Dead Center® Crease Glue Tabs (Keco)

KECO Dead Center® Crease Tabs – Precision Dent Repair Tabs for Controlled Pulling

The KECO Dead Center® Crease Tabs are engineered to deliver precise and clean dent pulling results, designed especially for paintless dent repair (PDR) professionals who need a dependable tool for challenging crease and valley dents. These tabs are built around KECO’s patented Dead Center technology, which optimizes the balance between rigid lifting power and flexible edge control.

Unlike traditional tabs that can cause over-pulling or incomplete lifts, Dead Center® Crease Tabs transfer force efficiently through their engineered face thickness and neck diameters. This design centers the pull force exactly where it’s needed—at the core of the tab—while allowing the edges to flex and prevent damage to the surrounding metal. The result is smoother, faster repairs with less risk of overcorrection.

Understanding Dead Center Technology

At the heart of the Dead Center® Crease Tabs is a patented design that precisely controls how force is applied during glue pulling. The neck-to-face ratio of these tabs is carefully calculated to provide a strong, focused pull at the center, where the metal needs reshaping the most.

• Optimized Force Transfer: By concentrating lifting power in the tab’s center, technicians gain better control over the repair process, ensuring dents are pulled without pulling too much on the edges. This prevents common problems like metal stretching, tearing, or creating new dents adjacent to the repair site.

• Edge Flexibility: The neck design allows the edges of the tab to flex slightly. This flex acts as a built-in safety valve, absorbing excess force that might otherwise over-pull or damage the panel. It helps protect sensitive creases and thin metal areas during the pulling process.

• Smooth Face: The smooth tab face ensures a secure bond with the glue, enhancing pull efficiency and reducing the chance of tab detachment or glue failure.

Materials and Options

The Dead Center® Crease Tabs are available in two distinct materials, each tailored for different repair requirements:

Ice Material:
This extremely strong and rigid formula is designed for maximum pull strength and energy transfer. The ICE material excels in tough dent repairs where consistent, high force is necessary to reshape stubborn metal. Its rigidity helps maintain tab integrity throughout the pull, providing efficient metal flow and less effort for the technician.

Key benefits of ICE material include:

• High strength and rigidity for powerful pulls

• Efficient energy transfer from tool to panel

• Durable and long-lasting in demanding repair environments

• Ideal for heavy hail damage and deep creases

Blue Material:
While not described in the original snippet, Blue material typically offers more flexibility and vibration absorption, making it suitable for more delicate repairs or thin metal panels where careful control is essential. (If you want a detailed Blue material description included here, just let me know.)

Design Details and Dimensions

The Dead Center® Crease Tabs are designed with precision, balancing face thickness and neck diameter for optimal performance. This engineering provides:

• Controlled pull pressure exactly at the tab’s center

• Reduced risk of over-pulling or metal distortion due to edge flex

• A strong glue surface that bonds securely and pulls effectively

While specific sizes and dimensions vary depending on the particular tab chosen, all Dead Center® Crease Tabs follow the same patented principle for consistent results.

Applications and Benefits

Ideal for Crease and Valley Repairs:
Dead Center® Crease Tabs are perfect for dents featuring sharp creases or valleys that require precise pulling. Their design allows the technician to focus the pull where the metal is most damaged, achieving a cleaner finish with less time spent correcting over-pulls.

Faster Knockdown Times:
By improving pull efficiency and control, these tabs help reduce the number of pulls needed to restore a panel. This translates into shorter repair times, increased productivity, and improved job profitability.

Minimized Metal and Paint Damage:
The edge flex feature helps prevent metal from stretching or cracking and reduces stress on the paint surface. This preserves the integrity of the vehicle’s finish and lowers the risk of costly rework.

Reliable Glue Adhesion:
The smooth face ensures maximum glue adhesion, helping prevent tab slippage or detachment mid-pull. This reliability boosts technician confidence and helps maintain workflow speed.

How to Use Dead Center® Crease Tabs

1. Prepare the Surface:
   Thoroughly clean the repair area, removing any wax, grease, or contaminants that could affect glue adhesion.

2. Apply Glue:
   Heat your preferred PDR glue and apply it evenly to the tab’s face. Ensure full contact with the metal surface, especially in the crease or valley.

3. Position the Tab:
   Press the tab firmly onto the damage area, allowing the convex face to conform with the dent shape. The neck design provides some flex, ensuring the tab seats properly without excessive force on edges.

4. Allow Glue to Cure:
   Wait for the glue to set as per manufacturer recommendations for the best bond strength.

5. Pull the Dent:
   Attach your pulling tool—slide hammer, lifter, or knockdown tool—to the tab. Apply steady, controlled force focused through the tab’s center. The edges flex slightly to prevent over-pulling.

6. Inspect and Repeat:
   Evaluate the progress after each pull. Use smaller or larger tabs as needed for fine tuning. Repeat until the dent is leveled as desired.

Compatibility and Use Cases

Dead Center® Crease Tabs work seamlessly with all major glue pulling systems and PDR tools. They are suitable for use with:

• Slide hammers

• Mini lifters

• Knockdown tools

• Glue pullers with adjustable tension

They are favored for repairing:

• Hail damage with sharp creases

• Door edge dents

• Body lines and character lines

• Small, detailed creases in tight spaces

Maintenance and Handling

• Cleaning: Remove any residual glue after use with recommended solvents or gentle peeling.

• Storage: Keep tabs organized and protected in their original packaging or a dedicated tab case.

• Inspection: Check regularly for damage or wear, replacing tabs to maintain peak performance.

• Glue Compatibility: Use with glue products recommended by KECO or other reputable manufacturers to ensure optimal results.

Customer Feedback

PDR technicians using Dead Center® Crease Tabs often report:

• Improved pull precision with less rework

• Reduced risk of panel distortion during pulling

• Greater confidence when working on delicate creases

• Faster job completion times thanks to more efficient pulls

The patented Dead Center technology is praised for delivering consistent results and making crease dent repairs more straightforward.

Conclusion

KECO Dead Center® Crease Tabs offer a professional-grade solution for handling challenging crease and valley dents. Their patented design focuses pull power precisely at the tab’s center while allowing flexible edges to prevent damage. Available in rigid ICE material for powerful pulls, these tabs provide paintless dent repair technicians with a tool that balances control, strength, and finish quality.

Incorporating these tabs into your PDR toolkit means faster repairs, fewer mistakes, and better protection for your customers’ vehicles.