Ding removal---dry ice and/or hair dryer | FerrariChat
Buy

Ding removal---dry ice and/or hair dryer

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by stevel48, Jul 22, 2010.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. stevel48

    stevel48 Formula 3

    Jan 4, 2005
    1,998
    Metrowest MA
    Full Name:
    Steve (85 308 Owner)
    #1 stevel48, Jul 22, 2010
    Has anyone tried this or had it done to their car? Any success or damge to the paint?

    Dry Ice Method
    Press the dry ice on the dents of the car for around 1 minute. Also, rub the dry ice around the areas of the dent in a round hand motion.

    The above will make the metal contract and thus will pop-out the dent within seconds.

    Hair Dryer and Air Duster Methods
    This is another amazing method for the car problems of removing dents. The whole method can take around a minimum time of just 2 minutes. Clean the dented car surface and heat it with a hair dryer for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Now take the air duster and hold it upside down. Spray on the dented surface, listen and watch the dent pop-out.
     
  2. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    4,071
    Canada
    #2 moysiuan, Jul 22, 2010
    I have heard this can damage paint considerably, I tried the dry ice, it didn't work, but no damage either it appears. Probably works for larger dents that are pretty easy to remove conventionally, so might be expedient but perhaps not the best option. Typical door ding is very small but deep, maybe too much metal stretch to just pop back.
     
  3. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 9, 2003
    17,427
    wisconsin/chicago
    Full Name:
    bo
    #3 bpu699, Jul 22, 2010
    Go on youtube and search "dent+lighter+repair." Lots of videos of folks fixing dents with an aerosol can and a lighter...kind of fun to watch :).
     
  4. twright

    twright Karting

    May 15, 2005
    225
    Indianapolis USA
    #4 twright, Jul 22, 2010
    I have tried dry ice on hail damage: It did nothing. The dents didn't get smaller. But, at least they didn't get worse.
     
  5. djantlive

    djantlive Formula 3

    Jun 30, 2005
    1,015
    #5 djantlive, Jul 24, 2010
    Tried dry ice and hair dryer. total waste of 2 hrs of agony.

    spend $75 and dent was removed by pro in 10 min.

    do the math...
     
  6. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    #6 agup48, Jul 24, 2010
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2010
    I've done the hair dryer and upside down aerosol can method a while back on a friends car, and I can confirm, it does work. I was going to do it on my car because someone dinged my door, but I forgot to do it. :(

    Reminds me to go buy an aerosol can, I'm sure the Arizona heat will take car of the hair dryer.
     
  7. Mr.Chairman

    Mr.Chairman F1 Rookie

    Mar 21, 2008
    2,987
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    #7 Mr.Chairman, Jul 25, 2010
    It will not work on aluminum because aluminum has no memory..

    R
     
  8. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,184
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    #8 Lawrence Coppari, Jul 29, 2010
    If the steel has been stressed beyond its elastic limit, I don't think the dent can be removed by heating/cooling methods. It'll have to be 'worked' out such as what is done by paintless dent removal.
     
  9. stephenofkanza

    stephenofkanza Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2005
    542
    Kansas
    Full Name:
    Stephen LeRoy Sherma
    #9 stephenofkanza, Jul 31, 2010
    A blonde's car was in a hailstorm.
    She went to a body shop and they told her what to do.
    Her roommate (who was a blonde also) came home saw her.
    She asked what she was trying to do.
    Well the man at the body shop told her put her lips around the exhaust pipe and blow.
    The roommate laughed and said ' you are a dumb blonde, that will never work, you have to roll up the windows, first.

    Stephen
     

Share This Page