Tried using a heat gun on a dented fender and it actually worked

Had this 2012 Civic with a nasty crease on the rear quarter panel from a shopping cart. Pulled out my Wagner heat gun I use for shrinking electrical conduit, warmed the area for about 2 minutes, then popped it from behind with a rubber mallet. The dent came out almost completely flat - saved the customer $350 vs replacing the whole panel. Anybody else use heat tools for stuff they're not designed for?

2 comments

2 Comments

barbara3991d ago

Did you use any particular technique on the heat gun settings? I've got an older Wagner that has low and high, wondering if high heat for less time does a better job than low heat for longer. Also, how long did you let it cool before you hit it with the mallet?

amygonzalez1d ago

Barbara, are we really overthinking a heat gun for furniture? I have an old Wagner too and I just go with high heat for maybe 45 seconds, then tap it. Less time equals less chance of burning the wood or wasting my whole afternoon. I usually let it cool about 5 minutes before the mallet though, so the dried paint has time to get brittle again. Works fine for me without needing a whole science project out of it.