Fix It

Paintless dent repair (PDR) is the removal of dings and dents from a motor vehicle body through different techniques. The techniques used in paintless dent repair do not require painting after the dent is corrected. If the paint was damaged at the time the dent occurred, paintless dent repair is not possible. The dent can still be corrected, but a paint job will be required to finish the repair. This is known as "push to paint". Paintless dent repair is often used to correct dents caused by minor damages such as hail damage and door dings.

Instructions

1

Remove a small dent with a the use of glue and a dent pulling tab. Several companies sell paintless dent repair kits which include a hot glue gun with glue sticks and a dent pulling tab with accessories. Buy a kit online or through your local auto supply store. Glue a dent pulling tab to the center crease of the dent. Suction the bridge to the car over the dent so that that the dent pulling tab connects through the center of the bridge. Screw the turning knob onto the other end of the pulling tab. Continue twisting the knob, slowly, until the dent pops out. Remove any glue that sticks to the car with rubbing alcohol.

2

Wrap a small brick of dry ice in a shop towel and gently apply it to hail damage. Slowly rub over and around the dent for several minutes until the dent pops out. This process can take awhile and is not recommended for dents larger then the size of a quarter. Wear protective gloves while handling the dry ice as it can burn your skin. Leave the vehicle in the shade or a cooled garage for at least half the day once you have removed the dent. Taking the car out into the sun or heat too quickly can cause the dent to return.

3

Contact a local PDR company to have your dent removed if you have a medium to large dent. For dents this size, you will only have one chance to get it right and will need a professional to ensure it is done right.

4

Attend a short course on professional paintless dent repair. Institutes such as Superior Auto Institute and M & M Training offer courses which can be completed in a few weeks. You will get plenty of hands on experience as well as access to some of the best dent removal tools available. The information offered through these courses will give you an understanding of the different types of dents as well as techniques to remove them.

5

Obtain a professional dent removal kit and begin practicing. Kits can be bought through online retailers and training facilities. Make sure the kit comes with a door set, a pry set and wire set. You will also need a ball peen hammer and a rubber tipped crowning tool, a window wedge and a tool leverage strap.

6

Buy a fluorescent light that will project shadows onto the surface of a car. The lines and shadows created by the light can be used to gain better insight into the contour of the dent and whether there are any points that are crowning or pressurized. This tool is imperative in successfully and professionally completing a PDR.

7

Ask a local salvage yard if you can practice removing dents on their cars or find yourself a practice car and practice if you plan to use your knowledge of PDR for business.

Repairing a car dent can be costly, depending on the make and model of the car, the age of the car and the level of damage. Knowing how to fix this problem yourself empowers you to save time and money.

Instructions

1

Inspect the dent and the surrounding area. Mark the central area of the dent, which is the deepest point of the indentation. The central area is located in the center of the upper and lower portion of the undented area.

2

Mix detergent in a container of water. Once the detergent has been mixed properly, immerse the sponge. Leave the sponge in for about 20 seconds, then rub it over the dented area as thoroughly as possible.

3

Rinse the dented area with water, and completely remove the applied detergent. Once you have rinsed the area thoroughly, apply the sponge, and remove any remaining signs of detergent. All grime or dirt must be removed from the dented area.

4

Immerse the bottom portion of the dent-puller suction cup in water. Once it is wet, apply it to the middle of the central area, which you previously marked.

5

Turn on the heat gun, and set the temperature to high. Apply the gun to the edges of the dented area. Do this thoroughly for about 45-60 seconds, until you have covered the entire outer region of the indentation. Immediately after removing the gun, use the dent puller to yank out the dent, and bring the metallic portion back to its normal state.

Auto body technicians can repair dents on your car but the costs may be high. This is especially true if your cars value is low and buying materials at a store so you can do the work yourself would be cheaper than paying a professional. The do-it-yourself strategies and secrets in the steps below can help you fix the dents yourself. Most of the tips involve small investments at an auto parts store.

Simple Steps

If the dent is not bad, minor applications may help remove it. You can apply your hand above or below the dent, depending on the dents location, to see whether it can be pushed back to its normal position. You can press wood blocks against the sides side of the dent to add more force. Use a suction cup in an attempt to pull out the dent.

Sanding and Filling

One approach to dent repair is to sand the paint off the dent. Once the dent is exposed, apply car body filler. Spread the filler evenly and let it dry. Once the filler is dry, sand it until its smooth and repaint the area with the color of your car. This should help make the car look as good as new.

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