Has a hail storm placed countless dents all over your car? Does the thought of how much a body shop will charge to remove those dents give you a headache? Fear not, there are a few simple tips and tricks you can use to eliminate most of the dents or maybe even all of them.
Instructions
1. First thing you want to do is get yourself a space heater, blow dryer, heat gun or anything you can use to produce steady consistent heat. To make the process even easier move the car into a warm covered area like a garage.
2. Now that you have everything you need, direct the heat source at the dents. Apply the heat to the dents in intervals by moving the heat source closer to the dent and then away from the car repeating as necessary.
The quick change from cold to hot will cause the metal to expand and the dents will literally just "pop" out all most effortlessly.
3. If you have waited until summer to deal with the dents in you car or it just is not that cold outside you can substitute the atmospheric temperature with dry ice. Keep in mind that dry ice is extremely cold carbon dioxide that is kept frozen at -78.5 degrees Celsius or -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the proper tools take the dry ice and place it on the dent for about 60 to 90 seconds. Remove the dry ice and direct the artificial heat source mentioned earlier to the affected area in intervals to minimize damage to the paint. Again the rapid change in temperature will cause the metal to expand "popping" the dent out.
4. If the dry ice method does not work then you will need to manually remove the dents with a hammer. Take a hammer, preferably a ball and peen hammer, and if it is possible hit the dent from the other side. You will have to put some muscle into it for larger dents but be careful not to start swinging wildly, you may add unnecessary dents to the car.
5. If that is not an option because there are things in the way like panels, molding etc. then you will also need a drill with a small metal drill bit, a spot welder, locking pliers and nails or screws. If you can get behind the dent, drill a small hole in the center of the dent and push a nail or screw through the hole.
6. With the head of the screw or nail on the inside of the car take the locking pliers and secure them to the shaft of the nail or screw and pull the dent out.
7. If the dent is difficult to get behind take a nail or screw and spot weld it to the center of the dent. Once the nail or screw is secure pull the dent out with the locking pliers. After the dent has been removed cut the nail or screw off and sand the remainder of the screw or nail down.
Tags: nail screw, heat source, locking pliers, cause metal, cause metal expand, center dent, metal expand
