Common Tension Pulling Mistakes & How to Fix them

This video shows you how to avoid the most common mistakes PDR and Auto Body techs make when using tension on automotive sheet metal panels. It also gives you tips on using the Fairmount Method of Collision repair.
Large Dent Repair Theory Videos: A MUST WATCH!
• Using Paintless Dent ...
• Large Dent PDR Repair ...

[@igorgodoroja4967]

With no doubt I put my "like" 2 min before it starts because I am sure it's gonna be very helpful) Thanks a lot Marty.

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Yes sir!

[@autumnjeserich2689]

went to school for 3 years for auto collision and never learned any of these techniques. I found this video because I have a gmt800 pick myself that got wrapped around a pole by the filler neck. I thought the bed was toast(at least that side of it anyway), but I have been attempting to repair it just for the sake of getting better at working with metal. The information in this video is very helpful, I been able to pull a lot of it out with using glue tabs that have a pin go through them using a slide hammer and a bit of tension pulling the bed towards the front of the truck. I'm a bit stuck on the crown on the top side of the body line that I'm pretty sure is holding a small crease on the bottom side. Gonna go make some plates and get me some 3/4 rod today. I'm not a body or pdr tech by trade but I already told my everyone I know that would be interested in this type of content. Also when you did your shrinking I never heard of a powerbox before, I've always used the oxyacetylene torch(truck doesn't have original paint so if repair successful I will be painting it). Is a torch a good option for a panel as flat as a fleetside bed or is a different tool the right tool for the job. After watching my dad warp the shit out of a door on his 56 chevy by over heating it with the torch I been wondering about this

[@martyrunik]

Make sure and watch the two theory videos several times before doing or buying anything else!

[@barsberber87]

I'm so glad you're back, Marty. I am learning a lot from you. Thank you very much.

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

You're very welcome!

[@bremdogg56]

I just took a lateral tension class by Gene Fetty and in his class he gave credit to you for being one of the pioneers of using and lateral tension and you were really great at the science and technical aspect behind lateral tension. Thought you might like to hear this.

[@martyrunik]

Thank you, I appreciate the info. The science and technical aspect is not nearly as important as the practical use of tension though. That is what is lacking in most of the tension classes and videos I've seen. Very sad.

[@edyoung2802]

I am currently in pdr school . I came across your video and I think your method could be very helpful in larger repairs. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to watching more.

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Glad it was helpful Ed. Watch the 2 large\e dent theory videos also and the other repais we do using the Fairmount Method.

[@joelkoonce8559]

Thanks so much Marty. I definitely owe You one. The Fairmont method makes a PDR Tech a true Craftsman.

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Couldn't agree more Joel.

[@travlite8496]

I'm a new sub thanks for what you do i been doing bodywork 28 years and i'm still learning.

[@martyrunik]

Yes sir!

[@fabrizioillevabolli]

thanks a lot man! really fantastic lessons!

[@martyrunik]

Your welcome Fabrizio.

[@midnighttutor]

I have enjoyed watching and learned a ton from your videos going back six or so years when you started making them and I have seen all of them. Would you be able to help me with a non-pdr non-collision sheet metal issue I have? I am doing auto restoration of a 35 year old truck 18 or 19 gauge I bought new and have to cut and tig weld a number of replacement panels and also strip a pretty thick layer of paint. I am getting enormous amounts of warping, primarily dishing inward, on panels that have no backside access. I would love to figure out how the Fairmont method could be used. My tools are body hammers and dollies, stud puller, and shrinking disk. I have tried everything to put less heat into the metal while welding and stripping but it does not seem to make a difference. Thank you very much.

[@bremdogg56]

Loved the video. Moving on to watching, reviewing, and sharing your other videos. I’m a collision tech that moved into GPR P2P for the last year and working in getting to the PDR level self training myself watching videos, reading, and practicing the Fairmont Method. I even purchased the KECO L2E system myself since my shop thought I was crazy. I saw it as a complete game changer and the way the top techs were going. Ironically enough, I was just reviewing the “Fairmont Method” written in “Key to Metal Bumping” by Frank Sargent a few hours before this video popped up on my feed. My son is my apprentice and I’ve been teaching him the same techniques you teach as well the Fairmont Method and glue pulling. Thanks again for the excellent videos and sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@martyrunik]

Thanks for that. Don't forget to watch the two Large Dent Theory videos as they go into more detail on thee Fairmount Method. I also have more repair videos on this channel that should help you.

[@peimanzafaryabmatanagh3142]

Truth is finally back. Thanx for the information! Great like always

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thank you! 😁

[@frankpavan7865]

I am a Canadian pdr tech. Your videos are always very helpful to me. Thank you!!

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Good to hear that Frank. Thanks!

[@tonyyoung3902]

Thanks for the information it makes sense to me i dont know about others but i get it. I dont do body work anymore except on my own. I have a jeep with a dent in the right rear quarter right at the tail light. Ive got it better but havent got it quite fixed yet because im trying to do it without painting it.

[@jerodkirk]

Thank you, Very insightful. I primarily did conventional body work for about 18 years, switched to PDR full time 3yrs ago. Learned a lot from this video. I always try to keep up with efficient and proven repair methods. You give great clear explanation. Thank you

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks Jerod. If you haven't watched my 2 large dent theory videos yet, you may want to.

[@justinshields4216]

Yes.. welcome back marty. Cheers from redding

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks Justin

[@collisiontech_nick399]

Nice work on this one!

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks Nick. Sure wish it was the first time it was hit in that area so I could've PDR it.

[@collisiontech_nick399]

@@TopGunPDRTraining not every repair is the perfect repair. That’s why we have multiple ways to correct a damaged panel! Love the videos!!

