Exercise

In this module we’ll practice removing a dent in a braced area.

Items Needed

To get started, you’ll need the following materials:

  • Hood Stand 

  • Dent Light 

  • Automobile Hood 

  • Bungee Cords/Ratchet Straps

  • Dent Hammer and Knockdown Tool

  • Various Hand Tools

  • Glue Cutter

  • China Marker

  • Tennis Ball

  • Large Screwdriver

  • Duct Tape

 

Part 1: Create the Dent

Locate an area that has a brace, preferably in the middle portion of the hood. Hold your hand where you need to make the dent on the surface and mark a dot with a marker. Make one soft round ding. 

Let’s take a moment and look under the hood at the braces. If you look closely, you will see one of two things; a big glob of glue every few inches or a bead of glue running in between the hood skin and the brace.  The reason for the glue drops or bead of glue is to not only keep the brace and skin separated but to reinforce the area as well. If the head of glue or glob of glue is in the direct path of where you need to work to repair the ding, use your glue cutter to remove the glue. Now, on to the repair!

 

Part 2: Understanding the Tools

What’s really different? Only one thing – the type of tool you’re using. That’s it! Unlike the previous exercise where you were using a large dent rod in the open area, this time you will be working in a tight enclosed area within the bracing. Let’s review the different tools you’ll be using in the following video.

 

Brace Tools (Left & Right)

Brace Pry Tool

Whale Tail

As you saw, the “Hand” tools or “Brace” tools that you will be using on the repair differ slightly from the larger dent rods. Besides the obvious, the size, “Hand” tools are used in either a prying motion or a twisting motion, depending on the tool.  A “Whale Tail” is never to be used by prying, just twisting.

Part 3: Remove the Dent

1

Similar to our previous exercise, once you have successfully found the tip in the dent at the deepest point, slowly and gently apply pressure to bring the spot up. Depending on the depth of the dent, you may not be able to move this first spot above level. You will need to do this in stages.

2

Once you have moved the first spot, determine, via the contrasting shades, which is now the deepest spot. Move to that spot and repeat the push process. Continue repeating this process until the dent is inverted into a smooth “dome”.

3

At this point you will use your knock down to gently tap the highs down out of the dent, leveling the area out.

Repeat this exercise at least 5 times
with a new dent each time.

Part 4: Cross Check a Dent

Once you have “finished” a dent from the first angle you worked it, it is then very important to turn your light and yourself 90 degrees to check the dent from another angle. A dent will typically “hide” imperfections that can only be seen from another angle. It is necessary to cross check a dent from multiple angles to assure as smooth of a repair as possible. Review the video below to learn more.

Stop here and go back to each of the dents you repaired in the open areas and in the braced areas to cross check them.

Essential Skills

Another module completed! You’re one step closer to paintless dent repair mastery. I bet you can almost see your first job on the horizon! Whatever and wherever it is, you’ll likely have at least one small hurdle standing between you and that first pay check: the actual job application! 

Before you can get a job, you have to apply! That’s the process of completing some initial paperwork for a potential employer. It expresses your interest in the job and gives them a little background info about you. It can feel a little scary the first time, but don’t let it! To get those jitters out of the way, we have a practice application for you to complete.

Access the PDF below and take a moment to fill it out. 

Please Complete the Lessons Below in Order to Proceed

Click on ‘Show What You Know!’ and  ‘Knowledge Check’ below then mark each complete in order to proceed in the training.