Removing Car Dents With Lateral Tension

Lateral tension is an essential technique used in paintless dent repair (PDR), and it plays a crucial role in how Dentless Touch achieves top-quality results. This method helps release stress from the metal and allows the dent to return to its original form more smoothly, enabling precise and efficient repairs.

How Lateral Tension Works:

Lateral tension involves applying controlled force horizontally or diagonally across the surface of the dent. Redistributing the pressure around the dented area reduces resistance in the metal, making it easier to manipulate without overstretching or damaging the paint.

Lateral Tension in Glue Pull Method:

• Controlled Pulling: At Dentless Touch, we use lateral tension in the glue pull process by pulling from the sides of the dent after attaching a glue tab. This sideways pull ensures the dent is worked out evenly, reducing the risk of over-pulling or creating high spots. This technique allows us to handle even the most complex dents with precision.
• Stress Relief: Lateral tension also helps relieve stress in the metal, preventing it from snapping back into a dented state. This gives our technicians better control, ensuring a smoother repair that aligns perfectly with the surrounding area.

Lateral Tension Tools:

KECOTabs is the industry leader in glue pull repair. As a KECO-Certified GPR facility, Dentless Touch utilizes the latest in Glue Pull Technology.

KECO's L2E is the most comprehensive glue pull repair system available to body shop and PDR technicians. This system includes the industry's best lifting tools, a powerful KECO shop light, and a GPR tool cart. This is the only option for those looking for a complete GPR solution to improve shop efficiency.

• Level 2E System Toolset - The complete shop system for technicians and shop owners wanting the complete GPR solution ideal for repairing damage throughout the repair continuum, using as little body filler as possible and preparing for paint quickly
• Rough-Out & Large Damage - K-Beam® and K-Beam® Jr. with added height legs provide double-action pulls and the K-Bar® executes leverage pulls that move tons of metal FAST
• Small & Detail Finish Corrections - Robo Lifter and Precision Pulling Base correct small and x-small damage with precise control when combined with Dead Center® finishing tabs
• Lighting - KECO Shop Light enhances the technician's ability to see damage on clear coat and various paint colors to enable to place tabs for pulls with accuracy and control
• Storage & Organization - KECOs GPR Cart, TabPrints™ organizer, along with the Z-Channel™ platform store glue gun, heat gun, thermometer, and glue to keep tools and tabs clean and organized in any shop

The latest LTT design from KECO incorporates a larger 1/2" threaded rod along with wider stationary and drive shoes to apply pressure perpendicular to KECO Centipedes. This allows use with an offset where the rod can be above and below work areas or body lines.

The KECO LTT (Lateral Tension Tool) provides technicians with lateral tension to improve metal flow during a glue pull repair. The release of tension with a lateral motion from crown areas promotes needed relief when pulling large dents and collision damage from panels, doors, seams, and body lines. Combine the LTT with the K-Beam®, K-Bar®, or other KECO premium GPR tool. Recommended with KECO's high-strength PDR glue to pull the deepest dents from virtually all metals used in vehicle composition.

• Stationary Bearing Shoe - precision machined steel block for drive thread bearing support and parallel centipede engagement
• Threaded Drive Shoe - machined steel drive block machined for parallel centipede engagement
• 1/2" Threaded Drive Rod - strong precision machined with bearing sleeve, hex head, and retaining screw
• Tension Knob and Hex Nut - hand turn for precise tension and finesse while pulling damage or use a power drill on the hex nut for faster adjustments
• Includes 4 KECO Blue Centipede Tabs - (2) each 25mm x 156 mm (1 x 6 in) rigid centipedes and (2) each 56mm x 152mm (6" x 1.5") rigid centipedes with lateral-pull hole

Lateral Tension with Pushing:

• Precise Metal Movement: When pushing from behind the panel, our technicians apply lateral tension to evenly guide the metal’s movement. This avoids creating high spots and allows us to return the metal to its original shape more effectively.
• Panel Stabilization: By stabilizing the panel while applying lateral tension, we prevent uneven stretching and ensure the repair holds its strength and shape without waves or ripples.

As an industry leader, Dentless Touch stays at the cutting edge of PDR by mastering advanced techniques like lateral tension. Our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement ensures that we can deliver superior results, keeping your vehicle’s surface looking flawless without compromising the integrity of its paint or structure.