Author Topic: dent pullers  (Read 3417 times)

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Offline longview

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dent pullers
« on: June 13, 2013, 08:43:43 PM »
Any opinions out there on what a decent brand is?  I, some of my family, and many of my friends got hail damage on our vehicles lately.  I don't want to pay a shop, so am going to get a puller and do it myself.  Then there is a line of people who also want to try it. 

Offline Chris_

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2013, 08:53:10 PM »
Do you have an air compressor?  I've never had any luck with dent pullers or slide hammers of any kind, but I see "pneumatic dent pullers" on a simple Google search.
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Offline obumazombie

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2013, 10:17:49 PM »
Ed from Wheeler Dealers featured a new(ish) design dent puller that involved tac welding rivet type bars to the dent, and a contraption to tension them until the dent came out.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2013, 10:20:54 PM »
Yes, but that involved removing the paint and applying heat with an acetylene torch.  Probably not the best method for hail damage, but it was impressive.
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Offline longview

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2013, 10:27:15 PM »
I do have an air compressor at work.  I'm searching online.

Did try the trick of heating the area with a blow dryer and putting ice on the dent.  The couple spots I tried did pop back up, but there are too many to do that all over.  A couple people have said to just wait until the temps top 100 and then put the ice on.  I dunno... would rather get after it and fix those dents now.

Offline Chris_

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2013, 10:29:18 PM »
Dry ice might work.  Those cans of compressed air are expensive.
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Offline Bad Dog

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2013, 12:21:35 AM »
Dry ice might work.  Those cans of compressed air are expensive.

I watched a neighbor do that & it worked on small hail dents.  He wrapped the dry ice in a towel & held it on the dent & you could hear the dent pop.

Offline longview

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2013, 06:34:31 AM »
I can get plenty of dry ice and might try that.  The dents in my car, while plentiful, are pretty small.  Only glass damage is the passenger side mirror.

We had another hail storm last night north of town that broke windows on cars and houses.  Boss thinks his truck, a trailer and motor home are all totaled.    Tore up the siding on two sides of his house, smashed a couple windows, and roof damage (of course).   

Oh geez, I just remembered one of the neighbors up there just had a new roof put on last week. 

Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2013, 09:34:23 AM »
Wet the area and try a bathroom plunger.....push down and pull back while the suction holds.
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Offline longview

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2013, 01:35:52 PM »
Wet the area and try a bathroom plunger.....push down and pull back while the suction holds.

Too tiny.  The dents, not the plunger.  Getting together with ranch boss to see if he's going to fix any of his vehicles.  Or, if he wants me to try. 

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Offline biersmythe

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2013, 09:53:54 PM »
A friend of mines husband does paint less dent repair. he uses dry ice, spoons and a horde of custom made tools to get into areas you cant reach. He gets behind the panel with the spoon and pushes while the ice is applied...there is a lot of experience involved...I have seen cars that were totaled come out great. He told me you can get the hang of it quick. I haven't needed it yet so....fingers crossed.
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Offline RobJohnson

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2013, 02:54:58 AM »
It depends on the size, location and quantity of the dents.

I have seen people loosen the factory hood, deck lid and roof cross members to get the PDR tools behind the dent to massage them out. This can actually compromise the structural safety of the vehicle. PDR can also leave small cracks in the paint that can lead to corrosion down the road.

There are several good paintless dent repair (PDR) kits out there, but they are not cheap. Some use glue and pull the dents from the top side.

Torch and file is still popular on the top panels of vehicles. But that then requires primer, base and clear coat after. Hoods and deck lids are usually replaced if they are peppered with a lot of dents, as it's the cost effective way to repair.

There are several good PDR folks out there that are able to quickly fix hail damage. Paintless dent repair takes a while to master. If you do not know what you are doing, or do not have enough practice, you can end up doing more harm then good to the vehicle's appearance.

 http://www.denttoolsdirectusa.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=10

Offline longview

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #12 on: June 28, 2013, 12:19:11 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions. 

I've been really busy and doing some traveling lately.  I did get two popped back up by just putting regular ice cubes on them from my go-cup of iced tea while my boss was talking to me by the car.  Sounded like when jelly jars seal (if anyone has made jelly).

I'm going to get what I can today and then see where we're at.  Either that or just paint the word "Titleist" across the hood.  It kind of looks like a golf ball. 

Have the side mirror and wind deflectors ordered.  Still have to order the rear light covers.  They are broken just cracked.  Still work, but eventually won't.

Offline Bad Dog

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2013, 06:33:51 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions. 

I've been really busy and doing some traveling lately.  I did get two popped back up by just putting regular ice cubes on them from my go-cup of iced tea while my boss was talking to me by the car.  Sounded like when jelly jars seal (if anyone has made jelly).I'm going to get what I can today and then see where we're at.  Either that or just paint the word "Titleist" across the hood.  It kind of looks like a golf ball. 

Have the side mirror and wind deflectors ordered.  Still have to order the rear light covers.  They are broken just cracked.  Still work, but eventually won't.

Kind of a "ploink" sound right?

Offline longview

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2013, 10:08:19 PM »
Kind of a "ploink" sound right?

Yes.

But today I was working and had a chance to get three more dents out using ice from my tea jug.  Those just came up with no sound. 

I'm still considering getting a dent puller.  With my work schedules, I'm not making progress very fast.  With a puller, I could work on it at night.

Offline obumazombie

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #15 on: July 02, 2013, 06:28:36 PM »
Kind of a "ploink" sound right?
1st cousin of "plonk" ?
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Offline Bad Dog

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #16 on: July 03, 2013, 11:40:05 AM »
1st cousin of "plonk" ?

I was hoping someone would catch it.

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #17 on: July 03, 2013, 05:12:07 PM »
I was hoping someone would catch it.
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Offline freedumb2003b

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #18 on: July 03, 2013, 05:23:53 PM »
1st cousin of "plonk" ?

Wasn't that the sound of Al Bundy's stitches when he got the big V?
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Offline obumazombie

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Re: dent pullers
« Reply #19 on: July 03, 2013, 05:32:31 PM »
Wasn't that the sound of Al Bundy's stitches when he got the big V?

You are probably right, but we will have to consult with nads.
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