How to Fix a Dent in an Insulated Garage Door

Insulated metal garage doors help homeowners gain greater control over the internal temperatures of their garages. Normally filled with rigid, insulating foam boards, insulated garage doors have added durability over their hollow counterparts. This durability helps reduce the risk of dents; however, a sharp enough hit can still create an unsightly dimple. Hollow doors can be opened up to push or pull out dents, but this procedure can damage the foam interior of an insulated door, compromising the energy efficiency of the garage. Avoid damaging the insulating layer by instead patching the dent.

Dishwashing soap
Scrub brush
100-grit wet/dry sandpaper
Auto body filler
Plastic putty knife
Sanding block or orbital sander
220-grit wet/dry sandpaper
Primer
Paintbrush (optional)
Paint (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the dented area thoroughly by scrubbing it with hot, soapy water. Rinse the washed area with fresh water to get rid of the soap residue, and then dry.
- 2
  Scuff the inside and outer edge of the dent by sanding it with 100-grit sandpaper. Brush away all dust left from sanding.
- 3
  Fill the dent with auto body filler, spreading it with a plastic putty knife. Scrape the filler so that it is level with the surrounding surface of the door. Leave the filler to cure.
- 4
  Sand the surface and edges of the cured filler smooth with sandpaper on a sanding block or orbital sander. Start with 100-grit, and then finish with 220-grit sandpaper. Work in circular motions. Brush way the sanding dust.
- 5
  Paint the area with outdoor, latex primer. Brush and spray-on primers are available. Leave the primer to dry.
- 6
  Coat the area with an outdoor latex paint that matches the garage door. Brush and spray-on paints are available. Leave the paint to dry, and then add a second coat.

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