In Focus: Dent Fix AluSpot Deluxe Aluminum Repair Station

The Dent Fix Aluspot Deluxe Aluminum Repair Station, No. DF-900DX, is a complete aluminum, which allows shops to start working on highly profitable aluminum repairs. The five steps for aluminum repair are covered by the tools included in this set: Expose the bare aluminum, apply heat, weld pins, pull the dent and shape the dent. Unique features to this system include the locking doors and dust cover that ensures the tools are isolated from outside contaminants. The Aluspot includes a five-year warranty and is made in the U.S.A.

Selling points

Not many shops are set up properly to accept aluminum repair work despite the increasing demand. ASA chairman Darrell Amberson estimated less than 10 percent of the independent repair shops in the U.S. meet certifications and equipment requirements necessary to work on aluminum vehicles. The Aluspot can instantly get a shop into the aluminum repair business where repair rates can be up to three times higher than steel.
From repair to proper storage the DF-900DX is the most complete aluminum repair station on the market, according to the company.
The Dent Fix DF-900DX Aluspot is approved by Ford to repair the vehicle manufacturer's 2015 aluminum-bodied F-150.
Many other vehicles already use aluminum or are switching to the lightweight material. Some vehicles include the Audi A8/R8, Tesla Model S and 2014 Mercedes C-Class.

Features and benefits

This system works very similar to that of a stud welder. We include everything needed to address the five basic steps of working with aluminum: expose the bare aluminum, apply heat, weld pins, pull the dent and shape the dent.

Cross-contamination of two unlike metals, like aluminum and steel, can cause galvanic corrosion, thus ruining the finish of the repaired panel. Isolating the tools for aluminum use-only is controlled by the locking cabinet, three locking drawers and the dust cover. The drawers have die cut foam to keep the tools organized and accounted for. This tool can not only get a shop into a rapidly growing market but also provide a high profit while doing it.

Application

This unit performs maintenance on repairing dents and creases in aluminum panels.

The process and idea behind the service is similar to working with steel, but the only difference is aluminum behaves differently and has different characteristics, thus requiring a slightly different approach. After the paint and other surface coatings are removed and the panel is heated to a specific temperature, a capacitor discharge welder is utilized to weld pins to the raw panel. These pins are then pulled using a series of pullers designated for that specific type of pull. It does not weld aluminum cracks together, that is a different process all together.

Origin

Dent Fix Equipment always stays current with manufacturing processes so we are experts on repairing the new materials before they become adopted as regular processes.

In 2005, we noticed some vehicle manufacturers experimenting with boron steels and aluminum. Staying true to our philosophy of solving problems before they happen, we immediately started putting together prototypes to come up with a solution. For the last decade, Dent Fix has been working with aluminum and ultra-high strength steels. In that time we have developed the tools needed to be successful in getting the job done efficiently.

Manufacturing specs

The completed unit is made in the U.S.A. and comes with a five-year warranty.

Each station includes the following: Capacitor discharge welder utilizing a self contained weld gun with ground; Alu-Magnesium stud pins; hand T-puller; squeeze puller; lever puller; bridge puller; body file + 350mm blade; infrared temperature gauge; digital set temperature heat gun; pick/finishing hammer; curved pein/finishing hammer; 22mm soft face hammer; reverse curve hammer; 35mm dead blow hammer; bolster head nylon chisel; round head nylon chisel; double end nylon dolly; utility dolly; double end dolly; thin toe dolly; heel dolly; curved dolly; inline paint remover; stainless steel shoe handle brush; stainless steel tooth brush and dust cover.

Storage and display

The item is either truck freighted or shipped in individual boxes. Assembly is easy and handled by the purchaser. If displayed on a truck, It is displayed like any other toolbox. The wheels, doors and cabinet should be locked during transportation in a truck. The scissor top cabinet can be opened easily to display the welder. A DVD is available to be played during demos.

Seeing the unit in person really helps to drive home the quality of this unit and shows the customer that aluminum tools are not that different than steel tools they probably already own; once they are familiar with the differences and common practices.