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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

What's the best way of removing small dents that can't be knocked out from the inside? I believe there is a product that consists of suction pads. I understand these can be used to "pull out" dents from the outside.....

Any ideas, please...

[aaronjb]

You could try the dry ice and heat trick (or compressed air upside down followed by heat) - though I don't know anyone who has made that work outside of YouTube videos..

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

You could try the dry ice and heat trick (or compressed air upside down followed by heat) - though I don't know anyone who has made that work outside of YouTube videos..

How does that work, Aaron?.....

[aaronjb]

Apparently (so I've read, anyway!) the thermal shock makes the panel ping back to it's original shape.. something like that anyway.

What I saw implied that you used dry ice (or a can of compressed air upside down so all you get is cold propellant) to freeze the dent, then hit it with hot air from a hair dryer or similar and it pops right out.

There are, of course, also lots of youtube videos showing it not working

I suspect the only really effective way - if you really can't get behind it (where is it?) - is a stud welder/screw and a slide hammer..

[cem_devecioglu]

apparently here they generally use knocking from inside technique.. and on some places where it cant be knocked , they use hot silicone pulling technique.. but requires some experience and a good paint or you will tear the paint ..

[cem_devecioglu]

like this one
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JprFshq2A

[albitz]

Mobile smart repair type outfit is the way to go imo.

[aaronjb]

Mobile smart repair type outfit is the way to go imo.

Yeah, that's why I said 'if you really can't get behind it' - there aren't many places those paintless dent guys can't get to somehow.. but there are some (say where a reinforcing box section runs behind the panel)

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Are these suction cups any good? Mrs. Opti found them on EBay

http://tinyurl.com/cka5rd9

[woodoo]

They are good only for bigger dents >70mm, and they just pulls out dent, but it still needs some work to look perfect.

Dry ice works only on Japanese and China cars, as metal is thin on these. Tried same method on my omega and it didn't worked.

This one is for smaller dents, anyway i have never tried it, so can't say is it really works.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Car-Bodywork-Panel-Dent-Puller-Tool-Ding-Remover-Repair-Kit-/330618864587?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4cfa6b83cb

The best thing is to get something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-pc-PAINTLESS-DENT-REMOVAL-REPAIR-TOOLS-DVD-/120807499352?pt=UK_Body_Shop_Supplies_Paint&hash=item1c20b02658
and do it from inside, if you can't get inside just drill a small hole on inside panel.

[cem_devecioglu]

Are these suction cups any good? Mrs. Opti found them on EBay

http://tinyurl.com/cka5rd9

for some jobs it may be ok (bigger area) .. but they use many different kinds of tools to shape..
 
imo, it really requires hand practice  and wide variety of tools.. not a suitable task for DIY Opti

[woodoo]

Best practice is to get old bonnet, dent it and try to repair, try different dents and different places, and do it many times. There are so much guides how to use these tools and how to repair small dents, so if you really interested you will learn it easily. The main thing for small round dents is never start pushing them from middle, always start from side and work only on half of dent. As i said internet is the best place for information and practice is the key to perfection 

[Carfix]

Never tried dent removal myself but I did get a professional to sort out various dings in one of my Omega's when I bought it.

Can say they earn their money. It took a few hours and the result was brilliant. 

They are armed with an amazing amount of specialist tools which can get behind panels and the way they manipulate them is a wonder to behold.

[TheBoy]

How many people read the title, and thought this thread was about banning the ex-Omega owning bob.dent

[Osprey]

A good few years ago I hired a Xsara Picasso while on holiday in France.  A local leaned gently on the passenger door as he was chatting to a friend and the door skin collapsed as if it was made from baking foil.  To avoid hassle, I borrowed a sink plunger and pulled it out with that  .  The job was rubbish but good enough to get the car handed back with no issues.