Aluminium · Alcobendas, Madrid
Dent repair on aluminium panels
More and more cars use aluminium bonnets, wings, doors or tailgates to save weight. They can be repaired without paint, but aluminium behaves differently from steel and cannot be rushed: it needs heat, its own tools and more time.
- Typical time
- 1–4 h per panel
- Where
- Workshop or on site
- Warranty
- 24 months in writing
- Quote
- Free from a photo, < 2 h
What is the difference between repairing steel and aluminium?
Steel has "memory" and tends to return to its shape; aluminium does not, and it also hardens every time it is worked, so it has to be moved slowly and with heat.
When you push a dent in steel, the metal follows. In aluminium, push too hard in one spot and the material hardens into a high spot that is hard to bring down, or simply stretches. So the pushes are shorter and spread out, combined with heat so the metal gives without resisting.
The industry association European Aluminium publishes information on the growing use of aluminium in cars, which explains why we see more of these panels at the workshop.
How do we repair a dent in an aluminium panel?
We heat the area to a controlled temperature, work with wide-tipped rods in short steps and check under the lamp more often than with steel.
- We confirm the material with a magnet and measure paint thickness.
- We heat the area with hot air or low-power induction, measuring the temperature with an infrared thermometer.
- We push with wider, rounded tips that spread the force and avoid marking the metal.
- We level high spots with Teflon knockdowns and let it cool before the final check.
It is the same basis as classic paintless dent repair, with more control. Aluminium bonnets are common; we also cover those dents in bonnet, roof and wings.
Aluminium vs. steel: what changes in paintless repair?
Quick answer: aluminium can be repaired without paint just like steel, but it needs heat, dedicated tools and more time, and it copes worse with sharp creases.
| Criterion | Aluminium | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Behaviour | No memory, hardens when worked | Tends to return to its shape |
| Tools | Wide tips, controlled heat | Standard rods and tips |
| Time | Longer | Shorter |
| Sharp creases | Higher chance of needing paint | More room for repair |
| Where you find it | Premium bonnets, wings, doors and tailgates | Most car bodies |
Which cars have the most aluminium panels?
Mainly Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Tesla, although more and more mainstream models use an aluminium bonnet or tailgate.
In North Madrid we see a lot of company and lease cars from these brands, so aluminium is part of our daily work. We have dedicated pages, for example for Audi, Tesla and BMW, with what is worth knowing about each.
If the aluminium is on the bonnet and the damage comes from hail, see hail damage repair.
More services from Varillero Coche
Frequently asked questions
What do people ask about dents in aluminium?
The most common questions about aluminium panels.
How do I know if my car has aluminium panels?
The quickest way is a magnet: it will not stick to aluminium. We always check before quoting.
Does it cost more to remove a dent from aluminium?
It usually takes longer than the same dent in steel, because we work with heat and in shorter steps. You will see it in the quote from the start.
Can heating the aluminium damage the paint?
No, if the temperature is controlled. We measure the surface temperature constantly and stay well below the point that would harm the paint.
Which brands use the most aluminium?
Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche and Tesla, among others, use aluminium on bonnets, wings, doors or the whole body depending on the model.
Are there aluminium dents that cannot be removed without paint?
Yes. Aluminium tolerates stretching less than steel, so a sharp crease is more likely to need paint. We assess it from the photo.
Free quote from a photo
Can you send us a photo of the dent?
We reply with a fixed quote within two working hours, with no obligation.
Take 2 or 3 photos in daylight: one from a distance showing the whole panel and one at an angle where you can see the reflection bend. That is enough for us to tell you whether it can be repaired without paint, how long it takes and what it costs.
- C. Valgrande, 10, Nave 1, 28108 Alcobendas (Madrid)
- +34 673 50 67 93
- info@varillerocoche.es
- Monday to Friday: 9:00–14:00 and 15:00–18:00
Tell us what happened to your car
We reply with your quote by phone or WhatsApp. You can attach up to 3 photos of the dent here or, if you prefer, send everything via WhatsApp.
Last updated: . Written and reviewed by David, PDR technician and founder of Varillero Coche.