A car dent puller is a simple tool that can save you a great deal of money. If you have a small dent on your vehicle, you'll be able to fix it yourself instead of going in to the body shop. It's simple to use and there are also suction dent pullers available.
Tools and Materials
Dent puller kit
Flathead screwdriver
Suction dent puller
Step 1 - Cleaning
Start by cleaning the dent and the area surrounding it. It's important to be thorough with this, as it will help the suction cup adhesive stick more firmly. Be sure to use a good cleaner on the area, rub thoroughly and then wash clean so there's no soap residue.
Step 2 - Preparing the Dent Puller
Take your car dent puller and arrange it so the knobs at the edge and the center are in the ready position-that is, completely loose. If you're not sure what to do, look at the instructions that came with the car dent puller. Take out the adhesive from the kit and apply it to all the suction pads. You only need to use a very thin layer.
With that done, you're ready to place the car dent puller on the dent. Position it so that the pad in the center sits in the middle of the dent. Spread the arms so that the other pads fasten down between 2 inches and 3 inches from the dent's edge.
Step 3 - Pulling the Dent
You need to hold the pads so they stay firmly in position. Keep a hold for 5 minutes, then leave the car dent puller in place for 6 hours, which gives the adhesive ample time to dry. When you return to the car dent puller, begin to turn the middle pad in a counter clockwise direction. You need to go slowly and not break the adhesive bond. As you twist, you'll discover that you're pulling out the dent. Keep going until you've pulled it out completely.
To break the adhesive, you'll need to twist the pads outside the dent. From this you'll be able to remove all the pads. You might have a little adhesive clinging to the paintwork. You can remove this by scraping gently with a flathead screwdriver. Use the cleaner once more on the dent area to wipe off any extra adhesive.
Step 4 - Suction Cup Dent Puller
There's also a simpler way to do the job, using a large suction cup car dent puller. This takes more strength, but works far more quickly. The tool is a large suction cut with two handles in the middle. To use it, you need to push the suction cup into the dent, experimenting several times until you achieve strong suction.
You lock the car dent puller by push the handles together. Having that lock is vital. Once you've achieved it, start to pull the dent out with muscle power. Don't try to yank it out, but apply firm, even pressure until it's out. Open the handles to release the lock and remove the car dent puller from the body.
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Feb 20, 2012
How to Mix and Spread Car Body Filler
Car body filler is a chemical compound which allows us to fill holes and chinks in the bodywork of our vehicles at a relatively low cost. It makes homes repairs easier and cheaper. There are some rules which apply to using car body filler and people often make the mistake of using it incorrectly. Its best bedding is always metal or fiberglass and there should ideally be no air between the filler and the material it is bedded into.
Step 1 - Understanding the Compound
It is vital to remember that car body filler is a compound chemical mixture of two components. In order for it to properly cure, it must be mixed correctly. The most common brand name for body filler is Bondo, but while Bondo is a brand name, it has become synonymous with generic brands too. Always follow the mixing directions when using car body filler. The right proportions of each part must be mixed together.
Step 2 - Mixing the Compound
Always use a mask when you intent to mix body filler. The fumes are strong and potentially toxic, so use a form of protection on your face. A large piece of stiff card is usually a good product to mix the filler on. It doesn’t encourage hardening and it is disposable. You can use thin plastic or Perspex too. For mixing the two parts of the compound you can always use a wooden stick from an ice pop or lollipop. Use another piece of stiff card to scoop some filler out of the can and shut the lid. Take the tube of hardener and spread some across the filler and mix gently but quickly. Fold the two parts together until the marbling has disappeared and the mix is all one color. Be very careful not add too much hardener because it will cause the mix to cure too quickly. Mix until the compound is a light gray and the consistency of whipped cream.
Step 3 - Using the Mixture
You will need a strong piece of thin plastic, or a credit card sized piece that you can use to spread the mixture. You must make sure the potential surface is ready to accept the filler before you mix it. By then you should have sanded the body work down, wiped it with a clean tack cloth and smoothed it out using fine damp wet and dry sand paper. Once you have made certain it is clean, dry and ready, only then should you mix the car body filler to complete your hole or dent repair. Scoop up a little filler on the plastic card and spread it evenly and consistently onto the area of the body work that needs it. As you spread, any excess will be picked up on the card and taken along with it where you can rework it over the area if you need to. Once you have smoothed out the surface where the filler has been applied, leave it to dry hard before you sand it down and apply any further treatment.
