| Knowing how to gain is access to the dented area | | | | ¼, 3/8, ½, and ¾ inches, but |
| through the routes that are available in the car saves | | | | other technicians insist that this type of access is |
| a great deal of time. | | | | totally unnecessary. |
| Dents to the Hood: | | | | The other area to think about is the roof. In the |
| For the hood, as in the case of dings caused by | | | | case of hailstones, the roof is obviously the hardest |
| hailstones, access is gained through the underside. | | | | hit. Roof work requires that the headliner be dropped. |
| Before going to work under the hood, make sure | | | | Some technicians make it a practice to take the |
| that you secure the hood so that it won't fall while | | | | windshield out if there is excessive roof damage and |
| you're working due to inadequate support. The way | | | | the procedure can take a long time to fully repair |
| you support the hood is by putting something in the | | | | when there are a lot of hail dings. Still, it's better to |
| center to hold it then use two 12-16 inch long bungee | | | | save the money by going with this type of dent |
| cords spaced evenly. Make sure they are secure, as | | | | removal system, rather than the more expensive |
| you don't want any upward movement in the hood. . | | | | dent removal and paintwork. |
| Now, you must take the dent removal tool, slide it | | | | Dings to the Door: |
| through the brace, and use it for leverage, as you | | | | To gain access to the door panel. You have to go |
| need it. | | | | through the reflectors or the water drain holes. You |
| Getting through the underside of the hood requires a | | | | can also use wiring harness channels, or other holes, |
| lot of skill. Sometimes all you have to do is to access | | | | depending on the make or the model. Sometimes the |
| the noise dampening pads and cut through a section | | | | whole door has to be removed to gain access, and |
| to get to the metal. Other times you have to go | | | | determining all of this is where the training skill pays |
| either through or between the brace. To go between | | | | off. Sometimes you have to get in through the |
| the brace, you need a thin blade to cut the caulking, | | | | window area, in which case you insert a piece of |
| and then you can drill through the brace and access | | | | plastic to avoid scratching, and then you gain access |
| the area. | | | | with a wedge like when you have to unlock the |
| From Front to Back: | | | | door, this opens an area about ½ inch wide. |
| For the front and the rear ends, you have to gain | | | | The tricky part here is when pressure must be |
| access through the headlight or taillight assemblies, | | | | applied, because you have to be cautious that you |
| and then gain access through the wells of the wheel | | | | do not break the window. |
| and the ends of the doors. A few technicians insist | | | | So, that is a short intro into the fine art of pointless |
| that they must drill, often the standard sizes being | | | | dent removal on doors, roofs, hoods and panels. |