The automotive industry uses a variety of different tools for dent removal. Naturally, some dents are larger than others and it is an impossibility to remove them completely. However, recent tool technology has led to an increase in small area repairs that require no subsequent paintwork whatsoever. This type of repair has become incredibly popular with vehicle owners who wish to maintain a blemish-free auto insurance record because dents can be removed at significantly lower out-of-pocket costs. This ultimately saves money on premium increases when auto insurance is renewed.
Paintless Dent Removal Rods
Paintless dent removal is carried out using a selection of different rods that vary in length, size and shape. The operator places a freestanding fluorescent tube at one end of the vehicle to maximize light conditions and inserts an appropriate-sized rod into the cavity of the dented auto body panel.
By moving the head slightly to pass light onto the dented area, the operators tweaks the handle of the rod so that the shaped end of the rod eases out the dent. The secret of paintless dent removal is to start at the outside of the dent and work inward. In most cases, the dent can be removed completely to leave a flat, blemish-free finish.
Paintless Dent Removal Glue Sticks
Glue sticks are another paintless dent removal option, but they can also be used on large depressions to remove major sections of dented metal before body filler is added. Glue sticks are supplied with an adhesive that is applied to the center of a dent. The glue stick is placed into a gun that is operated by butane and pushed onto the adhesive. As heat is generated, the glue stick bonds to the panel.
Once cool, a pulling device called a sliding hammer is clamped to the opposite end of the glue stick. As the sliding mechanism of the hammer is gently pulled towards the handle, the dent lifts out to leave a flat, painted surface. The glue stick can be snapped off and the adhesive can be removed with a plastic spreader to prevent further panel damage
Dolly and Flip
The dolly and flip are traditional dent removal tools that are widely used in auto body shops by panel beaters. Interior trim is removed from a body panel and the metal dolly is placed behind the dent and manually held into place.
The flip is used to tap the other side of the dent so that it makes contact with the dolly on the other side. As the two tools impact against each other, the damage on the auto body panel flattens considerably. Although panels that are repaired with a dolly and flip still require painting, the use of body filler is kept to a minimum.
Dreadnought File
It is important to remember that dents can be forced outwards as well as inwards. In the automotive industry, these are called high spots and are usually removed with a dreadnought file. The surrounding paint is sanded off to a P80-grit finish and the dent is tapped down using a metal dolly and tapping hammer.
Once the dent has been reduced to as small a size as possible, the dreadnought file is scraped across the surface of the auto body panel to remove the remainder of the high spot until a flat metal finish remains.
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