How to Fix a Dented Metal Door

It's common to have home front doors made of steel. They are durable, come in a variety of styles, require less maintenance then wood doors and are often better insulated. However if you steel door gets a dent, follow these steps to repair it.

Material list:

1. Sanding paper

2. Putty knife

3. Tack cloth

4. Palm or random orbit sander

5. Automotive body filler compound

6. Tube of hardening agent

7. Spray paint metal primer

8. Metal paint (any color)

9. Eye protection

10. Dusk Mask

11. Gloves

Start the repair by sanding the dented area to remove the existing paint and primer. Your best tool for this is a random orbit sander however a palm sander or just sand paper on a block of wood will also work. You want to sand down all the paint until you get to bare metal. Be sure that you not only remove the paint in the dent but also the paint surrounding the dent. You don't want to leave any high paint edges or leave any paint in the dent.

Once you have finished sanding, use the tack cloth to wipe down the door to remove all the dust.

To fill the dent, us an automotive body filler (found at auto-parts stores). Most auto body fillers will require you to mix the filler and hardening agent in equal amounts. Be sure to read the label for specific directions. Keep mixing the filler until the mix becomes stiff. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when handling the filler.

Fill in the dent with the mixed compound using a putty knife. Make sure you don't have any air bubbles. You want to fill the dent and then contour the filler so that it matches the surface of the door. You will want to work quickly as the filler starts to set in about 10 minutes.

Once the mixture has completely hardened, use the random orbit or palm sander to create a smooth surface. You can also use sandpaper wrapped in a block of wood.

Once smooth, use the tack cloth to wipe off all the dust. Run your hand over the sanded area to feel for any areas that need additional sanding or filler. Once perfectly smooth and duct free, apply a spray metal primer to the sanded and compound surface. A metal primer will help prohibit rust.

Once the primer dries, paint the door any color you want. It's always better to apply a couple of light coats of paint rather then one heavy coat. Be sure to let the paint fully dry before applying additional coats of paint.