Dents happen. It’s the unfortunate reality of driving and, more often than not, parking in public places. As such, owners and repair DIYers have their tactics for dent removal. Incidentally, some owners choose to employ a grippy magnet to “pull” a dent back out and flush with the panel. However, a dent-pulling magnet could result in total disaster, like turning a sensible hatchback into a little pickup truck. 

Pieni Lato Preerialla demonstrates how not to approach dent removal– with a high-powered magnet

“How to fix a dent with a fishing magnet.” That’s what Instagram user Pieni Lato Preerialla said before fixing a magnet to a dented Citroën hatchback. It should be noted that Preerialla is speaking into a surplus hand grenade, not unlike the “potato mashers” the Germans used in World War II. Oh yeah, it’s that kind of thing.

He then tells his viewers that they must “locate the dent.” Rather than pointing out an existing dent on the Citroën, he takes a mallet and makes one of his own. Following the prompt to find the dent, he tells viewers to “carefully” position the magnet, slamming it haphazardly onto the rear hatch. 

Better yet, rather than carefully attempting the dent removal, he slides into the car with a big smile on his face. After starting the car, he pulls out of the frame. The line attached to the magnet goes taut, and boom. One minute, the Citroën was a hatchback. The next, it was a tiny pickup truck.

Now, I likely don’t have to tell you that driving away from an anchored magnet isn’t the proper tactic for dent removal. Instead, some owners will hold a magnet with a strong pulling force to pop out small dents. However, the most common DIY tactics for removing dents include suction-style dent pullers or pushing out a dent from the other side. I suppose ripping your vehicle in half is another solution. 

Check out the full video and all of its shenanigans below!