Step 1 - Understanding the Compound
It is vital to remember that car body filler is a compound chemical mixture of two components. In order for it to properly cure, it must be mixed correctly. The most common brand name for body filler is Bondo, but while Bondo is a brand name, it has become synonymous with generic brands too. Always follow the mixing directions when using car body filler. The right proportions of each part must be mixed together.
Step 2 - Mixing the Compound
Always use a mask when you intent to mix body filler. The fumes are strong and potentially toxic, so use a form of protection on your face. A large piece of stiff card is usually a good product to mix the filler on. It doesn’t encourage hardening and it is disposable. You can use thin plastic or Perspex too. For mixing the two parts of the compound you can always use a wooden stick from an ice pop or lollipop. Use another piece of stiff card to scoop some filler out of the can and shut the lid. Take the tube of hardener and spread some across the filler and mix gently but quickly. Fold the two parts together until the marbling has disappeared and the mix is all one color. Be very careful not add too much hardener because it will cause the mix to cure too quickly. Mix until the compound is a light gray and the consistency of whipped cream.
Step 3 - Using the Mixture
You will need a strong piece of thin plastic, or a credit card sized piece that you can use to spread the mixture. You must make sure the potential surface is ready to accept the filler before you mix it. By then you should have sanded the body work down, wiped it with a clean tack cloth and smoothed it out using fine damp wet and dry sand paper. Once you have made certain it is clean, dry and ready, only then should you mix the car body filler to complete your hole or dent repair. Scoop up a little filler on the plastic card and spread it evenly and consistently onto the area of the body work that needs it. As you spread, any excess will be picked up on the card and taken along with it where you can rework it over the area if you need to. Once you have smoothed out the surface where the filler has been applied, leave it to dry hard before you sand it down and apply any further treatment.
3 Bumper Scratch Repair Methods
Bumper scratch repair can be a costly process if you need to make a claim on your insurance. You will likely have to pay your deductible and that might end up being more than what it costs to repair. You might just decide that it's cheaper for you to repair it yourself, in which case you will just need a few items and some time on your hands.
1. Color Coded Bumpers
Scratches vary in size, shape and length, as do bumpers. If your car bumper is color coded to your vehicle you can still mend it yourself. You will need masking tape, matching paint, clear top coat, sandpaper and a sponge and soapy water. Start by rubbing down the area and sanding it smooth. You will lose some paint from the undamaged area, but this is to be expected. Wash the bumper down with the soapy water and sponge and then either wipe it dry or let it air dry.
Mask off the damaged area to avoid over painting. Use the matching paint and spray a light covering coat over the area. Leave that coat to dry and then apply a second coat. Leave that to dry and then apply a clear coat if required. Once you remove the masking tape you might find a very gentle lip of paint where the edges were. You can use a wax polish to blend that because it will still be marginally soft enough to blend away without scarring.
2. Vinyl Bumpers
These are a nuisance to fix, but to reduce your bumper scratch repair cost you can do it yourself. When you get a scratch on a vinyl bumper the best thing you can really do is use a tiny amount of resin compound colored to as close to the bumper color as possible, and then try to match the pattern finish on the vinyl to disguise it. You can try heating the area gently with a heat gun and using a heavy sandpaper to disguise the scratch. Don't rub the sandpaper onto the bumper, just apply it to the area and press it in gently and pull it away again to emulate the mold.
3. Metallic and Chrome Bumpers
These are probably the easiest bumpers to remove scratches from. It does depend largely on the depth of the scratch, but let's work on the idea that it was a gentle 'kiss' and not a deep gouge. You can initially try to wipe the scratch away if it is just a surface mark. Use cola and a rolled up ball of aluminum foil. Dip the foil in the cola and rub the area. It will bring the metal or chrome up to a brilliant shine and remove any oxidation at the same time. If the scratch comes off as you use this method, you have a quick and easy fix to your problem. If you need to buy a bumper scratch repair kit to assist you with a more difficult scratch, then find a recommended brand.
1. Color Coded Bumpers
Scratches vary in size, shape and length, as do bumpers. If your car bumper is color coded to your vehicle you can still mend it yourself. You will need masking tape, matching paint, clear top coat, sandpaper and a sponge and soapy water. Start by rubbing down the area and sanding it smooth. You will lose some paint from the undamaged area, but this is to be expected. Wash the bumper down with the soapy water and sponge and then either wipe it dry or let it air dry.
