Are you looking for a way to protect your SUV from door dings?

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You’re not alone. This is a common concern for many SUV drivers, and is one of our most frequently asked questions at DentGoalie. There are actually a few different methods to help prevent door dings on your vehicle.

We’re here to explain: HOW to prevent door damage on your SUV and WHAT type of product exactly, you should be looking for.

Car door protector options for SUVs  

As you probably know by now, SUVs, or “sports utility vehicles”, are cars with off-road features such as four-wheel drive. Generally speaking, SUVs are bigger in size and are often considered to be a lighter version of a truck in the USA, though definitions vary slightly by country.

Typically all SUVs are taller, wider, and higher in ride height. This can make it tricky to fit into parking lots with narrow spaces and angled parking. Not only this, but a taller car body will leave your car more susceptible to multiple different protrusion points from other vehicles. You have a few options for car door protection.

Take a walk!

In other words, simply avoid parking next to other cars. We’ve all done this at some point, so if this is you, we’re not judging! Sometimes the only option seems to be parking in the back of the lot with no other cars around. Although a brisk walk never hurt anyone, this isn’t the most realistic or convenient option. Depending on where you are going, you might not have the option to park away from other cars. Additionally, you may come back at the end of the day only to find two other cars parked tightly next to you.

Use a car door-edge guard for your vehicle

If you’re looking for a way to prevent YOUR car door from dinging other vehicles, you could invest in a car door edge guard. This is specifically for the outer edge of your car door, to prevent your paint from chipping and hitting another car. However, these door edge guards will do little in terms on protecting  your car from other vehicles. These type of products will only protect the edge of car doors, leaving your vehicle vulnerable to door dents.

Invest in a car door protector

If you’re sick of the pain and anxiety of door dents and dings on your SUV,  a quality, broad-covering protection piece is your best option. Car door protectors are typically magnetic, and are applied to your car when you park. A quality car door protector is ideal for SUVs, as they are bigger in size and need maximum protection.

What type of car door protector is best for SUVs?

If you’re thinking of investing in a car door protector for your SUV, you should consider a few crucial factors. Especially as SUVs have a bigger and higher build, you’ll want to evaluate the product that will give you maximum protection.

Protection coverage

Most car door protectors, especially for an SUV, will not have the necessary protection coverage. Many door dent protectors on the market are simply not long and wide enough to adequately protect your SUV.  Adding to this problem, adjoining parked cars have multiple door designs with protruding shapes, and many parking spaces are angled which result in more of a variety of exposed areas on your vehicle each time you park.  

We recommend a car door protector 10” wide by 70” long for optimal, practical coverage for an SUV body style.

Durability

In terms of durability, you should be looking for two elements: impact resistance and firm grip for your vehicle.

For ultimate impact resistance, you want a durable protector for your SUV that is strong enough to embrace a blunt force. Some products on the market are made out of cheap plastic, which won’t always hold up against impact. This is why we recommend products made with EVA foam.

You’ll also want to make sure that your car door protector won’t fall off when you walk away. We recommend magnetic car door protection panels with rubber coating on the back, or ‘heavy-duty suction cup’ panels for non-metal cars (aluminum or carbon-fiber body).

Convenience

You’ll also want to make sure that you buy something you’ll actually use! This is why you’ll want to use a car door protector that you can quickly throw on in the parking lot, safely and securely.