If you have door-dings, hail damage, creases and dents, then you need to look for paintless dent repair to get your ride back to perfection! The cost of auto body repair can quickly escalate even for these common, seemingly minor cosmetic infractions.
Paint-less dent repair, also known as paint-less dent removal, is the method of removing minor imperfections from vehicles. A wide range of damage on both aluminum and steel can be repaired using this method as long as the paint surface is intact. The method can also be utilized to prepare a damaged panel for repainting by minimizing the use of body filler. This technique is referred to as “push to paint”.
Paint-less dent removal approaches the damaged areas from the inside, which sounds more complicated than it really is. The pros can glance at a vehicle and know what needs to be removed to access the damaged area. And they know how to do it quickly, without costly accidents like breaking a trim panel.
Here’s how they handle repairing those cosmetic dents and dings…
- Examination of the damage
The first step is to inspect the dents to get an idea of the severity of them to determine how best to undertake the repair. They should also take the opportunity to look for any other dents that have been overlooked which can be repaired at the same time.
- Pulling Dents
This is one common method the pros use. Basic dents in the body of your automobile can be pulled back into place using a plunger specifically made for auto body repair. The most important factor is that the mouth of the plunger forms a tight seal against the dented panel. They will carefully attach the plunger to the bodywork and sharply pull it out in an attempt to pop it back into place.
- Pushing Dents
If it’s discovered that the dent is in a panel that can be accessed from the opposite face the technician will be able to push the dent out level the surface back into place. The hood and the trunk door are common areas able to be repaired with this method.
It first requires gaining access to the reverse side of the dented panel and using a rubber mallet to gradually work the dent out until it becomes smooth, making sure to keep an eye on the integrity of the metal as they go.
When is paint-less dent repair not an option?
Limiting factors for a successful repair include the flexibility of the paint and the extent to which the metal has been stretched by the damage. This depends on the thickness of the metal, the curvature or flatness where the damage occurred and the intensity of the impact. Generally speaking, the shallower the dent, the greater the likelihood of paint-less dent repair being a suitable option. Even dents several inches in diameter can be repaired by this method as long as the metal and paint are not stretched. Most experienced technicians can repair a shallow large dent or crease to an acceptable level, but very sharp dents and creases may not be suitable for this method.
If you’re searching for a reputable source for your repairs The Ace Group can recommend a wide selection of providers to fit your needs.