Removing Small Dents From TM Body & Roof

Well,after lots of research on this forum and a little experimentation of my own,I have come to conclude that small dents in the TM skin can be IMPROVED with the RIGHT tool to look better than BEFORE!

I tried two different tools,a suction cup and a Motor UP "Pops-a-Dent" Puller.The suction cup did not work but the puller did.Here's what I used to experiment on.I found the 7"x9" sample piece of aluminum with polystyrene sandwiched inbetween that was given to me when I bought my trailer.I put my knee in the center and pushed down with all my weight to form a "SHALLOW" knee impression.I then tried to pop it out with a 4" suction cup with a little water to form a tighter seal,NO LUCK AT ALL.

I then tried my Motor Up "Pops-a-Dent" puller.First,I put a glue stick in the electric glue gun chamber and plugged it in to let it heat up for five minutes.Second,I selected the correct size glue pad and stem to match the dent.Third,I liberaly applied the glue to the bottom of the glue pad,pushed it on directly over the dent and let it set for 8 minutes per instructions.Finally,I put the pulling bridge and knob on the stem and tightened the knob until the glue pad and stem popped off and WHAALAAH.The dent was ATLEAST 75% REMOVED.I can not feel it anymore.The only way you can see where it used to be is if you look across the panel at an angle in the right amount of lighting.

I am very pleased with the results and plan on using it on my TM roof.I would think that since it greatly improved a knee impression it would definately improve slight hail dimples too or any dent that has not CREASED OR STRETCHED the aluminum significantly.

Anyway,I just wanted to share my experience with this tool and recommend it to anyone interested in improving the appearance of their dents.Take your time and follow the instructions and you should be pleased with the results.

Let me know how it works on small dents. Like the size of a dime. I thought once you had a small dent you had to live with it. Thanks for the tip. Robert

Originally Posted by TrailGuy77

Well,after lots of research on this forum and a little experimentation of my own,I have come to conclude that small dents in the TM skin can be IMPROVED with the RIGHT tool to look better than BEFORE!

...

Anyway,I just wanted to share my experience with this tool and recommend it to anyone interested in improving the appearance of their dents.Take your time and follow the instructions and you should be pleased with the results.

If you have to go through all that for each individual hail dent, you're in for a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of glue.

Also, I'm wondering how well the glue comes off.

Neat, though, that there seems to be a way to get some dents out. Thanks for sharing.

Robert,I will let you know in a week or so after I get my TM back from the dealer.I am going to use it on a couple of small dents in my roof and one to the right of my door.

Larry,I agree with you on hail damage.It would require alot of time and patience,which most of us don't have.The glue comes off 100% CLEAN.It only seems to stick to the bottom of the glue pad (where it should) but somehow provides enough adhesion to the TM skin to pop the dent out!

Temperature of the glue,the TM skin,thickness applied and dwell time have a BIG impact on adhesion.The hotter it is,the better the glue pad sticks!

I have a crease about 6 inches long and about 1/16 deep. I don't think I can do much about that one.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by PopBeavers

I have a crease about 6 inches long and about 1/16 deep. I don't think I can do much about that one.

You could put a tiny line of 3M 5200 on the crease, put some mineral spirits on your finger and smooth it out. It will smooth out and blend it nicely.

The 5200 dries to almost the identical color of the TM finish. It's UV resistant and will not come off. Make sure that everything is clean (including your finger). It takes 24 hrs to skin over, a week to cure 90% and 30 days to cure 100%.

If you don't like the way that it looks, wipe it off with a rag with mineral spirits on it. You will have an hour to decide. Do it again until you achieve the desired result.

I have a small dent/scatch about 6" what kind of paint can I use? It's the basic off white TM color.Thanks who ever can help me.

I purchashed Rust-Oleum semigloss protective enamel from Walmat. It matches perfectly. Only notice the difference if you note the tape lines, so feather accordingly.