Pulling Out Dents

[bb72ford]

I have a few pretty large dents in my truck that I am trying to pull out. I was using a stud welder and slide hammer, but my studs keep ripping off when I use the slide hammer. I don't think it's because I am not leaving the stud welder on long enough because it leaves a hole in metal, not just pulls the stud off. Then dent is coming out slowly, but I think I am doing something wrong because the majority of my studs have ripped off and left holes. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[convincor]

Sounds like you trying to pull to hard to fast...
Space your studs about a inch apart from the edge of dent working toward the center. Then keep moving the slide hammer around and slowly work toward the center.
Patiens is your friend.

[elgemcdlf]

Envision how the damage occurred. You need to try your best to reverse the action when repairing damage.

[HIO Silver]

Envision how the damage occurred. You need to try your best to reverse the action when repairing damage.

2X.. typically, the lowest part of the dent is pulled out last.. also, use the stud to pull on while bumping/tapping the metal around it (on its outside) to encourage it to release its form (or deformity).

[bb72ford]

Thanks for the replies. I think the problem was that I was trying to pull one stud all the way out, where I should have put all the studs in and pulled each out a little at a time. Hopefully I will have more luck with it tomorrow.

[SecondCamperSpecial]

Daughter backed my Bronco in to my son Mustang

[72BahamaBlue]

I have a few pretty large dents in my truck that I am trying to pull out. I was using a stud welder and slide hammer, but my studs keep ripping off when I use the slide hammer. I don't think it's because I am not leaving the stud welder on long enough because it leaves a hole in metal, not just pulls the stud off. Then dent is coming out slowly, but I think I am doing something wrong because the majority of my studs have ripped off and left holes. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Some sheetmetal might be too thick for the studs. Another way to pull dents is to flatten one edge of small flat washers, weld perpendicular to the sheetmetal.
A dent puller with a J-hook should work.

[DCrusher]

I have a few pretty large dents in my truck that I am trying to pull out. I was using a stud welder and slide hammer, but my studs keep ripping off when I use the slide hammer. I don't think it's because I am not leaving the stud welder on long enough because it leaves a hole in metal, not just pulls the stud off. Then dent is coming out slowly, but I think I am doing something wrong because the majority of my studs have ripped off and left holes. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Some sheetmetal might be too thick for the studs. Another way to pull dents is to flatten one edge of small flat washers, weld perpendicular to the sheetmetal.
A dent puller with a J-hook should work.

Yes that is something I've noticed on our old trucks I tried studding the tailgate sheet metal ( Not to meation it's probably the heavies part of metal on the whole truck ) and everytime it pulled the stud right off never even phased the metal. Now on my "97" F-150 that my son creased all the way from the passenger door down to the taillight, the stud gun worked great and also SHRINK DISC works on some of that stretched sheet metal like you said I think it's the old fashion way hammering on and off dolly if you can't get to the back it's going to be a shrinking disc or torch and a little spot and hammering on it or lightly tapping on it to drive it down and lets not forget the other old methods drill a hole insert screw and pull then weld up the hole or like you said today's little MIGs and welders makes it very easy to do just what you said weld a washer on it and pull then just grind it off..

[bb72ford]

Thanks for the suggestions. This weekend, I did manage to get one of my dents out. A lot of studs and holes later, this is what I ended up with.