Mask off the damaged area to avoid over painting. Use the matching paint and spray a light covering coat over the area. Leave that coat to dry and then apply a second coat. Leave that to dry and then apply a clear coat if required. Once you remove the masking tape you might find a very gentle lip of paint where the edges were. You can use a wax polish to blend that because it will still be marginally soft enough to blend away without scarring.
2. Vinyl Bumpers
These are a nuisance to fix, but to reduce your bumper scratch repair cost you can do it yourself. When you get a scratch on a vinyl bumper the best thing you can really do is use a tiny amount of resin compound colored to as close to the bumper color as possible, and then try to match the pattern finish on the vinyl to disguise it. You can try heating the area gently with a heat gun and using a heavy sandpaper to disguise the scratch. Don't rub the sandpaper onto the bumper, just apply it to the area and press it in gently and pull it away again to emulate the mold.
3. Metallic and Chrome Bumpers
These are probably the easiest bumpers to remove scratches from. It does depend largely on the depth of the scratch, but let's work on the idea that it was a gentle 'kiss' and not a deep gouge. You can initially try to wipe the scratch away if it is just a surface mark. Use cola and a rolled up ball of aluminum foil. Dip the foil in the cola and rub the area. It will bring the metal or chrome up to a brilliant shine and remove any oxidation at the same time. If the scratch comes off as you use this method, you have a quick and easy fix to your problem. If you need to buy a bumper scratch repair kit to assist you with a more difficult scratch, then find a recommended brand.
Paintless Auto Repair
What is Paintless Repair?
Paintless Repair, Paintless Dent Repair, PDR... however you phrase it, this new technique has claimed a very large place in today's automobile body repair industry. Paintless repair is a method of making a high-quality repair to small dents and dings on your car's body, at a dent repairedfraction of the time and cost a body shop would require. The process involves using PDR Tools to reach in behind the area of the dent, and slowly "massage" the dent out of the panel. Occasionally, technicians may opt to use a "glue puller," which actually pulls out the dent from the outside of the vehicle panel. Either technique offers a very high-quality repair, at far less cost and time, when compared to older repair methods.
What's the cost?
Paintless Dent Repair normally costs only a fraction of what a body shop might require. Smaller dents are often repaired for $100 or less. Plus, a PDR shop will often give you a discount if more than one dent is to be repaired. Of course, actual pricing will depend upon the severity of your vehicle's damage, the location of the dent, etc. Many times a paintless dent repair shop will provide you with a free estimate of the cost involved. Another important point to remember here is that having those dings removed could pay for itself many times over, with respect to the resale value of your vehicle.
How much time is required for the repair?
Paintless dent repair can be done very quickly and effectively, often taking less than 30 minutes to complete. In fact, much like on-site windshield replacements, paintless repair technicians will often come to you, and make the repairs right on site. Compare this to taking your vehicle to a body shop, leaving it there for several days or longer, having to obtain transportation while your vehicle is gone, then having to travel back to pick it up. Paintless dent repair is your best option for fast, high-quality repairs on most all small dents and dings to your vehicle.
Paintless Repair, Paintless Dent Repair, PDR... however you phrase it, this new technique has claimed a very large place in today's automobile body repair industry. Paintless repair is a method of making a high-quality repair to small dents and dings on your car's body, at a dent repairedfraction of the time and cost a body shop would require. The process involves using PDR Tools to reach in behind the area of the dent, and slowly "massage" the dent out of the panel. Occasionally, technicians may opt to use a "glue puller," which actually pulls out the dent from the outside of the vehicle panel. Either technique offers a very high-quality repair, at far less cost and time, when compared to older repair methods.
What's the cost?
Paintless Dent Repair normally costs only a fraction of what a body shop might require. Smaller dents are often repaired for $100 or less. Plus, a PDR shop will often give you a discount if more than one dent is to be repaired. Of course, actual pricing will depend upon the severity of your vehicle's damage, the location of the dent, etc. Many times a paintless dent repair shop will provide you with a free estimate of the cost involved. Another important point to remember here is that having those dings removed could pay for itself many times over, with respect to the resale value of your vehicle.
How much time is required for the repair?
Paintless dent repair can be done very quickly and effectively, often taking less than 30 minutes to complete. In fact, much like on-site windshield replacements, paintless repair technicians will often come to you, and make the repairs right on site. Compare this to taking your vehicle to a body shop, leaving it there for several days or longer, having to obtain transportation while your vehicle is gone, then having to travel back to pick it up. Paintless dent repair is your best option for fast, high-quality repairs on most all small dents and dings to your vehicle.
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