What to Expect at Booth #34151:

• Panel Beater – The original, portable, battery-powered dent puller that eliminates the need for pins, MIG welding, and labor-intensive cleanup, delivering cleaner, more efficient auto body repairs. https://www.ai-mfg.com/dent-pullers
• Hybrid Welding Station – A revolutionary spot welding system offering high-powered performance from either a standard 110 V outlet or its onboard battery—setting a new standard in portability and flexibility. https://www.ai-mfg.com/spot-welders/

Why You Should Attend:

• Innovation in Automotive Repair: AIM continues to lead with next-generation tools like the Panel Beater and Hybrid Welding Station that redefine efficiency and portability in the collision repair and fabrication industry.
• Live Demonstrations: Experience first-hand how AIM’s battery-powered equipment can transform your workflow—faster repairs, cleaner results, and minimal setup.
• Expert Support: Have a question or need help troubleshooting? AIM brings its knowledgeable team to the show, ready to support estimates, training, distribution inquiries, and more. ai-mfg.com
• American-Made Quality: Designed and assembled in Spokane, Washington, AIM’s tools are proudly backed by U.S.-based manufacturing and dedicated customer service.

Event Details at a Glance:

Learn More About AIM

Discover the full spectrum of AIM’s innovative tools—including battery-powered dent pullers, spot welders, MIG welders, and accessories—by visiting their official website: ai-mfg.com

Finding a solution that can pull out the most difficult dents, while also not adding more damage, is the ultimate goal of dent pullers.  For this reason, it’s no surprise that methods like Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) are extremely popular wiht professionals.

However, as popular an option as PDR is, PDR is limited to just dents that can be pulled from the outside, which significantly limits application.   Similarly, suction cup methods also minimize damage to surfaces, but require skill to fix larger and more complicated dents with suction cups (if at all).  This typically means that a much more labor-intensive process of using a slide hammer, stud welding, and pins to pull the damage is required. While one of the most reliable methods to pull any dent, it also requires a skilled techician (when available) and increases the time and cost of repairs for the customer.

But there’s a third method that is not often talked about but should be high on the list of every body shop technician or owner.

What if there were a dent pulling machine that could remove nearly every dent with less filling/refinishing, does not require stud welding, pins or suction cups, and does not require access to the backside of the damage? 

We would like to introduce you to the Panel Beater™: The original - and world’s first - battery-powered dent pulling machine.

THE PANEL BEATER™ DIFFERENCE:

Unlike a lot of new tools and solutions currently available, the Panel Beater™ is designed for body shops that require fast, reliable, and highly efficient methods for repairs.  It’s no surprise to most ‘panel beaters and body shop owners that many of these tools have questionable long-term value, and are generally more useful for small dents or consumer DIY applications. 

Unlike PDR and suction cup methods, the Panel Beater™ is not limited to small dents.  Unlike stud welding, there are no pinholes to clean up. 

The Panel Beater™ is a portable and battery-powered dent pulling machine, providing versatility and no limitations on ‘where’ you pull the dent: In the shop, the lot, or even at a customer’s home!

And unlike most traditional methods, both the set-up and actual time spent repairing damage is significantly reduced.  With the Panel Beater^TM dent pulling machine, it’s a fast and easy three-step process: Stick, Pull, and Twist.

STEP 1: "STICK"

The first step is to affix the electrode tip to the damaged area.  The only preparation is a clean surface and a charged battery for the Panel Beater™.

STEP 2: “PULL”

With the electrode now firmly attached to the damages area, the technician uses the control handle (with or without a slide hammer or claw hammer) to pull out the dent. 

STEP 3: “TWIST”

The final step is to remove the control arm and electrode, which is simply done by twisting the control arm to break the contact of the electrode.

That’s it!  With the dent pulled, the focus pivots to filling in any small gaps or depressions and moving on to painting and refinishing.

The Panel Beater™ dent-pulling process has many of the same benefits as PDR but with the added capabilities of professional dent repair methods like stud welding (but without pin holes!).  Indeed, the Panel Beater™ is a heavy-duty dent pulling machine providing up to 2000 amps of power.    In combination with the versatility of its portable battery-operated mobility, The Panel Beater™ provides a significant contribution to improve the time, quality and profitability of body repair jobs in your shop!

