DIY: Dent Removal with a Hair Dryer & Compressed Air

bmwMcrzy · 19th July 2012, 02:18

Has anyone tried this before?
How good were your result(s)?
Is this a good idea for the paint & clearcoat?

M5thoughts · 19th July 2012, 03:28

I haven't tried this, but have tried dry ice on a roasting hot day w/no results on dents that were definitely repairable by a pdr guy (not on the M5). I'd say it's a comparable idea, the dry ice is just much colder than the compressed air, and lasts longer...

threepedals · 19th July 2012, 03:34

Do I dare?

SidekickChuck · 19th July 2012, 03:45

Works on very thin sheet metal but I dont think it will work on our cars and it doesnt work on older cars with thicker metal panels.

threepedals · 19th July 2012, 03:54

UPDATE: Don't waste your compressed air.

bmwMcrzy · 19th July 2012, 03:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by threepedals

UPDATE: Don't waste your compressed air.

Why, did you try it?

threepedals · 19th July 2012, 03:57

Yup. Just stepped out and tried it. But there is always the possibility that it was human error.

JoeFromPA · 19th July 2012, 17:07

I've tried this on thin metal with an aged ding and it did nothing. However, it can be effective as seen in a few videos. There's a few things to consider.

The larger the surface area of the dent/ding, the more metal contraction you'll get where it wants to return to it's original shape. A small, deep ding won't change, but a wider shallow dent may pop.

The other part is age I believe - like most things, the longer the metal remains stretched the less it wants to return to it's original shape. I have read this - I'm not a body panel guy, I don't know that for certain.

Lastly is how you do it. I've watched videos of it being done where someone has a hair drier in one hand and the compressed air in the other ready to go. That person is getting maximal heat differences. Other videos show someone taking 15 seconds between hair drier and liquid CO2.

Anyway, long story short is it appears to work occasionally. I say give it a try before going to PDR.

Sailor24 · 19th July 2012, 18:13

Looking at the multiple vids on the topic seems to work well where there is a crease but not too well on a flat panel.

POOFY · 19th July 2012, 18:13

Airplane mechanics use dry ice and a heat gun. The process is metal contraction and expansion. As stated in previous post, all variables related to metalic properties will affect your results but its worth a shot. I have been able to reduce the size of a dent but have not been able to remove one. As far as the paint, any time you create movement there is a chance of separation although I have never had a problem the handfull of times I have tried it.