I've a 67 Cutlass door with a 20" wide, 8" high and maybe 1/8" deep/shallow, no creases, area starting maybe 4" from the bottom of the door. Is there a definitive diy process to get the panel straight? Maybe the glue block method? All replies appreciated.

 

Pics would help. However, if you can't remove the dent with a hammer and body dolly then you could remove it with one of these:

http://www.eastwood.com/stud-welder-...ng-system.html

There's a cheaper one of these dent pullers at Harbor Freight. I can't speak to the quality though, sometimes you can rent these tools too.

 

Or you can use the previous version of that.

 

You really don't want to go drilling a bunch of holes in otherwise perfectly good factory sheet metal. I've also never seen a screw-type dent puller that didn't upset the metal around the screw hole, causing collateral damage.

More to the point, if there are no creases, don't use a puller. Try gently pushing out from the backside. Often, these shallow dents will pop back into place with minimal finish work required. You can also try a suction cup from the outside.

 

I just had a dent removed from my Miata, no crease but it was about 5 or 6 inches by 4 inches in a wheel arch. A paint less dent remover dude did it for $200 bucks, you can't see where it was now. Made me a happy camper.If mine I would get a quote, it might surprise you how cheap it can be done.... Tedd

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions.
I have a stud welder, having used it for deeper dents on other vehicles, and I tried this method after trying to push from the inside as best I could.
I could not leverage/tap enough, due to the inner sheet metal, to make a difference by pushing, and the stud welder improved the overall depth but does create the peak effect.
If I ever have this issue again, I will probably cut the inner sheet metal to have better access to the back of the dent. I just wanted to have straight metal with little filler. Proves again to take the time, however much.

 

You also can work wonders on a dent like that with suction cups or even a plunger properly sealed to the metal.

 

Or a glue gun and studs made for removing dents. Take the time and look through a few paint less dent removal vids on utube. you will be amazed at what a good technician can do. I was... Tedd

 

My suggestion was also going to be try using a plunger on it. Given the description/scenario there would have been nothing to lose with such an attempt.

 

I've had good luck with a door dent by prying from the inside out.