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By Gene Fetty |  March 18, 2026    

If you’ve ever said, "I just can't get it to stick!" you aren’t alone. The secret isn't a "magic glue"—it's the process. By following the KECO 6C Process, you can achieve strong, repeatable pulls regardless of the substrate.

The 6C Process: Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. CHECK

Before you reach for the glue gun, do your homework:

•  OEM Procedures: Ensure the repair is appropriate for the vehicle. 
   

• Substrate: Are you working on mild steel, aluminum, or high-strength steel?  Knowing the metal determines how aggressive you need to be. 

   

•  Temperature: Use an infrared thermometer or camera to ensure the panel is in the ideal range of 75-90°F. 

   

•  Glue Gun: Ensure your gun can reach 190-200°C (360-390°F) to properly activate collision glues . 

   

2. CHOOSE

Strategy is key to a clean repair:

•  The Path: Work from strongest to weakest and deepest to shallowest. 

   

•  The Glue: Use dedicated collision glues that withstand extreme force while remaining flexible.

   

•  The Tab: The tab must fit inside the shoulders of the dent—never overlap them. 

   

•  The Device: Choose from slide hammers, lifting beams, or pull towers, ensuring feet are placed on or beyond the crown. 

   

3. CLEAN

Contamination is the enemy of adhesion:

•  Wipe the panel and tab with 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). 

   

•  If the panel has wax or transfer marks, polish it with a compound first, then follow up with IPA. 

   

•  Pro Tip: Never use petroleum-based solvents on your tabs. 

    

4. COAT

•  Heat the Panel: Warm the area to 120°F to remove moisture.

   

•  Warm the Tabs: Get them to approximately 100°F.

   

•  The "Bed" of Glue: Apply glue generously edge-to-edge .  Place the tab into a "bed" of glue (like a mason setting a block) rather than smashing it all out. 

   

5. CORRECT

This is where the metal moves:

•  Timing: Pull when the tab is below 90°F, but don't let it drop below 75°F (where it becomes brittle). 

   

• Technique: Apply constant pressure.  When you feel resistance, begin knocking down crowns or high spots while maintaining tension. 

   

   

•  Release: Use 99% IPA to release the tabs cleanly. 

   

   

6. CONTINUE

•  Wipe the panel and reassess your progress. 

   

•  If more movement is needed, simply loop back to step one and repeat the cycle. 

   

 

Tech Tip: When using an infrared thermometer, place the tip close to the tab.  Holding it too far back gives an average temperature of the whole panel, but you need the exact reading under the tab for a successful pull. 

 

About the Author

Gene Fetty is a nationally recognized technician and educator in the PDR industry.  He has been teaching glue pulling to technicians worldwide since 2019. For more training resources, visit dentrepairnow.com. 

How has implementing a structured process changed your repair times?

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