Order your Panel Beater™ today, or learn more about the features and specifications of the Panel Beater™ by clicking this link.

There are a lot of ways to pull a dent from damaged body panel.  We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 methods.  These methods have broken into two categories:  Inexpensive, ‘do-it-yourself’ methods, and professional dent pulling methods.

Below are the top 10 ways to pull a metal dent:

DIY Dent Pulling Methods:

These DIY methods are easy and cheap, but you may not get the results you expect.   While the basic ideas behind these DIY methods are sound, they often lack the power, temperature or the right tool (and the skill or experience) to remove all but the most superficial methods.  Nonetheless, for many people it is often the first thing they will try, before ultimately taking the dent to a professional:

#1  Plunger Method: For smaller dents, using a household plunger is often suggested as a dent puller. The process centers on creating a seal with the plunger over the dent, which is then pulled out forcefully to pop the dent out.  Although it's possible for this method to fix a small dent, it could result in more damage: The pressure that is created when you "plunge" could easily create more damage!  Be careful.

#2  Boiling Water or Hair Dryer and Compressed Air: Heating the dent with boiled water or a hairdryer and then quickly cooling it with compressed air might cause the metal to contract and pop the dent out.  If you’re wondering if a hair dryer is going to get metal hot enough to make it workable…you’re asking the right question.  This method will not likely work as hair dryers (or boiling water) are never going to be hot enough to make the metal pliable enough for a good repair.

#3  Dent Pulling Kits: Various dent pulling kits are available on the internet.   Dent Pulling Kits contain tools specifically designed for pulling dents (an improvement over the plunger method!), such as suction cups or adhesive tabs that attach to the dent. By pulling on these devices, you can gradually pop the dent out. These kits are relatively simple to use and may work on a minor dent.

#4  Dry Ice: Like the “boiling water” method, this method uses extreme temperatures (in this case, cold temps) to remove a dent.  If the dent is small and shallow, applying dry ice to the affected area can cause the metal to contract, potentially helping the dent to pop out. Generally ineffective on most dents. 

#5  Hot Glue and Dent Pulling: Using a hot glue gun or a specialty glue to attach a plastic tab or a heavy pin to the dent and then pulling it gently with a pulling tool can sometimes work on shallow dents. Once the tab is attached, steady and gradual pulling is applied to remove the dent.  The challenge is the adhesion of the hot glue, which will likely not be strong enough to pull out most dents.

Professional Dent Pulling Methods:

So, the DIY methods are basically good ideas with the wrong tools.  Professional body technicians have a variety of tools and methods to take out any dent.  For more complex dents and damage, here are the professional dent pulling methods:

#6  Dent Pulling with Pins: This method relies on the creation of small holes which are placed in and around the damaged area, into which pins are inserted.  Once placed, the pin is then pulled with a slide hammer to remove the dent. This method benefits from its secure and strong connection to the damaged material, which is necessary to apply leverage to pull the dent out.  Unfortunately, creating that strong connection results in more damage – and more repairs!  The pin holes require filling, and the entire area will need to be sanded, and the coating will need to be restored (primer, paint, clear coating, etc.…).  to match the desired shape and smoothness to restore the original appearance.

Obviously, this makes the repair significantly more time consuming and expensive. 

#7  Heat and Cool Technique: Professionals will use a heat gun or torch (not a hair dryer!) to expand the metal around the dent, followed by immediate cooling (usually with dry ice or a cold spray) to contract the metal rapidly, can help pop out the dent. However, controlling the temperature and the cooling process is crucial to avoid warping the metal.

#8  Paintless Dent Repair:  Paintless dent repair (PDR) is a specialized technique used to repair dents on a car's body without the need for painting or body filler.  PDR involves reshaping the damaged metal using specialized tools to push the dent out from behind, restoring the original shape and preserving the car's original paint.

#9  Hydraulic Dent Removal: Utilizing hydraulic pressure through special tools to push the dent out from the inside of body panels can be challenging, especially in tight spaces or areas with limited access.

#10  Dent Pulling with Stud Welding: This method is almost the best.  Rather than adding damage with pin holes, this method welds a small stud onto the dented surface to grab the damage, which is then pulled out using a slide hammer or pulling device.  Once the dent is pulled the welded stud is broken off.  This method is very effective for any size dent and can be less damaging to the coating or surface and require less ‘clean up’ that the above methods require, but there will be some necessary sanding and filling to recover the area where the stud was attached.  

