Taking a dent out?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Enid America
Taking a dent out?
Ok, so I was pulling into my spot today, and I was being dumb and not paying attention to the passenger side. I turned into a pole and put a big *** dent into the bed of the truck, right behind the cab in front of the rear wheel. What's the best way to go about fixing this? I was thinking just reaching up with a dead blow or rubber mallet and hammering it out. It looks like I have a clear path to reach almost all the way to the top of the dent.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
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From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Do you collision insurance..? I don't think you think you will be happy unless it is repaired by a expert.. Repainting is a possibly too.. You might get lucky though.. it might just pop out..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
The problem with a dent is you stretch the steel. When you pound it back you're likely stretching it more. What you need is a good hammer and dolly man who has "shrinking hammers" and the right tools. A shrinking hammer (not sure if that's the right word) has a waffle face similar to a framing hammer. It creates a waffle like texture as it takes the metal which is too big in 2 dimensions and tries to bring it to the right size by adding depth.
Try beating it with a rubber or leather mallet. Maybe a dead blow. Maybe pry on a 2x4 and try to push it?
Try beating it with a rubber or leather mallet. Maybe a dead blow. Maybe pry on a 2x4 and try to push it?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
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From: Southern Colorado
If it's a shallow, broad dent, you may be able to pop it out with your fist or a rubber mallet. If it's a deeper dent with a hard kink in the metal, you can use 2x4s and a small jack and slowly jack it out. You'll always be able to see where it was dented, but how bad it is and how much it bothers you will dictate what to do next.
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Freshman User
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From: Enid America
Yea, I figured as much with the size of it. It's not very deep, and there aren't any hard creases in the metal. I think with a little bit of force it'll pop right back into shape, no harm, no foul. Any one ever use one of those suction cup dent pullers?
Posting Guru
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From: Morehead, Ky.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Buckingham, IA
You could try using a small inner tube put "perpendicular" to the space behind the dent. Put a board on the back side so you don't bend what you don't want to, line the tube up with the center of the dent and slowly add air. Trying to keep the tube from rolling may be a problem. The tube would be softer than a hammer and shouldn't add any more to the dent. I wonder if parking the dent in the sun so the metal would be warmer would help any?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Enid America
Yup, here's a few pictures. Hopefully you can see what it really is like from these pics. If not, let me know.
Oh, and that's just paint from the pole. It mostly comes off with water.
Oh, and that's just paint from the pole. It mostly comes off with water.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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It won't pop out completely , pretty badly creased .. it can be repaired though .. I just did this one :
I pressed most of it out with a porta power , & finished the rest of the dent with paintless dent tool's & a little filler...
I pressed most of it out with a porta power , & finished the rest of the dent with paintless dent tool's & a little filler...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 775
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From: Williamston, MI
PDR (paintless dent removal) is amazing. I had it done to my truck a while back. A few smaller dents in various locations. Can't tell it was ever dented.
That one does look like a challenge beyond PDR though
That one does look like a challenge beyond PDR though