Dent removal advice

[RobertE]

Well, I hit a small bird yesterday that put a small dent (quarter-sized impact area, 1/8th inch impression). The damage isn't at the apex but, rather, about 1/2 inch above it. May I assume this is a rather easy, paintless fix using "dent doctor" or such similar services?

[bonal]

I did not know there was such a thing as "easy painless fixes" on an airplane. You might try heat and suction. If the metal is not creased it may spring back. Hope you find the easy fix and if you do please share.

[DaV8or]

Post a picture, it helps so we know what you're dealing with. I have heard of people using the paintless dent removal services with some success and there is also an electromagnetic system developed by Boeing I think that was posted up in another thread here that dealt with dent removal. I'll go find that link and post back.

[DaV8or]

Here's the link to a promising dent removal service. No personal experience and I have no idea what it costs, but worth a call.

 

http://www.fluxtronic.com/index.php

[Mooneymite]

Fluxtronic removed a dent (hangar jumped up and collided with airplane) from my leading edge.

The dent was in an area of the wing totally inaccessable from the inside. My choices were bondo/paint, disassemble the wing, or fluxtronics.

[RobertE]

Someone asked for a photo. Here it is. My mechanic says not to bother. I just don't like the blemish.

[bonal]

Damn birds

[sleepingsquirrel]

Sleepingsquirrel's Mooney leading edge dent pusher. Must use green tape as cushion.

 

Picture 1 : Armed to strike

Picture 2 : Thumb blood blister position.

[WardHolbrook]

We used one of the electromagnetic dent removal systems to take out a dent on a leading edge slat on a Falcon 50. Quick, easy and cheap. Check around, you ought to be able to find someone to take care of that for you. 

[1964-M20E]

I was watching a show and they were showing dents in brass instruments being removed with a steel ball and magnet.  Essentially a strong magnet was used on the outside and the steel ball on the inside is moved around the dent with the magnet to roll out the dent.  They use a protective film in the surface so as not to scratch.  Is this the same philosophy as Fluxtronic?

[WardHolbrook]

 I'm not all that familiar with the techniques and equipment used in "paintless" automotive dent repairs. However, I'm a firm believer in the system that is used to repair dings in the slats and leading edges on the stuff I'm flying. That system does not use ball but rather electro-magnetic impulses applied to the exterior of the airframe component to "tap" the dents out and eliminated the need to disassemble the wing or remove the slats. About 7 years ago, the Falcon 50 I was flying was in the shop and one of the mechanics rolling tool carts was accidentally pushed into the leading edge slat. The shop was up front about it, but the ding was beyond limits and a they were facing a huge replacement cost ($125K) to replace the slat. As we were researching our options we came across this approved repair method. I was skeptical at first, but it worked and we were back in the air in a couple of days instead of a couple two or three weeks. It saved them a pile of money and the repair was not detectable. Since that time I have heard of that system being used on light aircraft as well. You're going to have to do your homework to find a shop with the Fluxtronic system, but they are out there.

[Mooneymite]

Fluxtronics came to my hangar.

[rockydoc]

Dry ice is THE best solution.  The dent is because the metal is stretched.  Now, to repair it, it needs to be shrinked.  Dry ice is your best shot for an easy fix.

[Marauder]

Dry ice is THE best solution. The dent is because the metal is stretched. Now, to repair it, it needs to be shrinked. Dry ice is your best shot for an easy fix.

And how does that exactly work?

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[rockydoc]

And how does that exactly work?

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The extreme cold of the dry ice causes the metal to shrink.  This only works on small areas that are not too deep.  

[Marauder]

The extreme cold of the dry ice causes the metal to shrink.  This only works on small areas that are not too deep.  

 

Is there a documented procedure on how to do it? Or is it as simple as letting the dry ice sit on the dented area?

[rockydoc]

Is there a documented procedure on how to do it? Or is it as simple as letting the dry ice sit on the dented area?

Yes, just let the dry ice sit on the dented area.  Simple really.

[Guest]

The dry ice technique works on car hail damage too.