Lesson 32

EXERCISE 4: BASIC DENT REMOVAL

You must achieve the Outcomes below to be assessed as competent in Exercise 3.

Use the body panel allocated to you to create some micro highs and lows. Now use the below instructions to practice removing these.

• Removing Micro Lows

Practice is required. Too little pressure and the LOW will not lift, too much pressure and you’ve created a HIGH. The answer is practice, practice and more practice.

First polish the damaged panel; this helps you see the damage easier. Practice lows can be made by a ball hammer or snooker ball protected by a couple of layers of cloth. Try and avoid damage over braces. Circle your damage, start with a small one, you will see that a dent the size of a 5 pence coin has caused damage to an area of a 10 pence piece. Choose a rod that is long enough to reach the dent without extending too far out from the panel. Slide the rod through the “S” hook and check when the dent is located you feel “comfortable”.

Most problems can be avoided by knowing exactly where the tip is situated and using just the correct amount of pressure….all things that can only be learned by practice and patience.

Do not be discouraged if your first dents don’t come out perfectly, do your best and move on to the next one. With practice you can master it and wonder why you once found it difficult. Should you feel frustrated and getting tense, take a break and start again later.

If, after five or so dents you are still having problems, go back to DOTS & X’s. Check you are reading the dents correctly, finding the tool tip in the light.

Don’t cheat – learn the basics and the rest will come more easily.

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Now try the CLOCK METHOD, imagine a clock face around the dent, 12 o’clock being the top of the repair, 6 o’clock being nearest you. Start working the dent as 12 o’clock, 11, 1, 10, 2, 9 & 3. This will make the dent smaller and appear to move the dent towards you. Now start at 6 o’clock, 5, 7, 4, 8, 9 & 3. The dent should now be back in centre and much smaller. Now start again at 12 o’clock, this time slightly closer to the centre. Remember to work on the outer edge of the damaged area. Don’t move into the centre or work too quickly.

Assessment of Removal of Micro-lows using ‘Clock Method’

Description e.g. bonnet, wing, door etc	Rating
	70%	80%	90%	100%
Dent 1:
Dent 2:
Dent 3:
Dent 4:
Dent 5:

This document is protected by copyright. You may not copy this document or any portions thereof. This document contains trade secrets and in order to protect them you not disassele or decompile this document. You may not modify, adapt, translate, sell, distribute or create derivative works based upon this docume or any part thereof. Title, ownership rights and intellectual property rights in and to this document belongs to DentDoctor Head Office and its directors.

• Removing Micro Highs

Most highs you will find will be MICRO HIGHS you have created removing LOWS, however it is necessary to learn how to deal with them. HIGHS are removed by tapping from the surface, great care must be taken not to damage the paint work, protect your hammer face or punch with tape.

Use the light to locate the high and lightly tap the top of the high. Hit too hard and you created another low, do this too often and you cause the metal to RIPPLE. It’s always easier to tap again two or three times than to correct the damage having hit too hard.

Use the same “Clock Method”. Check that you’re lowering the high to the level of the metal and not below it. Use your light from all directions and check your progress regularly.

Assessment of Removal of Micro-highs using ‘Clock Method’

Description e.g. bonnet, wing, door etc	Rating
	70%	80%	90%	100%
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:

Once you’ve practiced on HIGHS & LOWS and you feel comfortable removing them it is time to start on cars………you are the only person who will know when you feel confident and ready to start.