Irrespective of how cautious you might be or the place you park to keep away from harm, dents and dings are a reality of life. And in case you’re like us, you possibly can’t stand to stroll out and see small imperfections in your automotive’s physique. The paintless dent restore (PDR) enterprise has catered to this self-importance for greater than 30 years and is now a typical possibility for lots of minor harm. However with the everyday price {of professional} dent restore starting from round $100 to $300 or extra, it’s pure to search for DIY options.
One such possibility for minor dents is a paintless dent restore package, like this one from Eastwood. The package consists of reusable glue-on restore button tabs in a wide range of sizes, sizzling soften glue and glue gun, a tab puller, a small slide hammer, and a gentle scraper. For lower than the price of having a single dent pulled by a professional, the package may be reused numerous instances, permitting you to make a number of repairs.
The method is simple and easy, and requires solely a clear paint floor and a well-lit house for working. Temperature may even play a minor issue, as you’ll see greatest outcomes when engaged on panels above 60 levels Fahrenheit.
Glue on a pull buttonOnce you’ve recognized the dent you need to restore, step one is to selected the appropriately sized pull button to completely cowl the dent. With the glue gun at full working temperature, apply a beneficiant bead of sizzling glue to the button and instantly press it onto the dent. Let this quiet down for a pair minutes so the glue can totally solidify.
Carry on the pull buttonFor small and shallow dents, the lever-type dent puller would be the proper software for the job. This enables you gently apply upward stress in simply the correct quantity to make the dent launch. The sheet steel panel ought to have a ‘reminiscence’ for its pressed form and return to its former place naturally. The glue ought to launch with a assured ‘pop’ when panel has returned to form. This course of might should be repeated greater than as soon as if the dent is deeper or you might be overly cautious about pulling too aggressively. Higher to be protected than sorry.
Deeper dents or heavier-gauge panels might require a extra assertive method. That is the place the included slide hammer turns out to be useful. If the lever puller doesn’t get the job achieved, merely swap it out for slide hammer. Pull firmly however gently to get a really feel for the trouble wanted to make the pull, being cautious to not overdo it too early. Apply extra power progressively as wanted.
Scrape the buttonWith the dent appears to be like to be pulled, use the nylon scraper software to separate the pull button from the paint floor. Slightly denatured alcohol sprayed on the glue will assist soften it. Scrape and wipe any remaining glue from the paint and study the restore from a number of angles, ensuring to place your self in a means which you could watch gentle replicate over the restore space. A line board turns out to be useful for aiding visibility of reflections.
If the dent is gone, you’re achieved. But it surely’s not unusual to search out just a little little bit of dent remaining after an preliminary pull. You may merely repeat the method to make subsequent pulls as required to convey the floor again to its unique form.
