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05-21-2010, 09:30 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2009 25' SS International
Pasadena
, California
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 156
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DIY dent puller kit
Hello
I have a dent - not across seems, no scratch, no crease... Sorry can't post a picture from my phone...
Will a dent puller kit like this one damage the coating of the exterior? 08 ccd
Save on Dent Fix PK100 at ToolTopia.com
thanks!
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05-21-2010, 09:40 PM
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#2
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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I think I would try suction before I would use a product that glues to the surface. The product mentions OEM baked surfaces like automotive paint but Im not sure about our clearcoat. For $299.00 I would let one of the professional guys have a crack at it and see if they can atleast make it better. We use these guys every day at the dealership. Its amazing what they can do pushing out a dent from behind but might be different when pulling from the outside. Give em a call or contact a local car dealer and see who they use..
Vin
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05-23-2010, 10:18 AM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2009 25' SS International
Pasadena
, California
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 156
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the kit is $230 and my wife has a dent in her car too... and then there is the convenience of doing it when i have time not wait for some dent guy to show up.
it can't be pushed from behind because of the double wall structure...
what do others do with their dent ?
thanks !
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05-23-2010, 10:44 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flmgrip
what do others do with their dent ?
thanks !
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In the absence of photo's.
Most owners do 2 things.
1. They call their insurance company.
2. They then take the coach to an Airstream dealer that has a reputation of doing top notch sheet metal work, to have the dented area corrected.
Andy
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05-24-2010, 07:54 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2009 25' SS International
Pasadena
, California
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 156
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
In the absence of photo's.
Most owners do 2 things.
1. They call their insurance company.
2. They then take the coach to an Airstream dealer that has a reputation of doing top notch sheet metal work, to have the dented area corrected.
Andy
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Yes and no... It depends on your (or my) deductible for one
for two - I'm not sure if I want the panel to be replaced if I don't have to... It's not leaking now and do I want to take a chance?
Also the hassle to deal with insurance and dropping and picking up the trailer...
Keyair... Have you had any issues with the clearcoat and your pullhammer? I asume the glue is somewhat similar...
Thanks
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05-24-2010, 08:51 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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The aluminum skin on an Airstream is much harder and stiffer than sheet metal on cars these days. I think I'd pay someone with experience rather than buy a took that you will only need once and most likely won't work.
Also, the paintless dent removal tools that the guys at the dealerships use to remove door dinks and hail damage don't do very well on aluminum. I had a guy work on a few on my Trade Wind and the aluminum just won't work like steel. Also, because it is so hard the guy had trouble getting enough leverage to move the metal. Bottom line, don't waste you time with that option.
I agree with Andy, call the insurance comp. and have someone who knows what they are doing fix it the right way.
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05-25-2010, 01:57 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Have not used the kit yet, been bust fixing other stuff, but in my case my clearcoat is toast, and is coming off in the future, so not worried about it at all.
My guess is that it would be better stuck to the skin thanmultiple layers of paint!
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06-07-2010, 08:25 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
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Finally got to using the kit...
It worked pretty good!
Only problem I have had is the heat... its been pretty warm here, and I have no shade to work in, so the glue does not really harden, so the tabs pop off before I can get the the pull finished.
Gonna try it on morning this week while its cooler..
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06-07-2010, 08:41 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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I have the cheap $25 hot melt puller kit. I have branch and hail damage on my 63. The 63 does not have clear coat and has a moderate polish job. The dent puller system did not work well on the aluminum that was stretched due to hail or tree limbs. It did pull out areas that were just caved in by bending. I tried it on a 2005 with hail damage. It worked to pull out the outer edges of the cave in but not the center where the aluminum was stretched. I did use a suction cup to pull out a cave in a lower panel on a 1989 caused by backing into something small. The repairs improved the looks a bit but not up to the standard of a good dealer achieves by replacing panels, but it is a lot cheaper.
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