The Dent Gremlin

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Has anyone else met the dent gremlin? He seems to be a stealthy little sucker who mysteriously leaves his calling card on the left side of my truck , about 51 inches up. (Too high for a shopping cart). I never see him, but he visited me again the other day. Left his mark. No paint scratched, kinda like he uses a rubber hammer.
I know some people think these trucks can get a dent if you sneeze on them, but no one sneezed on my baby.
I'm starting to wonder if maybe he lives down at the dealership, and every time my truck has to go back to get something done over again he pops in for a visit. (And pops in my sheet metal ! ) The mechanics advocate, perhaps ?
Well, I just thought I'd ask if he has been visiting any one else. You know when he's been around by the totally unexplainable, nasty dents that appear under very suspicious circumstances.
He and I are due for a really serious little chat. Anybody have any ideas about how to catch a gremlin?

[This message has been edited by Josparkz (edited 01-04-2001). ]

 

[Archive]

any one know how to repair a cracked dullie fender ? cracked mine going into the garage
5 ****** want a grand to replace the fender cover any one have any ideas?

Originally posted by Josparkz:
Has anyone else met the dent gremlin? He seems to be a stealth little sucker who mysteriously leaves his calling card on the left side of my truck , about 51 inches up. (Too high for a shopping cart). I never see him, but he visited me again the other day. Left his mark. No paint scratched, kinda like he uses a rubber hammer.
I know some people think these trucks can get a dent if you sneeze on them, but no one sneezed on my baby.
I'm starting to wonder if maybe he lives down at the dealership, and every time my truck has to go back to get something done over again he pops in for a visit. (And pops in my sheet metal ! ) The mechanics advocate, perhaps ?
Well, I just thought I'd ask if he has been visiting any one else. You know when he's been around by the totally unexplainable, nasty dents that appear under very suspicious circumstances.
He and I are due for a really serious little chat. Anybody have any ideas about how to catch a gremlin?

 

[Archive]

Josparkz,

I never saw the little devil, but when I catch him, he's going to be sitting on my favorite vice. #ad
I don't know how it happened but only my fuel filler door got it. It's a bouncing scrape, 2 of them, with a dent to boot. #ad
However, nothing on the body on either side of the door! How he pulled that one off I'll never know.

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, HX40-16, TST #11/280 slid 3/4 way, 300 HP Injectors, Scourge BD Governor kit.
4" CATless turn down straight out back.
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, RE-0880, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s on Alcoas, Rancho 9000's, Valentine One.
Clutch days are numbered, McLeod on the way.
#11 plate days are numbered, custom grind on the way.
Dutchmen 27' 5th Wheel.
GoldWing.

 

[Archive]

You need to be a little more specific about the placement before I can help you. I owned a paintless dent repair company for 8 years (still do work on the side for special customers), so I am well versed in size, placement and type/style and probable cause of dents in most any vehicle! Is it above/below the pin stripe line? Is it in the fender, door, cab or quarter (front or rear of tirewell)? Rams usually get dents in the hood at about the cross-plane of the radio antenae, and it took me a couple months to figure out why... they were elbow dents! Its just the right height to stand around and shoot the BS with your arms on the hood!~

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

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BC, Those dents on the hood come from leaning on one elbow while washing the windshield. I have a small one on each side of the hood. Bonehead moves like this are why I buy white trucks, so things aren't so apparent to those around me.

Sam

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2001. 5 2500 QC HO 6sp LB 3. 54LS everything except leather, white/agate 2wd

 

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... . and, dear Sam... I can remove those dents to perfection in about 10 minutes! Did a few for Mr. Patton back in 96 in St. Louis.

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[Archive]

The little XXXXXX visited my truck in the first week that I owned it!! #ad
#ad
Of all places, he left his calling card on the lower corner of my drivers door, a place that I see most of the time and constantly reminds me of what part of his anatomy I would like shove something very painful into. #ad
#ad

 

[Archive]

Josparkz,
I agree with BCFAST where are the dents on the truck?

I would quess as with my truck that most of the dings are caused by car/truck doors with nick protectors on the edges. They just seem to miss hitting the door trim protector probably because of 4x4 height(cars and 2wd trucks below, lifted trucks above door trim).
Also noticed when loading watermelons side by side that when the middle man puts foot on side my of bed that it will put decent ding in side. I now try to park so they have to stand on bumper.
I plan on putting nerf bars on truck so I quit wearing out paint on door sill and doors swingers can slam their doors into them as hard as they want.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

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Got you beat Chris. Little sucker got me before I even picked up the truck. Saleman sent the lot weenie to fill'er up just before I got there. You guessed it, edge of the driver's door is about ummmmmm... . pump high. Ouch. #ad


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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 anti-spin, 265-75-16 LTX’s (There ain’t no such thing as options, cause ya gotta have it all, including: DC’s dead cow/vinyl interior and don’t stop anti-lock brakes. ) Stock, but not for long. Oops, too late. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

 

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Tell you what guys... . I'll do my best to attend a couple TDR meetings this year, and will bring my dent tools with me! Will get your beloved trucks back to looking new again!! No painting, no bondo. . just old fashioned metal crafting!


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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

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I too have noticed how easily the sheetmetal can be dented. There are 2 diples in the roof caused when waxing. Applied too much pressure (which was very little pressure) and the roof sheetmetal buckled in. It popped right back out but left 2 dimples abou the size of 2 quarters. Sure took the enthusiasm out of waxing my rig, I had just gotten started #ad


There is also a dent on the side of the bed, caused by the ratchet part of a lightweight ratchet strap when it dropped while getting ready to unload some furniture.

