The holiday season may be the happiest time of the year, but finding a ding on your vehicle’s exterior can leave you feeling like a Grinch. As people prepare for their Thanksgiving feast or rush to snag Black Friday deals, they often battle with packed parking lots and squeezing their cars into tight spaces. A careless swing of the car door next to yours can add another item to your holiday to-do list: dent repair. Here’s how to protect your car from door dings during the holidays so the season stays merry and bright.
How to Protect Your Car from Door Dings
As with most vehicle care, preventive measures are the first step for protecting your car from damage. These tips can help prevent door dings in crowded parking lots this holiday season.
Park Further Out, Or at the End of a Row
As the temperatures drop, you may be tempted to hunt for a close parking spot. However, closer parking spots will have higher traffic and create more risks of damage to your vehicle.
Another strategy is to park on the end of a row or next to an island. This decreases the odds of a door ding with only one parking spot available next to you.
Be Mindful of Surroundings
Parking further out in the parking lot can avoid some of the congestion of the parking lot, but there are still risks of door dings. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially on windy days. A stray shopping cart can cause damage to your vehicle in no time if a strong gust of wind propels it into your car. So park away from the cart return area or any stray carts in the lot.
You can potentially decrease the odds of door dings by paying attention who you park next to. Avoid parking next to larger vehicles with heavy doors. Or if you see a car that looks neglected, with a ton of dents and dings already, chances are the owner is less inclined to protect their own vehicle, or the car next to them.
Straighten Up
When rushing for holiday shopping, you may be tempted to leave your car angled in the parking spot instead of straightening it up. It’s in between the lines, right? Even if your vehicle is between the lines of the parking spot, any jarring angles of your car can make it difficult for other vehicles to maneuver around you. It can also result in areas of your car being close to the line and at risk of being hit by passenger doors.
Repairing Dents and Dings to Your Vehicle
If you do find an unsightly ding on your vehicle’s exterior, paintless dent repair can restore your car to its pristine condition. Paintless dent repair is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method to remove minor dents and dings. A trusted professional can assess the damage to ensure paintless dent removal is the best option for your vehicle.
FAQs: Protecting Your Car from Door Dings
Does PPF protect against door dings?
Yes, Paint Protection Film (PPF) can offer some protection against door dings. PPF acts as a shield by absorbing minor impacts and preventing scratches or paint damage. However, it may not fully prevent damage from more forceful impacts. For the best protection, consider combining PPF with other solutions like door edge guards or parking in safer spots.
How to stop people from dinging your car?
To minimize the chances of door dings:
- Park in the center of your parking space to maximize distance from other cars.
- Choose end or corner spots where only one side is exposed to other vehicles.
- Avoid parking near older or heavily used cars, as their doors are more likely to swing widely.
- Invest in door shields or protective car accessories that act as a barrier.
- Consider valet parking or private garages in high-risk areas for added safety.
About Warren Auto Body Shop, Pole Position Auto Body
Pole Position Auto Body has served the Metro Detroit area for over 30 years. We always follow the standard OEM procedures and are I-Car Gold Class Certified. Whether it’s paintless dent removal or more extensive repairs that are needed, we will return your vehicle’s exterior to its pristine condition. Pole Position Auto Body understands that your time is valuable, especially during the busy holiday months. That’s why we provide safe, quality repairs in the quickest turnaround time possible.
