How To Fix A Caved In Car Roof [5 Ideas To Try]

It is vital to understand how to fix a caved-in car roof properly to ensure the job is successful. Would you like to know how to fix a caved-in car roof? Well, we have researched this question and have answers for you.

If your car's roof is dented, there are plenty of ways to fix it. A few of our top ideas include:

  • The plunger method
  • The rubber mallet method
  • The hot parking lot method
  • The dry ice method
  • Professional assistance

In this article, we will cover how to fix a caved-in car roof. We will also discuss other related questions, such as how much it costs to repair car roof dents and how strong a car roof should be? Keep reading to learn more.

Red car parked on the side of the road with a scenic background, How To Fix A Caved In Car Roof [5 Ideas To Try]

How To Fix A Caved In Car Roof

If you need a way to fix a caved-in car roof, you have many options. However, each method of fixing a caved-in roof has advantages and disadvantages.

Some of these methods will work for some caved-in car roofs while others will not. Whether a technique works or not will depend on the extent of the damage.

Try different methods until you find one that works. If no method works or the car pops back into place and the roof has substantial damage, you should take your vehicle to a professional.

Professionals have the tools needed to perform bodywork correctly. If you attempt to perform bodywork on your vehicle without experience, you will likely damage your car resulting in the need for expensive repairs.

Now, let's look at the different methods for fixing a caved-in car roof.

The Plunger Method

A plunger on the side of the room

The plunger method is one of the original dent removal methods on car roofs and appliances.

To utilize the plunger method, all you need is a plunger. A plunger with a high-quality firm grip will work better than a weak dollar tree plunger.

Once you have found your plunger, begin by pressing and attaching the plunger to the center of the dent. Press up and down gently several times to pump the air out of the plunger's head, increasing the suction and strength of the plunger's grip.

Now that the plunger is firmly attached to the car's roof, you can un-cave the top. Grip the plunger tight in both hands and pull up firmly in one steady motion. You may need to try this a few times to get the roof back into place.

Once the roof has popped back into place, you can assess if it needs additional bodywork. Sometimes, when a caved-in roof is fixed, it still has dents, and professionals can remove them at a body shop.

The Rubber Mallet Method

A rubber mallet on a white background

For this idea, you will need a rubber mallet. A standard-sized rubber mallet will work well, but practically any sized mallet will work. Start by locating the center of the caved-in part of the roof. This will be where you will want to start popping back into place.

Hit the center of the dent hard enough to pop all or most of it back into place. Then from the center outward, use the rubber mallet to tap the roof back into place.

Only hit the roof hard enough to pop dents back into place. Don't hit the roof so hard that you dent it back the other way.

To accurately hit the location on your roof, you may find it helpful to use a wood dowel. Place the dowel where you want the force of the mallet to hit and tap the mallet against the back of the dowl.

You may want to place a washcloth at the end of the dowel to soften the impact area and reduce damage to your car's interior.

Once most of the roof has been tapped, you are finished. See an expert if there are any sharp dents in the metal you can't remove with a rubber mallet.

The Hot Parking Lot Method

Cars parked diagonally

The following method of fixing a caved-in roof only needs a hot parking lot, so this will not work in cold or cloudy weather.

Furthermore, this idea relies on how metal expands when heated. If the metal can expand enough, the roof may pop back.

Find a hot parking lot and park your vehicle there. You now only need to wait. This method can take a few minutes to a few hours to work, so be patient.

Do not sit in your vehicle while it sits in the hot parking lot. Doing so can be very dangerous and put your life in danger.

If, after three hours, your vehicle's roof has not popped back into place, then it is likely that this will not work for your roof.

Of course, even if you notice a slight improvement, your dents may need to be removed by professionals at a body shop instead.

The Dry Ice Method

Dry ice on a dark background

Another way to fix a caved-in car roof is to use dry ice. Like how the hot parking lot method used temperature to pop the roof back into place, the dry ice method uses the extreme cold of dry ice to contract the metal on the roof and pop it back into place.

However, this idea isn't always 100% effective. You may still need to contact a professional to care for your roof, so keep that in mind.

Take a hand full of dry ice in a glove and press it to the center of your caved-in roof. Begin to slide the ice across the top of your roof in a circular motion so that a large area of the dent revived equal exposure to the dry ice.

After a minute or two, the roof may pop back into place. If the top has not popped after ten minutes, then it is likely that this method won't work for you.

Professional Assistance

One thing that all of these methods have in common is that they don't work all the time. This is because every caved-in roof is different, and some are in better condition to pop back into shape than others.

If your roof doesn't want to pop back or there is leftover damage, you should seek professional assistance. It is not wise to attempt roof repairs you don't know how to perform as this can increase damage.

Sometimes taking your vehicle to a professional is the best way to fix a caved-in roof.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Dented Car Roof?

Dents on the cars roof

A couple of factors account for how much it costs to repair a car roof's dents. The two main factors are the amount of damage that needs to be repaired and the type of vehicle that needs repairs.

If you have a small dent that doesn't damage the paint, it will be cheaper than a significant dent that does damage the paint. It will also cost more for each dent that needs to be repaired.

Also, a Lamborghini will cost much more than a Honda Accord to repair a dent.

Detailed photo of a cars roof

If you don't own a luxury vehicle, a small dent with superficial paint damage will cost between $200 and $500. If the dent is larger and includes damage to the paint, you can expect it to cost between $1,500 and $4,000.

These prices all don't take into account luxury vehicles. If you need minor repairs on a luxury vehicle, it could still cost you $2,500. Removing a large dent from a luxury vehicle could run as much as $7,000.

How Strong Is A Car Roof?

Man packing up things on top of the cars carrier

Car roofs have a standard roof weight limit rating of between 70 and 170 pounds. If you load weight on top of your roof up to and including the weight limit, the roof should hold firm.

In reality, you can load more weight than the roof weight limit, but you risk denting the roof or even having it cave in when you do.

With the roof supporting an unknown amount of weight over the roof weight limit, any attempt to stand on your vehicle's roof risks caving in the ceiling.

A strong car roof should be able to support an average full-grown man at 200 pounds but was never designed to. For this reason, it is always advised that you never stand on your roof.

Furthermore, you want to keep items you load onto your roof within its weight limit, not just for your safety but also for your vehicle.

To Conclude

Red car parked on the side of the road with a scenic background

In this article, we learned many effective methods to fix a caved-in car roof. We also learned that the price to repair a dent on your car's roof varies based on the extent of the damage and the type of vehicle the damage is on.

Remember that while a strong car's roof may be able to support your weight, it was never designed to and is ill-advised.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related posts below!

How To Get A Dent Out Of A Truck – 6 DIY Methods for Truck Body and Bed!

Why Do Cars Have Roof Rails?

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