Ever since then I've been extremely careful and no new dents since then.

Vaughn
- - - - - - - - -- -
'01 2500 QC SB 2wd, 3. 54lsd, 6-speed

 

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BCfast can you explain how your dent removal system works? I have a couple of small dings that were caused by standing on rear tire and leaning into bed to latch gooseneck coupler.

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99 2500 QC SB 4x4 driftwood, 5sp. 3. 55 lsd, 9000lbs Warn winch, 33x12. 5x16. 5 BFG mud terrains, no muffler and 0880 K\N, Autometer gauges, Poweredge

 

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OK guys... here's the short version of Metalurgy 101: the body panels on our trucks or any other vehicle starts life as a flat sheet that comes off a roll. It is stamped into a fender, a door, a hood, etc at various stamping plants around the US, Canada and Mexico. Now, a door may be made in Michigan, but the hood on the same truck may come from Virginia... and consequently it is of a different *strength*. When asked, I equate metal to dough; a little more flower or one less egg and it goes from dounuts to pizza to pie dough. Metal is the same... its a mixture of alloy this and alloy that in different amounts depending on the manufacturers' spec. It can go from the worst kleenex and spit (Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac. . ) to concrete (Mercedes S class). The difference, from the perspective of what I do, is the amount of steel in the 'dough' recipe. And it IS NOT how 'thick' the panel is. A body panel on a new BMW is quite thin, and it dents easily... BUT!!!... there is soooo much steel in it, that I can take an absolutely HORRIBLE looking dent and make it mirror perfect... and the slightest little ding in a Nissan is irrepairable.
In a nutshell, the way it works is I use a series of custom made metal rods of various lengths, shapes and thicknesses to massage the dent back out straight from behind. I have a few limiting factors on success as this is not an exact science: 1. they type of metal I'm working on (Jap, US, Italian, German),2. the depth of the depression (is the metal stretched out?) and 3. the severity of the depression (does it look like somebody tried to drive a nail into it?). The size of the dent is not usually a problem.
You can find paintless dent repair most places in the US. They are prevalent in the hail belt... . but, as you now know it is all done by hand. It is up to the skill and experience of the technician doing it, so be careful. Personally, Ive owned my own company for 8+ years, I have worked on cars at Pebble Beach, museums, private collections as well as the daily grind of dealership after dealership. Am I the best? Heck no!! Am I darn good and consientious? You bet!
Brian

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[Archive]

The dent gremlin got me last night,all though an" a-- hole"would be a better name ,it was slick here the last couple of days and some one backed/sled or what ever into my left rear quater near the bottom of the tail light and left no note. It really pi--ed me off while washing the truck today,ya can't have anything because of others that have absoutely no respect for others. Just venting steam,Sorry

 

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I have had to use the "Paintless Dent Removal" guy about two Years ago. He is a Master of removing dents!, Cheap too!

Joe Sparks, At the Dealership You took you truck to, Do they Have a Lift that has only standing legs?, If so, and if your dent is right in the middle of the door, But about 18" down from the window, Thats where the dents come from, They slamed your door against the Support stand/legs of the Lift.

At least thats what happened to My Ram.

Doug

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1998. 5,2500,ISB,Auto,CC,4x4,4. 10's,Suregrip,White Sport,Isspro Boost & Pyro,275hp Injectors,VA,PS Boost Module,DTT Valve Body,BD Pressure Lock,Mopar Perf Alum transmission Pan,16x8 Eagles,285/75/16 Bridgestone MT's,2. 5" Skyjacker Lift,Stockland Seibring Shell. Uniden HR2510 Ham/CB

 

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The dealer did the first ding by just leaning on the fender doing the fuel heater recall. A co called Dent Pro fixed it and didnt even crack the paint. BUT... . watch out for falling pine cones. They can do some really bad things to your hood. My neighbour has the twin to my truck and he parks his in the yard where there are nothing but 100' pine trees. Im so glad I can tuck mine away in the carport. The boat has been retired to the barn!

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98 Quad Cab 4X4 Cummins PAID WAY TOO MUCH$$$$$$$$ Automatic Totally loaded Minus fuel sender plus right brake pull, no extra charge! K&N filter, Line X spray on liner that chips everytime I haul something, WORTHLESS CHRYSLER 7/100,000 WARANTY, First name basis with Enterprise Rent a Car and my local AAA tow truck driver.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by BCFAST:
You need to be a little more specific about the placement before I can help you.

Two of the blessings I have received from this stealthy creature have been in the form of a vertical crease, about 4" long, about 51" off the floor. The last one was about 10 " back from the front of the bed, drivers side. The first one was about the same size and shape, same height, same side, about the center of the back window. Both of these are dead center on the pinstriping.
The other one was in the top of the fender, same side. I kind of thought that one might have been a knee print. I think gremlins and other assorted vermin have bony knees.
Does any one know how to get knee prints off of a gremlin ? #ad


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"Roadrunner"-96 4X4 club cab-12v-auto-3. 54 gears-Amsoil bypass filter - all Amsoil fluids-trans filter-britebox-shelfit-DeeZee boards-Rhino liner-Rancho 5 speed shocks-Hellwig rear antisway & overload springs-Warn 12000 lb. winch-dual redtop optimas-combo gauge and trans. temp gauge in pillar mount-255/85R16 Kelly MSR tires-custom pinstriping- Walker muffler-Cummins mudflaps-Tuff Country control arms-2" coil spacers

[This message has been edited by Josparkz (edited 01-07-2001). ]