Subject: Re: Paintless dent repair
David, please forward this response to the Healey list, for some reason I
cannot seem to post, even though I receive the postings. Thanks R. Harris
Hey
It isn't magic. Guys that are hiding their "trade secret" is nonsense. It's
just very careful manipulation of the tools behind the ding. Leverage is
used to apply various amounts of pressure on the smoothing tool - these
tools come in various lengths, thicknesses and shapes. That is why it is
sometimes difficult to remove a ding that has no inside backing upon which
to lever, like a window or metal inner door or fender panel. Not
imposssible, just a bigger challenge. Progress is measured against various
reflective lined boards that are strategically situated against the car. The
reflected lines on the board look wavy when placed against the dinged car.
As the ding is levered out, the lines on the board begin to straighten out.
When the ding is gone, the lines reflect back perfectly straight.
My friend and fellow Healey owner, Roger Conte, is an absolute genious at
this art. I watched him methodically remove more than 30 door and fender
dings (don't ask) on virtually every body panel of my '68 E-type. It took 5
hours. It wasn't magic, just hard work and a need for absolute perfection on
his part. All the other ding removal guys said it was impossible to work on
an XKE and they refused to bid the job. Obviously, some are more skilled
than others. If you're in the SF Bay Area and want a referral to a true
ding removal guru, contact me off list and I'll forward the contact info.
Randy '66 BJ8, '68 E-type OTS
> Bob -
>
> I have had the paintless guys pull door dings out of
> our Range Rovers (aluminum panels) with success. So I
> imagine if it is pullable, it can be done.
>
> However, I will tell you that one time I thought the
> guy was on the verge of a full meltdown. The dent was
> in the middle of the door panel - and RRover doors are
> very flat. He worked on it for two hours and made no
> less than four calls to his "expert". Seems that the
> door kept springing one way then the next.
>
> Another time, it was 110 degrees outside and the tech
> insisted in working in my garage with the door closed.
> No Open Windows. No Peeking. It must have been 140
> degrees in there. When I opened the door to offer
> some water, you would have thought I walked in on him
> with the neighbors wife.
>
> Why the technique is a secret is beyond me. Locally
> here you can sign up for a tour of the BMW receiving
> warehouse (Oxnard, CA). The new cars are
> "refurbished" after they enter the US. Black cars are
> waxed and dents are removed. In some cases whole cars
> were being painted. One old German master was
> responsible for dent removal. He used long picks that
> looked like a combination of a thick coat
> hangers/fireplace poker to massage the dent from the
> back. I watched him for over an hour. I guess he
> didn't get the memo.
>
> If you do get it done, be sure to watch :)
>
> Dean BN7
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