--- title: "Forget Car Detailing Videos, I’m All About Paintless Dent Removal Now" date: "2025-01-06" modified: "2025-01-06" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/forget-car-detailing-videos-im-all-about-paintless-dent-removal-now" categories: - "News" --- # Forget Car Detailing Videos, I’m All About Paintless Dent Removal Now ![]() *Elevation Dent Co. Instagram* Paintless dent removal videos typically aren't as fun as [detailing videos](). They lack that instant gratification of watching grime get methodically blasted off by a power washer. However, Johnathan Hatfield from [Elevation Dent Co.]() makes it worth watching by explaining what the tools do and how effectively they fix even the gnarliest (and the subtlest) of dents. Bigger dents seem to be easier. He glues plastic cams to the dent, with some sort of autobody adhesive that doesn't damage the paint and comes off fairly easily using rubbing alcohol, and then uses a pulley system to pull the dents out. It's super satisfying to watch these simply pop out. But after the big dents are pulled out, there are always a number of smaller dents that need working. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6maeske96Qc https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q-euvSYO1LQ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F3fkJ7pTs1c An arsenal of tools is used to fix the smaller dents and they're the ones that require so much patience. My ADHD-riddled brain could never handle it. Some of the tools are pointy, some are blunt, and some are rounded, but all of them seem to massage the dent from the backside (It's OK, I snickered, too). There are some dent-specific hammers and gentle tapping involved (Yep, keep snickering) but smaller dents are mostly fixed from behind. Modern car design is so complex, though, that removing dents often requires different approaches for the same dent, as the dent will span several different body lines and shapes. However, it's possible to completely fix even the most complex dents, making cars look like new again, without having to repaint or replace body panels. Interestingly, many of these videos also come with completion times and costs so you can get an idea of how much it might cost, and how long it would take, to fix your own dent, giving you some reference if you decide to get a quote from your own local shop. Nothing will beat the satisfaction of watching an old, dirty car get its first detail in years but I might be coming around on these [dent removal]() videos, too. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()