[@timstocks261]

Awesome to see a new video, Your knowledge is valuable to us new newbies

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Glad to hear that Tim. Please tell others about them also.

[@randywee7765]

Rustoleum!! Looks great!

[@42bill]

Amazing video chock full of knowledge and information, Marty!! I’m so glad I was one of the PDR techs calling you and begging you to make some new videos. Those are super strong glue tension rod tools you made! Maybe you could build a bunch and sell them. I’d buy a set! -Bill on Long Island NY

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks for those kind words Bill. Now make some money from the info! 😁

[@42bill]

@@TopGunPDRTraining lol Marty, I’m wayyy too much of a novice tech to try large dents half this size…. But I would try them on your personal pickup truck!

[@dingking7577]

@@42billas a 29 yr tech I can’t recommend jumping into large repairs ASAP! Research and learn metal theories, understanding why and how metal moves is as essential as pushing itself. You don’t need to go to an expensive PDR class for a few days as KZbin alone has all the information you need. THIS INFORMATION AND HANDS ON PUSHING, CONSISTENTLY, ARE THE ONLY THINGS NECESSARY TO TEACH YOU! The best advise an experienced tech can pass down is to CROSS CHECK consistently, especially in the beginning so move your board every couple of minutes or have two set perpendicular and move your line of sight and only push in the direction your board going. The freedom a PDR career gives you in just a few years is worth ALL the frustration that each and every tech goes through. You’re already in a good place here on Marty’s channel, I can only imagine how much stress would of been avoided if I had this kind of info at my fingertips in the beginning. Once you’re confident in your finished work get MOBILETECH RX app to pice your repairs. Good luck.

[@42bill]

@@dingking7577 Thanks Ding King. If you are the original “Ding King” then we spoke years ago, and I think I also met you at the mobile tech show in Orlando earlier this year. Anyway, I went to train with Marty in late 2019 for one on one training. He was trained by oldschool metal workers and he is the last one still working in the field with this knowledge. I run a successful retail business in NY thanks to Marty, and I have a partner with 29 years of experience also, just like you. He was with Dent Wizard when they started. So I leave the big dents for him. However, I also taught him as much as he has taught me, thanks to Marty’s training!

[@dougpeirce726]

I really want to make a set of these tensioning rods. Do you have information, in detail, of their design? If not, could you make a video that goes into detail, how they work, what steel you used, all-thread, coupling nuts. I would really appreciate it. It looks like the one end, uses a coupling nuts that has been drilled out and is a sleeve? Any added info would be appreciated.

[@billseay6399]

Hey thanks again love it

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

You're very welcome.

[@louismaliaman230]

Love your video very educational. I am from the Philippines so I don't have the tools which I can buy to start this PDR on my vehicle. Thanks for your videos. Hope I cab apply it on my vehicle.

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thannks Louis

[@scottsammons1666]

Great video . O learn so much from you . Om new to this skill and want to learn everything correctly . I care about the quality of my work . I want to know more .

[@martyrunik]

Thanks Scott. Take your time and watch all the videos on this channel.

[@kauaixtremeshorefishing1021]

awesome info. new subscriber here.

[@jpanyk]

Omg. Welcome back Marty

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks

[@MohamedDiaa4]

Welcome back Marty 👌🏻

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks Mohamed

[@MrNickstevenson63]

Welcome back Marty No more breaks for you! 😅 You have way too much info to share to be taking time off. Cheers’ Nick

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Much appreciated Nick! It will definitely encourage me to put up more videos if I see techs start sharing this info with others and the subscribers to this channel go way up.

[@jejejei274]

You are the absolute best ❤🎉

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Thanks. Hope you found the information helpful.

[@jejejei274]

@@TopGunPDRTraining Yes Sir. Thank you!!!

[@dingking7577]

HE IS BACK!!

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

He is? 😀. Don't forget to spread the word to other techs. I have a lot of work to do to counter the misinformation out there about tension.

[@dingking7577]

We have a nice network of techs here in Tampa, Florida. No need to be competition with each other as there’s more work than there are quality techs. Kevin Byrd got us together 20+ yrs ago for dinner and started a beautiful relationship between us to where we were able ot trade accounts in different areas of town and we were able to streamline our day to day routes, less time driving = more time pushing. Sure we had 2-3 guys (out of over a dozen at the time) stab a couple in the back but they also shot themselves in the foot and not one of them were able o stay afloat over the next year or two. Plus who better to associate with than someone who spends the majority of working hours doing the same thing. A N D the ability to have coverage when you take a much needed vacation and not sweat the Wizards swooping in with their attractive sails girls that promise your accounts unrealistic prices and services (we get the accounts back but it screws up the efficiency we created for a couple months) is very very helpful in attaining the needed relaxation a vaca is intended to provide. The person that said they don’t want their competitors to have this info isn’t seeing the big picture. Every time a bad PDR is done, a bad mark is spread over their market, especially with nowadays with social media. Welcome back and THANK YOU MARTY for taking the time to SINGLE HANDEDLY bring these fundamentals to the spotlight.

[@jamessawanec3901]

Where did u get those tention tools?

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

I made them.

[@johnvega6353]

Do you make those tension rods or did you get them somewhere?

[@martyrunik]

Yes I make all my own speciality tools.

[@johnvega6353]

@@martyrunik sir that’s amazing!! I just found your channel, I’ll absorb all I can from your videos!!! I’ve been in Pdr for 25 years and still learning. Thank you sir!!!

[@martyrunik]

Your very welcome John

[@allenwilson6585]

what glue did you use?

[@TopGunPDRTraining]

Tab Weld

[@paulj5813]

Like the video. I would suggest a little higher audio, I had a hard time hearing even at full volume.