PDR Baton Attachment: How It Works - Pulling Dents With Heat

The Inductor PDR Baton is an optional heating attachment for use with the Inductor Series that allows technicians to remove soft dents by heating the panel behind the paint, relieving the stress holding the dent, thus reducing its size or eliminating it all together. This reduces the amount of outsourced paintless dent removal (PDR) work as well as the amount of labor and materials used when doing using traditional repair techniques.

Heat Shrinking Dents in Sheet Metal

Here’s how use the PDR Baton:

• Step 1: perform the “Preparation for Use” instructions that come with the attachment
• Step 2: set the power control knob to midway between the “Low” and “Max” settings
• Step 3: step on the foot switch to turn the power on
• Step 4: holding the Concentrator^® ½ to 1 inch above a dent, move it in a small circular motion and gradually bring it closer to the dent, but keeping it around the outside of the crown of the dent
• Step 5: as soon as the dent shrinks, back the Concentrator away quickly and cool the treated dent with a damp rag
• Step 6: if the dent sucks in you are heating the crown or not far enough around the outside of the crown
• Step 7: repeat the procedure until removed completely

Tip: once a puff of smoke releases from the dent, immediately remove the Concentrator from the area. This is the point at which the paint will start to bubble. Also be careful on white and light colored finishes, these lighter paints tend to yellow sooner than darker colors.

Troubleshooting: if the dent doesn’t seem to want to shrink, this may be because there is a crease in the metal or the metal has been stretched to far.

How the PDR Baton Works

Magnetic Field

The PDR Baton’s primary use is for paintless dent repair and metal shrinking. The PDR Baton emits a strong magnetic field at the tip of the inductor approximately ½” (13mm) in diameter. The strong focused field from the PDR Baton makes it possible to remove soft dents of all sizes without damaging the paint.

Cost Savings

The PDR Baton can eliminate the need to hire a PDR technician in many cases, saving the shop hundreds of dollars per car. It is not necessary to remove the interior trim, because all the work can be conducted from the outside of the vehicle. Additionally, the risk of damage to the interior is minimal because most dents are removed at temperatures less than 150°F (66°C). However, the interior trim should be removed if metal shrinking is to be conducted, due to the higher temperature requirements. It is not necessary to drill holes in panels when using the PDR Baton because all the work is done from the outside of the vehicle.

Avoiding Paint Burns

Although, the PDR Baton does not produce any heat, it’s possible to burn the paint if left in one position for too long. Approximately 3 seconds is the maximum amount of time the PDR Baton can be held in one location before paint is burned. The PDR Baton removes dents based on the principles of thermal expansion.

Increasing Dent Size Tip

The magnetic field when placed over a dented area causes the metal in that area to become hot. Metal expands as it gets hot. The surrounding cooler metal constrains the outside of the dented area that is being heated. The heat causes the dent to expand upward, thus removing the dent. In some cases, the dent will increase in size when heated. If this occurs, move out to the outer edge of the dent and heat again. Continue to move outward until the dent starts to decrease in size.

Over Raising the Dent

Large dents and swells required a circular motion starting at the perimeter of the dent, progressing to the middle. It’s possible and recommended to over raise the dented area with the PDR Baton. Over raising the dent stretches the metal in the opposite direction, which prevents the dent from reappearing when it cools. The area that is over raised will flatten when cooled. It may be necessary to tap the high area down in some cases. After raising the dented area, immediately quench the spot with a spray bottle or damp cloth. This will reduce the likely hood of the metal having memory.

Removing Multiple Dents

When working panels with many dents, users should not work in one area, but rather move around the panel heating one area while another cools. This will prevent an oil can effect which could permanently distort the metal. Do not over work a dent, because paint damage can occur. 3 to 5 seconds cumulative heat time is all the paint can withstand before being burned. After heating 3 to 5 seconds, cool the area thoroughly before heating again. Each time the dent is heated and quenched it is raised a little more dents with creases in them are more difficult. The PDR Baton can remove the dent, but in most cases the crease is still visible, but can be covered with a little high-build primer and block sanding.

Dents Near the Edge

Dents near the edge of panels or near mechanical details like corners and rain channels are very difficult to remove with the PDR Baton. Traditional PDR techniques may have to be employed. The PDR Baton can also be used for heating seized nuts in difficult to reach areas, as well as heating bearings for thermal expansion prior to installation.

Electrical Load

NOTE: Never apply power to an unloaded heating inductor. The body panel or metal object to be heated acts as a load to absorb the energy generated by the PDR Baton. Without the load, the PDR Baton will overheat. Overheating the PDR Baton can cause damage and/or personal injury.

Contact us to learn more about removing hail dents, door dings and other soft dents with induction heating