#11 (Bonus!)  Dent Pulling with Electrodes:  As with the stud welding method, this method can pull almost any damage.  Like stud welding, the technician will use a slide hammer or a pulling device to leverage out the dent.

Since this approach uses an electrode rather than a welded stud to attach to the dent, it creates much less damage to the body and coating.   Breaking off the welded stud will cause damage to the body on its own.  However, an electrode can be easily removed with just a twist, resulting in very easy clean up as there will be no pinholes or welding damage to fix.  The Panel Beater^TM, manufactured by American Innovative Manufacturing (AIM) is the first dent puller designed to use this method.

Each dent pulling method requires some combination of tools and experience to accomplish a professional result. Moreover, the difficulty level can vary depending on the location, size, and severity of the dent, making it essential to assess and choose the appropriate technique for each situation.

Many of these methods are unreliable or time-consuming (hot glue, dry ice) or require a high level of skill (‘heat and cool’ technique), or are specialized for a specific type of damage (hydraulic dent pullers).  

Which method is ‘best’ depends on the type and extent of the damage, the skills of the person doing the repair, and the budget available.  For a DIY repair of hail dents or minor dings, some dent pulling kits or the plunger method may work – if you can avoid creating more repair work for yourself!   For more significant damage, the professional methods are going to be the only suitable solutions.   But when you compare each method, accounting for effectiveness, speed, and minimizing additional damage, one method stands apart from all the others.  The Electrode dent pulling method, (see Panel Beater™)  does not require additional damage to repair the dent (pinholes, studs, etc.), which results in a faster, better, and easier dent repair process.  The Electrode method, as demonstrated by the Panel Beater™ is superior to every other method.

The Panel Beater^TM

The Panel Beater™ was purpose built from the ground up to be a nearly universal tool for dent pulling.  It does not require advanced skills to operate and runs off its own onboard battery for convenience and portability.   In addition, the Panel Beater™ is a robust and affordable tool that has been providing consistent results for body shops around the country and globe for years.

To learn more about the Panel Beater^TM click here for a demo or read about the operation and specifications here.

Always prioritize safety and take caution when attempting to repair automotive dents yourself.

You are probably like most shop owners with one eye on revenue and profits and the other on operations and efficiency. With an uncertain economy, how can you affordably expand capabilities and maximize profits?

The 2020 SEMA show is going virtual, and American Innovative Manufacturing will be there!  If you, your co-workers or employees are attending the SEMA 360 event between Nov. 2nd and Nov. 6th this year, be sure to visit the AIM virtual showcase!

If you've wanted to learn more about how the original battery-powered dent puller, the Panel Beater, can help you make faster, easier dent repairs, the virtual SEMA show is a great way to ask questions and find out more!

We're also excited to share our ground-breaking advancements in battery and 110v powered MIG and Spot Welders!

We'll be on hand for virtual demos of our complete line of battery-powered Dent Pullers and Welders!

A battery-powered workhorse that delivers more than 350 amps of welding power while providing strong, spatter-free, and consistent welds on today's most demanding materials.

The IntuPulse is offered in three configurations to meet a wide variety of shop and material requirements. Every IntuPulse is charged from 110-volt power and offers hours of welding output with its onboard battery.

No generators. No Limits. No 220. Ever. The IntuPulse MIG Welder series from AIM.  Shop now.

Once again, we'll be bringing our industry-leading, battery-powered and hybrid dent puller and welders for you to see in person and experience for yourself why so many shops around the world love the power, quality and versatility that battery or 110v operation can provide!

We'll have the original, battery operated dent puller, the Panel Beater, our Hybrid Welding Station Spot Welder and the IntuPulse series of MIGS to demonstrate for you.  

So be sure to swing by our booth in the North Hall (booth # 10953) to see for yourself the game-changing difference AIM can make for you and your shop!

This operating manual applies to both the PB-1000 and PB-1100 models.

Click image below to open a link to downloadable PDF copy:

Now through the end of August AIM is offering retail customers Free Shipping of all Panel Beater Models.

See the Panel beater in action at SEMA in November Booth 10953