How to Protect Doors From Dings & Dents

Train your children and other family members how to properly use the car door. Tell them to look at how close the vehicle is parked beside your car, and instruct them to open the door slowly and carefully, holding on to the door at all times. Instruct your passenger to tell you if the vehicle next to you is too close to open the door without bumping it, and find a new parking spot if this is the case.

Clean clutter and unnecessary items from your garage. Even if you have a roomy two-car garage, unnecessary clutter may make it difficult to enter the car without bumping into a bicycle, lawn mower or other obstruction. Store large items in a storage shed or in areas away from the car doors.

Park away from other vehicles. In today's society, many people are in a rush, thus they may not mean to dent your car upon exiting their own, but it occurs often. Parking at a distance is a wise way to add exercise to your day and results in fewer dents and dings on your car as well.

Open your car door carefully when you are getting out at gas pumps. The pumps are normally surrounded with a protective pole at each end. This protects the pumps from damage, and you may not notice them when entering or exiting your car.

Install an automobile door guard or bumper pad on each door of your car. This not only protects your car door if you accidentally slam it against another vehicle, but it protects other cars parked next to you from dings and dents as well. Typically, you install the bumper by sliding it up along the edge of your car door. Some models are magnetic and you simply stick them on. These devices are relatively inexpensive.

Reduce the risk of another car door slamming into yours by parallel parking when possible. Many people avoid this type of parking due to a lack of skills, but practice enables you to master the technique in only a few tries.

Pick parking spaces that are at the end of a row or in a corner if you cannot park away from other vehicles due to a packed parking lot. Park as close to the curb opposite the driver's side as possible if you are alone.