popping out dents?

[ansys]

Anyone ever try removing dents in their car using boiling water and a plunger? Any success?

Is there any chance this might damage/crack the paint?

I've heard this isn't the best method for some older cars, anyone ever try this on an old SW20?

Are there any other simple DIY methods out there?

Cheers!

[MIKEP]

Hot Water and a plunger are old school but yup ive done it. Also a slide hammer with a plunger on works

It depends how big a dent you have . Some are impossible to do with plungers and you need an Air Fist to do them.

[ClanFever]

Where's the dent, how big? Can you give us some pics? Can show my panel beater mate and he may be able to give some advice for alley way type work

[MIKEP]

Thanks for the PMs guys .this is an air fist


https://www.amazon.com/LTI-Tools-LT800- ... B000RT8FZG

They work really well.I have had mine for years

I also have one of these which are really easy to use

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FD51VEK

[ansys]

It's just above the plastic strip above the vents on the left side of the car. The size is about if I were to punch the car. I've attached a photo as well.
Cheers!

[ansys]

would the boiling water have a negative effect on the plastic trim in that area? or rather, any adhesive that may be keeping the trim on?

[GDII]

would the boiling water have a negative effect on the plastic trim in that area? or rather, any adhesive that may be keeping the trim on?

That trim is bolted and clipped to the car so no affect on the glue because there isn't any. Boiling water shouldn't affect it too badly however this dent can be pooped out from inside the car.
Just pop up the lid on the box behind the seat, remove some push clips on the base of the side panel by the carpet (if they are still there) remove the side panel, remove the seat belt and stereo amplifiers if your car has them and push out the dent.

EDIT: Well that's all completely BS. It is double skinned...

[MIKEP]

Just pop up the lid on the box behind the seat, remove some push clips on the base of the side panel by the carpet (if they are still there) remove the side panel, remove the seat belt and stereo amplifiers if your car has them and push out the dent

YUp what he said. That one looks easy peasy

[ansys]

I had a go at the plunger thing and no luck. While I could see the plunger tugging at the panel, the size of it didn't seem to be right for the job.

I also had a go from the inside. I don't think there is any easy way to access the exterior panel from the inside as it seems like it almost has a double layer of metal in that area? Also, the dent seems to be just on the other side of where the interior space ends (if that makes sense) The dent is just above where that rubbery bit from the intake vents is. I feel like if I could remove that rubbery extension of the vent, then I could get my hand behind the dent. This is starting to feel like too much effort for the reward though...

[85AW20v]

...however this dent can be pooped out from inside the car......

Where that dent is, I thought it might be a bit of a shit to get at....

[GDII]

...however this dent can be pooped out from inside the car......

Where that dent is, I thought it might be a bit of a shit to get at....

You love my English skills.

[GDII]

I had a go at the plunger thing and no luck. While I could see the plunger tugging at the panel, the size of it didn't seem to be right for the job.

I also had a go from the inside. I don't think there is any easy way to access the exterior panel from the inside as it seems like it almost has a double layer of metal in that area? Also, the dent seems to be just on the other side of where the interior space ends (if that makes sense) The dent is just above where that rubbery bit from the intake vents is. I feel like if I could remove that rubbery extension of the vent, then I could get my hand behind the dent. This is starting to feel like too much effort for the reward though...

Yeah I was wrong, that area is double skinned.

[4CylinderSpecial]

Hey. Have a similar dent on my mr2. Smaller than yours but still there. Managed to take off side intake piece and move rubber out of way and could access the dent. Pushed it out with fingers and is tiny and doesn't catch light now. With a proper tool you could likely flatten it out. If it is double skinned it's quite thin material.

[GDII]

Hey. Have a similar dent on my mr2. Smaller than yours but still there. Managed to take off side intake piece and move rubber out of way and could access the dent. Pushed it out with fingers and is tiny and doesn't catch light now. With a proper tool you could likely flatten it out. If it is double skinned it's quite thin material.

What I mean by double skin is there is another completely separate layer of steel at least 10mm off the outer skin for mounting interior items like the amps. Good to know there is a way to get to this area though.

[4CylinderSpecial]

What I mean by double skin is there is another completely separate layer of steel at least 10mm off the outer skin for mounting interior items like the amps. Good to know there is a way to get to this area though.

Oh, okay. That make's sense. It's pliable so using something that could roll so that you could keep the curved shape of the panel would work wonders.