Have you ever wished you could remove those bothersome dents from your vehicle without the need for complex tools or expensive repairs? Paintless dent repair (PDR) with the glue pulling method allows you to do just that! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of DIY paintless dent repair using the glue pulling method, enabling you to restore your vehicle's original shape all by yourself!
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Begin by assessing the dent to determine if it is suitable for the glue pulling method. This technique works best for minor dents, such as those caused by hail, door dings, or small accidents. Check the size, depth, and location of the dent to ensure it falls within the scope of DIY repair. How do you know? Great question! Imagine you have a block of clay. This will represent our metal panel. If you grabbed a pen and stabbed the clay, it would make a relatively small but very deep indent. This is the type of damage that the glue pulling method will NOT work well on. Now, imagine that same block of clay, and push the back of a spoon into it. This will create a much larger dent, but one that is not stressed in any one particular section. These are the best candidates for the glue pulling method! Bigger softer dents vs smaller sharper dents!
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Tools
To perform paintless dent repair using the glue pulling method, you will need a few essential tools. These include a glue gun, glue sticks, a dent pulling tabs (important!) a way to pull them, rubbing alcohol, and a clean microfiber cloth. These tools are all available here on FMOD
For pulling, there are two main methods: Hand lifter and slide hammer. One looks like a little hand squeeze lifter, and the other is a weight that slides on a bar and hits a stop at the back, sending a shock to the pulling tab, and ultimately, the dent. They are both super useful and we recommend you get both. Use the hand lifter when it's feet sit fully outside the damage, and use the slide hammer when the dent is larger than the hand lifter. These are just suggestions as you can interchange them on different panels and dents.
Choose the proper pulling tab. Our kits all come with an assortment of pulling tabs. You must choose one that is about 1/3 smaller than the dented area you are repairing if its a smaller type dent. If it's a larger dent, try and use the LARGEST tab that will cover one of the impact zones that caused the damage.
Step 3: Prepare the Surface and Apply the Glue
Plug in your glue gun now and load it with a glue stick. It will take a few minutes to warm up. Clean the area in and around the dent using rubbing alcohol (must use 90% or stronger, 70% won't work) and a microfiber cloth to remove any dirt or debris. Once the surface is clean and dry, grab that glue gun! Apply a small amount of hot glue to the dent pulling tab starting in the center, being careful to avoid gaps in the glue pattern, quickly affix it to the center of the dent. Allow the glue to cool and harden for a few moments. This is key: DO NOT WAIT too long. When you can touch the glue that is peeking out on the edges with toothpick or similar and it doesn't stick to the item, it's ready to pull! If it's too cold or hot in your working area, you will get subpar results. Optimal temps are 70-80f.
Step 4: Pull and Massage the Dent
Once the glue has hardened, firmly grasp the dent lifter or slide hammer and give it a solid purposeful PULL. When applying pressure with the slide hammer, keep the pulling direction perpendicular to the surface. A few degrees off to one side or the other will break the bond before it moves the metal. The glue will act as an adhesive, gradually pulling the dent back into shape. Continue this process, alternating between pulling and massaging the dent with a nylon tapping tool until the desired result is achieved. It is completely normal for the process to take 5-20 "pulls" to get the dent to a point that you are happy with it.
Conclusion:
With the glue pulling method, you can effectively remove minor dents from your vehicle using DIY paintless dent repair techniques. By assessing the damage, gathering the necessary tools, preparing the surface, applying the glue, and carefully pulling and massaging the dent, you can restore your vehicle's appearance with minimal effort. Remember, this method is most suitable for small dents and requires patience and precision. Enjoy the satisfaction of a dent-free vehicle without the need for professional assistance or costly repairs. Remember, though that this is more of an art than a science! Be careful, patient and consistent and you can have great results!
BONUS TIP: Do your best to avoid using the plastic scraping tool that we include in the kits. The glue is best removed chemically using your 90% rubbing alcohol (available at a regular drug store). Just lift the edge of the glue enough to get a single drop of alcohol in there, then be patient as it breaks the bond and slowly releases the glue! The scraper can damage the paint if you actually "scrape" with it!