several sources (source 1, source 2)
Use Auto Body Filler for Small Dents
For minor dents, you can also use auto body filler. This is a two-part epoxy that is mixed together and then spread over the area of the dent.
Once it dries, it can be sanded down and painted to match the rest of the door.
Only do this for shallow dents that don’t affect the opening or closing of the door.
When All Else Fails Get a New Panel
If the previous methods do not work, you may need to replace the entire panel. This is especially true for wood or fiberglass doors that have been damaged where you simply can’t bend them back into place.
To do this, first, measure the old panel to get the dimensions of the new one. Next, go to a home improvement store or order the panel online.
Finally, install the new panel following the instructions that come with it.
It’s a pretty involved process and if it gets to this point you might want to call a professional. Watch the video below to see it in action and see if you’re up for the task.
How Much Do New Panels Cost?
The cost of a new panel will depend on the material, size, and brand. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $200 for a new panel.
When Should You Replace the Entire Door?
Sometimes it is simply impossible to fix a bent garage door panel and the entire door needs to be replaced.
This is most common with wood or fiberglass doors that have been severely damaged. It’s also common when the door is very old and parts are no longer available.
If you’re not sure whether or not you should replace the entire door, it’s best to consult with a professional. They will be able to assess the damage and give you the best course of action.
Replacing a garage door is not a cheap project. A standard 16-foot by 7-foot door will cost between $700 and $1,400.
This does not include the cost of the installation which can be anywhere from $200 to $600. So, if your door isn’t badly damaged and you can either repair the bend yourself or just live with it, it’s probably best to do that.
Why and How to Use Steel or Wood Struts to Reinforce Your Repaired Panel
Once you have the dent repaired, you will want to reinforce the area to prevent it from happening again. The best way to do this is with steel or wood struts.
You can find these at any home improvement store or online. They come in different sizes so you will need to measure the length and width of the panel to get the right size.
Once you have the struts, you will need to drill holes in the panel and screw them in place. This will help to keep the panel from denting again in the future.
You can find a full tutorial on how to do this here.
How Much Does It Cost a Professional to Repair a Bent Panel?
If you decide to hire a professional to repair your bent garage door panel, you can expect to pay between $75 and $150.
This does not include the cost of the new panel or any reinforcements that may be needed.
How Long Does It Take to Repair a Bent Panel?
The time it takes to repair a bent garage door panel will depend on the severity of the damage.
For small dents, you can expect the job to take about an hour. For more severe damage, it could take several hours or even a full day.
Can You Fix a Damaged Wood or Fiberglass Door?
Those are the two most common types of doors, and both can be damaged relatively easily. Wooden doors can suffer from gouges, chips, and cracks, while fiberglass doors can become scratched or dented. In either case, the damage doesn’t have to be severe to affect the door’s appearance or functionality.
Before you attempt to fix the door yourself, it’s important to assess the damage and determine whether it can be repaired or if you need to replace the door altogether. With minor chips and scratches, you may be able to touch up the door with some paint or filler.
More significant damage will require more work, and in some cases, it may not be possible to repair the door without replacing it.
If you have a wood door that is severely damaged, you may be able to replace individual panels rather than the entire door. This is usually only possible if the frame is still in good condition.
With fiberglass doors, however, it’s usually necessary to replace the panel or entire door if there is significant damage. That’s because a fiberglass door has a steel core with a fiberglass coating making it much stronger and more dent resistant than metal-only doors. This also means that they are much more difficult to repair if you do manage to dent them.
What Happens if I Can’t Quickly Repair a Bend and My Garage Door Won’t Close?
If you can’t quickly repair a bend and your garage door won’t close, you can get a helper to try and manually close the door. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to call a professional for an emergency garage door repair service.
Conclusion
A bent garage door panel is not the end of the world, but it can be a pain to deal with. In most cases, you will be able to repair the damage yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
The most important thing is to reinforce the area so that it doesn’t happen again in the future.