I have a Thunderbird and there is a dent in the back left panel behind the door. It’s pretty big and I hate to look at it. I’ve heard that one can pop them out, but I would rather ask y’all.
Can I pour boiling water on it to expand the metal (it’s 40 degrees right now)?
Can I use a plunger with something (like corn syrup) around the rim to pull it out?
Thanks!
Any sort of suction cup that has a good handle will work. Any auto store should sell cheap 6" dia dent-pulling cups, but they are often too large for small dents Try to match the cup to the size of the dent. On plastic panels, I’ve even used a kid’s toy effectively. It’s best to act promptly, rather than letting the dent “set” (I wouldn’t want to debate the science of that. it’s just my experience)
Personally, for really tough dents in metal, I find that a hot-glue, applied to the sucker, makes the best seal, and rarely mars the paint. The metal conducts the heat away, cooling the glue too rapidly for an excessively tenacious bond --but caution is still advised. YMMV, especially on plastic panels. However, plastic pops so easily that water usually suffices as a sealant.
Creasing can be a problem. After a while, you develop an eye for the geometry of a dent.
In my experience, warm temperatures make a dent more amenable to “popping”, especially in our local winters, when a lot of dents seem to occur. Simply parking it in a indoor garage for several hours can make a big difference, though I’ve been known to use hair dryers or even a propane torch at a distance of 8-12"
Another thing you might want to try is a hunk of dry ice. Hold it in some tongs, and bring it close to the dent. Often times, that’s enough to get a dent to pop out.