any dabble in pdr/paintless dent repair

[steveo3002]

its something id like to be able to do, even if its just improving tiny dings

wondered if anyone else has had a go and any comments /tips to share ?

 

[ajlelectronics]

tips to share ?

PDR doesn't work on fibreglass.

 

[norsa]

I had a look Steve some time back. It's more about the cost of the tools from what I gathered but it was Franchises give you the right tools and whilst you can buy them individually, the right ones get a bit dear.
Nick

 

[steveo3002]

tools dont seem to rude , ive got a few bits already

just looking to keep my own fleet semi tidy , not looking to be able to do it for a living on nice cars

 

[MikeBs]

But for a tiny ding it can't be that hard. Go watch some serious repairs on YouTube. They are magicians

I’ve had a go a couple of times with small hand tools and it’s the small dings that I found difficult.
The large dents seemed to pop out, but to get the final little bits to straighten is an art. I watched some YouTube vids and like a lot of things, skilled individuals make it look easier than it actually is.
Depends what kind of finish you want I suppose.

 

[Nomad]

My brother is dealer franchise trained (including a couple of weeks training in the States).

He also does some mobile repair work at weekends. I've watch him work on a farmyard driveway and as a layman the tools don't look complicated. Most of it is the skill to use them.

Basic kit from memory - various sizes & shapes of slappers (always handy to have around! ), wedges (to hold door glass away from the rubber and leave an access slot so he can work from above), and a short flourescent tube light with magnetic & suction base (you should get a straight reflection in the panel - if not it hilights the problem area).

Nothing to do with him, a mate runs a small car workshop and taught me to use a kettle of boiling water to reshape bent plastic bumpers, easy to do if body painted bumpers have dents where the paint hasn't broken (carpark bollards etc)

 

[steveo3002]

say a small neat ding...like a marble has hit it , do you press around the edge first or the center?

 

[p0689109]

I was wondering if a small dent can be fixed by first freezing the area so that it shrinks, seeing that the dent will have expanded on impact, and then press it back into its original shape?

 

[Shedendman]

I've been getting into it slowly in spare time,its not as easy as you might think,loads of tuts on youtube,but to be honest,best practice yourself
One of the main things to keep in mind,keep the paint soft or supple last thing you want is to crack or flake it while its cold
I found the line board to be better than a light board,oh and make your own rods SS 8 or 10mm
Again,theres loads of info out there but best found out the hard way,practice

 

[steveo3002]

yeah was wondering if the rods for sale are anything other than bent bar , what tip style do you go for first , you know what one would a newbie be best with ?