Leave this dent alone or try to make it better?

[Edistobob]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd like first to try the method least likely to make it any worse. Seems to me that would be the vacuum method; is that correct? What's the worst mistake I could make doing that? Also, twin bed is in that area so removing inside skin is an option I'll save to consider later. If vacuum doesn't work I think the suction cup tool from HF will be my second try. Any particular advice on the vacuum method, particularly since it is on a curved area?

[majorairhead]

I would think the vacuum method challenge would be to keep the seal on the curved area. If that doesn't work, I'd contact some PDR folk.

I've had paintless dent removal (PDR)l done on vehicles, but not aluminum. Many Ford dealerships have access to local aluminum repair people as many new Fords have aluminum bodies. Car dealerships can also hook you up with local PDR guys. If it were mine, I'd have a PDR guy look at it.

[Iansk]

Originally Posted by Edistobob

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd like first to try the method least likely to make it any worse. Seems to me that would be the vacuum method; is that correct? What's the worst mistake I could make doing that? Also, twin bed is in that area so removing inside skin is an option I'll save to consider later. If vacuum doesn't work I think the suction cup tool from HF will be my second try. Any particular advice on the vacuum method, particularly since it is on a curved area?

You could try using luaun or even bendable plywood to match the curve. If using luaun, perhaps make the sheet longer width wise to facilitate bending but keep it just wider than the tube you are using height wise. Make sense?

Of course you’ll need to grow a third hand if you don’t already have one.

Ian

[DaveP]

2X the PDR. It is the lowest risk as it will certainly cause no increase in the damage. It also has the highest probability of giving you a satisfactory results. If you start messing around with the dent, you may make it worse and harder to repair with PDR, IMHO.

My DW's car has an aluminum hood. Her car was damaged in a big hail storm 2 years ago. The PDR method was used on the hood and the results were perfect.

[HowieE]

The inner tube method will work on larger dents. Since you can only approach one atmosphere with that method it will be more effective over a larger area.

If you attempt the suction cup method I would suggest 2 cups one on either side of the crease since you will not get a seal across the crease. If you can seal 2 cups I would not pull on them as much as rotate them outward at the crease.

[hshovic]

I used a toilet plunger to get a similar one out. It does not help the crease, but the dent is much less noticeable. And it was cheap. Little harm in trying.

[tjdonahoe]

Replace the panel.

[2fromtexas]

My hubby had a dent and crease when backing it into storage. A car repair man came to the house and put some glue stuff on them and popped them out. Looks good.

[Mollysdad]

I vote for the paintless dent repair.
The guy will come to you, he has the tools and uses a light with parallel bars to show smooth.
I'd guess he'd start at the taillight to get inside, use a little heat, some massaging, and after that it's magic.

[AlinCal]

You guys are probably right with the first try being PDR, however removing the tail light does not get you behind or between the skins, there us a bucket behind that seals the area.

[Bigventure]

I had a dent just like yours. All it took was a small 1.5 suction cup to pop it out. I use one of those clear vinyl ones that you use to hang stuff from windows.

[Beaubill]

I had a smaller dent and I put a Woodstock yellow decal on it and you don’t see the dent anymore. Had a friend who had a larger dent and we put a large round Red reflector on it, it was on the side so we put another reflecctor on the other side, they looked like they belonged there. You might want to try a larger decal of some type to see if works. Who knows it might work and it will only cost a couple of bucks.$ just something to try

[Edistobob]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I'm talking to a PDR guy on Thursday-sent him some photos today. I've used him in the past for my cars. And I really like Bigventure's comments about the suction cup. Would be really nice if that could work. In any event y'all have given me some really good things to try.

[Night owls]

Ouch! Sorry I don't have any suggestions but just curious as to how that happened?

[Edistobob]

Originally Posted by Night owls

Ouch! Sorry I don't have any suggestions but just curious as to how that happened?

Momentary inattention on my part!

[Edistobob]

Just an update: talked to PDR tech and he is confident that he can get the main indentation out but probably not the crease. I told him I'd be plenty happy with that. So, in a couple of weeks we'll arrange to give that a shot. I'll post a photo of the "after". I'm sure that anything the tech can do will look better than what I'd likely do. BTW, he will be using pull techniques based upon his prior experiences working on Airstreams.

[RedBird64]

If you are a "handy" guy, you might visit Eastwood products. They have a number of dent removal tools for the DIY'fers. Having performed auto restorations, I find Eastwood has a very good selection.

Here's a kit from Amazon....
https://www.amazon.com/Paintless-Dent-Repair-Tools-Kit/dp/B07FQDRFXJ/ref=asc_df_B07FQDRFXJ/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adpositio n}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt= e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocph y=&hvtargid=pla-4584207578537375&psc=1

KenA
'08 VJ-24
MD

[Mx468]

I had a big dent a lot worse on my back corner of my 72 airstream which the PO got quoted $300 to fix but I spent about $11 on a suction cup dent puller and fixed her myself. See link post 9.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f420...ri-156604.html

[MojoRisen]

Look for a metal message tech. They are mobile most of the time and I have used. They will have a set of tools that allow them to apply light tapping outside and holding a plate inside while not dinging the metal surface. They change the plate often to assist in forming the metal shape back to the original They did a very good job on a ding that was a V and it came out perfect. I was amazed. Good luck.

[Bigventure]

The problem with a lot of the suggestions, is dent removal guys need access to the back side. They can reach into fenders and doors. In addition aluminum is not steel. It has different flexibility.