Diamond Plate Dent

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by FrankieSaysRelax

You know how it is…the first ding, scratch, dent in anything new is always the hardest to get over. I’m sure many of the seasoned folks here are having a good laugh at my expense over such trivia. As they should!

One good hail storm and you’ll forget about the diamond plate, I promise.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by muckinfuss

I think you're right in line with the majority of owners. Every edge lift of a decal, scratch on a door, etc......you get the picture.....each one is like a stab from your grandmother's sister's long hat pin.

Originally Posted by kirkelli

No wonder Jayco went with Plastic Diamond Plate.. The stuff is cheap. You may as well replace the whole sheet for $75 Bucks.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Diamond...5147343&sr=8-8

Originally Posted by norty1

How about a Good Sam sticker over it?

Originally Posted by mikeplaneguy

When I bought my new truck, one of the mechanics at work was checking it out, he said "nice truck!" Then he handed me a hammer and said "go ahead, get it over with, it might as well be dented by you."

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

One good hail storm and you’ll forget about the diamond plate, I promise.

My better half is beginning to complain to me that I am obsessing over this dent.

I’m sure she’s right. I’ll let the boys and girls at the shop figure it out during it’s spring service. Have a great weekend everyone!🎶😎🎶

[LuckyDuck]

Just a guess: Your DW is named Frankie?

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Just a guess: Your DW is named Frankie?

Nope. She’s my ErinGoBraugh🇮🇪

[craigav]

Based on the pictures in post 12, I wouldn't worry with the dent. I thought at first that the pictures showed that you were able to pull the dent out, but if not, I wouldn't worry with it, based on what I see. Perhaps in person it would look different though. ~CA

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by craigav

Based on the pictures in post 12, I wouldn't worry with the dent. I thought at first that the pictures showed that you were able to pull the dent out, but if not, I wouldn't worry with it, based on what I see. Perhaps in person it would look different though. ~CA

In person it looks much worse than the picture! Bahahaha😭😭😭

[koko]

Ours is a motor home, but it's parked in our backyard next to the garage. The garage is down a hill. I always tell EVERYONE, you can hit the garage, just not our motor home!!

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

One good hail storm and you’ll forget about the diamond plate, I promise.

Yup. Memorial Day, 2018, Ogallala, Nebraska. Rain turned into 2.5" hail. Put 2 cracks in fiberglass, broke door window, destroyed vent hood, cracked bathroom vent, shattereed skylight, caused two splits in roof fabric, took out antenna, broke trim along corners, and a little more. Poor Barnum the Plott mix couldn't get far enough under the table.
When it was all said and done we got a terrific price to keep our totaled trailer. Always wanted smoked door window. Got it! Always wanted Fantastic Fan. Got it! Also got lexan skylight, patched roof with eternabond, edge trim is easy to replace - in short, we ended up with a super nice trailer and a great story for all the locals who see our pock-marked Tahoe and ask, "Where'd ya pick up the hail?"

[stuts35gs]

Be careful with a heat gun. I use hair dryers set on high for relaxing plastic. I have both and have ruined a few plastic finishes with the heat gun!

Gary

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by stuts35gs

Be careful with a heat gun. I use hair dryers set on high for relaxing plastic. I have both and have ruined a few plastic finishes with the heat gun!

Gary

Thanks Gary. Yes I am familiar with the powerful results of heat guns, having worked in the flooring trade as a young man. I’m a hairdryer guy for many years now, performing repairs and such on acoustic and electric guitars. Less is more in that type of work.
frank d.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

After speaking to the folks at the service center it seems the ball is back in my court concerning the diamond plate debacle! They said it would be cost prohibitive because they would have to dismantle the entire front of the trailer to push out the dented area and then reassemble the trailer. . They said to put it through my insurance company, and honestly I don’t want to do that.

So, I have another plan of attack. Since the hot glue gun was a failure I have decided, when it warms up this spring(it’s snowing outside right now)I will KrazyGlue the dent puller tabs to the plastic diamond plate, then release them with nail polish remover after I get the dent out. Genius I say!! God help me😭😂

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by FrankieSaysRelax

After speaking to the folks at the service center it seems the ball is back in my court concerning the diamond plate debacle! They said it would be cost prohibitive because they would have to dismantle the entire front of the trailer to push out the dented area and then reassemble the trailer. . They said to put it through my insurance company, and honestly I don’t want to do that.

So, I have another plan of attack. Since the hot glue gun was a failure I have decided, when it warms up this spring(it’s snowing outside right now)I will KrazyGlue the dent puller tabs to the plastic diamond plate, then release them with nail polish remover after I get the dent out. Genius I say!! God help me😭😂

Are you sure crazy glue will hold fast enough to the plastic? I’ve had mixed results with it on plastic. And if it is strong enough to pull the dent will you be able to get it off even with acetone? Is it possible to drill a small hole in a strategic location and insert something to pop it out? Then patch over the hole to match surrounding plastic? Just a thought.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Are you sure crazy glue will hold fast enough to the plastic? I’ve had mixed results with it on plastic. And if it is strong enough to pull the dent will you be able to get it off even with acetone? Is it possible to drill a small hole in a strategic location and insert something to pop it out? Then patch over the hole to match surrounding plastic? Just a thought.

I’m not sure if the glue will hold, but it’s still to cold outside to do a test. As far as drilling and pulling, I am leaving that as my last resort. Honestly, if the TT wasn’t so new I probably wouldn’t even care about the dent, but it’s not even a year old till this coming September. You know, pride of ownership and all that…

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by FrankieSaysRelax

I’m not sure if the glue will hold, but it’s still to cold outside to do a test. As far as drilling and pulling, I am leaving that as my last resort. Honestly, if the TT wasn’t so new I probably wouldn’t even care about the dent, but it’s not even a year old till this coming September. You know, pride of ownership and all that…

Yeah, totally understand. I’m the same way. Sometimes it’s a curse! Good luck with whatever you try.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Yeah, totally understand. I’m the same way. Sometimes it’s a curse! Good luck with whatever you try.

Thank you LD! Its nice to know I'm not alone with this new trailer angst😹
All the best,
frank d.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by FrankieSaysRelax

Thank you LD! Its nice to know I'm not alone with this new trailer angst😹
All the best,
frank d.

Ours is 4 years old and I’m still fussing over it!

[muckinfuss]

A couple of things I'm not able to zero in on with your problem description....did you use a dent puller with the 30 to 40 shapes that are applied in sequence to lift a dent? I've use one for quite a few years doing body work and the secret is two fold...the shape sequence has to go from small to larger until you are satisfied. In most cases the dent doesn't pull out in one shot. And the key to good adhesion is to stay away from craft supply hot melt. I have an Eastwoods as well as a couple of body supply houses that I can get what I need, but Grainger and McMaster Carr both have a selection of hot melt sticks graded and used in heavy duty packaging applications...those are very good at sticking to anything! Hope you find your solution.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by muckinfuss

……..”” I have an Eastwoods as well as a couple of body supply houses that I can get what I need, but Grainger and McMaster Carr both have a selection of hot melt sticks graded and used in heavy duty packaging applications....

OK muck, translate this into something I can understand. Apparently you have experience with body work, and I do not. What is an Eastwoods? Do I need a special glue gun for these graded melt sticks?
Thanks for this, it just may be the info I need to solve this problem.
frank d.

[muckinfuss]

I PM'd you.

[FrankieSaysRelax]

Originally Posted by muckinfuss

I PM'd you.

Done!
Thank you.