How to fix dents on metal fridge door?

[Hayaimi]

I would like to know how can I fix all these dents on my metal fridge door on my rented premises without disassembling the fridge itself? 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Hayaimi,

Have you included the part about it being a rental premises, as you do not own the fridge? 

You might like to try the Trojan Dent Repair Kit. It's designed to remove small dents on car panels, but I suspect it would work equally well on your fridge. The tabs are hot glued onto the dent, and the tool pulls them off, diminishing the dent.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Hayaimi]

Thanks for the recommendation.

I have been using hot glue to adhere the dent, but it isn’t strong enough to withstand the pull. Do you have any other recommendations for the adhesive that would be strong enough to stick on both the fridge metal panel and the puller pad? 
Should it be adhesives for metal or plastics? 

[EricL]

Hello @Hayaimi 

I'm only aware of the Trojan Dent Repair Kit there are no other kits available in the store. If the hot glue stick is lifting and not pulling the metal dent, I suggest wiping the surface with isopropyl to get rid of any oil or grease contamination on the metal surface. Once the surface is dry give it another try.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @TedBear for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Hayaimi]

Please ask you colleagues to suggest other options that’s compatible for metal and plastics and is strong enough to withstand the pull, as it is quite the urgent repair. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Hayaimi,

Glue designed for use with a hot glue gun is the only type of glue we can recommend for this repair as it is strong, but not too strong to still be removed. Any other glue would risk damaging the fridge further.

As Eric has mentioned, cleaning the fridge with isopropyl alcohol before applying your glue can help remove contaminants that will affect the ability of the glue to stick to the fridge.

Make sure you're using enough glue to fully cover the puller pad and press it firmly on the fridge for 60 seconds before pulling.

Unfortunately, dent pulling is a game of patience, so if it doesn't work the first time, keep trying, you should have some success if you keep at it.

Jacob

[Hayaimi]

@Dave-1 @Nailbag @TedBear @MitchellMc 

I am currently working on an urgent repair on the above fridge metal door with Trojan Dent Repair Kit. 
I have been using hot glue to adhere the dent, but it isn’t strong enough to withstand the pull. Do you have any other recommendations for the adhesive that would be strong enough to stick on both the fridge metal panel and the puller pad? 
Should it be adhesives for metal or plastics? 

[Hayaimi]

Thank for the advice. 
So is using hot glue the only option for not affecting the paint on the metal door? 
Does different hot glue sticks deliver different performances? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Hayaimi,

Yes, hot glue is the only glue I'd recommend and further damage to the paint is my concern.

Hot glue is usually used for crafts and things where extreme strength is not required, so it is unlikely to damage the paint.

Specialised glues will stick so well that there's a good chance they will pull the paint off.

The difference between hot glue sticks would be marginal at best. I think technique and applying different approaches are more important than the product. Try different puller pads, try aiming at one side of the dent instead of down the middle, work smaller instead of larger.

Perseverance and coming at the dents from different angles are going to give you the best chance for success.

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Hi @Hayaimi 

Until recently I actually had no idea there waa such a tool to remove dents in fridges. My adult nephew a few months back hit a golf ball inside that hit his parent's dishwasher. Though not a fridge the princible for repair is the same. My brother in Law used the Trojan repair kit following this instructional video, which in the end worked as good.

And yes you can't user any other glue or the surface will be permantly damaged. The trick is to keep redoing in the process until you get the desired result.

Personally we have a dark stainless fridge that has two very small pin-point dents. I have no idea they got there, but won't be attempting to try and pull these out as my research comes up with its not possible and the process of the glue and scrapping it off again is most likely to make the area mortar visible.

Nailbag