What Is Paintless Dent Removal?
Paintless dent removal, often referred to as “PDR”, is a method for removing minor dents and dings from the body of a car, van, caravan or any other vehicle. Using PDR glue tabs and other paintless dent removal tools, a wide range of damage can be repaired.
Dent repair (specifically car dent repair and caravan dent repair) can include a wide range of services, but the most common uses of PDR are for repairing car door dings, hail damage, minor body creases and minor bumper indentations. There are limiting factors for a successful repair, though – the flexibility of the paint and the amount of metal stretched by the damage. Extremely sharp dents may not be repairable, but a very skilled dent repair technician may surprise you!
PDR with glue, or glue pulling, is an alternative to “tapping”, which involves tapping the dent out from the inside of the vehicle panel. Although this method is more established than glue pulling, glue PDR has the advantage of being more precise and effective, as well as being compatible with both aluminium and steel doors. Using this technique also makes it easier to correct dents in hard to reach areas.
How does it work?
PDR glue and specially designed PDR tabs are attached to the outside of the panel and then used to pull the dents out. Fine-tuning of the repair also involves tapping down the repair to shrink the metal and make the surface flat.
We’ve provided a step by step process to glue pulling below, but remember that it should only be practiced by qualified technicians.
- Hot glue is applied to to the glue tab.
- The tab is applied to the dent and the glue is left to cool for 45-60 seconds.
- A car dent remover tool is applied to the tab.
- The tab is pulled and manipulated using this apparatus.
- The tab is then released from the car with a special spray (such as Melt-O-Clean) and the glue is removed.
This video is a good illustration of the way PDR works.
What is the best Glue gun used for field work?
The B-Tec range of battery glue guns are now the most popular PDR tools with technicians. The main reason PDR technicians use the battery glue guns is their portability and reliability. Gas-powered tools can be temperamental during the colder months resulting in ignition failures! B-Tec battery tools are robust compact hot melt glue guns and are designed to work with Ryobi batteries, however, you can buy a Badaptor to run the tool on Bosch, Dewalt, Makita or Milwaukee batteries.
Best glue sticks for PDR work?
Tecbond hot melt glue sticks are medium setting & strength, general-purpose adhesive exhibiting high viscosity with Light Blue and Black grades used extensively. Strength to pop the dent with the ability to snap off cleanly
Red, Light Green & Yellow colours have been added to the PDR glue stick range.
Is there a glue gun that works on 12V DC electricity supply
Yes, the Tec PDR-12V is a brand new tool designed to run on a 12 volt (10 amp), direct current electricity supply. Lightweight and cost-effective, it is designed to plug into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter plug and used to complete paintless dent repairs in a way that’s fast and easy for the user. The 12V (10 amp) car accessory socket provides enough current to deliver a continuous, reliable power source while the repairs are being carried out. The tec PDR-12V also comes fitted with a 3-metre power cable to ensure good mobility and enable access to damaged areas of the vehicle. The tec-PDR-12V can even be used for trim repairs on boats, caravans and cars with a 12V (10 amp) battery.
Why buy from gluegunsdirect.com?
With over 40 years of gluing knowledge and experience we are challenged on a daily basis to find the answer to various adhesive problems and new applications. You will be amazed at what we have been asked to bond and the majority of the time we have surprised ourselves by providing the answer to some very difficult adhesive problems. Gluegunsdirect.com offer a comprehensive range of market-leading adhesives technologies, technical support and training, UK stock holding across three warehouses and delivery when the customer needs it. We are the complete adhesive package!
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