In this post, you will learn the process of how dent repair is performed.
Preparation details
Start the repair by preparing the panel with car wash soap and remove any transfer paint with 99% alcohol.
Select the appropriate tools for the repair:
- light system
- glass protector
- Window wedge
- hammer
- tap down
- interchangeable tip J hook tool
Method of dent repair used
Some glue pulling were done in this repair, but the majority of the repairs were done by pushing and constant heatings.
The repair was finished with a light polish to remove any trace of tap down smudges and for a much cleaner repair.
Brief technical background
At the factory where metals are manufactured for the construction of vehicle’s panels. Tension and compression are built into panels. Tension at a horizontal level and compression at the vertical level. In an impact, these levels are reversed.
There are many different types of metal and aluminum strengths and gauge thickness used throughout a vehicle. Some of the most common metals and aluminums used for outer body panels, are high strength steel and aluminum 20 gauge.
The game is to restore these tension and compression levels back.
Body lines are designed to help add rigidity and aerodynamic. The paint is for protecting the metal and to add beauty to the vehicle. There are about four levels of metal protection, zinc coating, metal primer, base coat and clear coat. Some vehicles might have more or fewer levels depends on the manufacturer’s decision.
First stages of a body line dent removal
Do this by gather metal with a hammer and tap down and a sharp pick tool. There are few more tools and ways to work a crown and gather metal. But for this repair, use a tap down, glue pulling and a j hook sharp tip tool.
The first step to repair a dent is to work the crown back down into the depth of the dent as best as possible, by tapping down the crown. Avoid tapping on the very top of the crown. Tap slightly behind it to help drive the metal back into the dent where the metal is the thinnest.
After tapping most of the crown down, a glue tap is placed right under the upper ridge of the crown and pulling pressure applied to pull or drive the crown or metal back into the dent. Do not look to make any highs. The aim is to push the crown back down into the dent.
Work the crowns first
A dent can have many crowns. Crowns are pressure traps and by releasing these pressure traps, it makes the repair much faster, easier and cleaner.
Use a j hook for the body line dent itself
After releasing the majority of the pressure, a j hook pick tool is then used for the repair of the body line with a self tip to move as much of the metal as possible. Heat is then applied to make the paint malleable and to prevent it from cracking. Heat also helps to make the metal much more flexible.
When a body line dent is being worked on, start working about one inch away from the dent. Then work the tool toward the dent with very close pushes to the other end. The process is repeated at a 360 degree angle until the body line is straight.
Push up micro lows
After the body line has been restored and all the crowns have been removed, a sharp tip tool is then use to push up any micro lows along with a blending hammer, hammer and tap down to blend out any metal for a level repair.
The repair process will be repeated at a 360 degree angle because the repair might look great at one angle and look bad at another angle.
EXPERT TIP: Flow the repair sequence and allow the dent to tell us what to do next.
Some PDR techs might have a different approach, but this sequence of repairing large and complex dents are known to be the most effective way.
Some little tricks of the trade might be required throughout the repair, but the fundamental stays the same. It takes a professional to utilize this process of dent removal efficiently.
Related reading: Learn How To Fix A dent With Cracked Or Chipped Paint
