In this powerhouse episode, Gene sits down with world-renowned technician, tool designer, and industry innovator Jonathan Vandenfontyne (JVF Tools). If you’ve ever wondered how large-damage glue-pull repair evolved… or how Keco’s collision system came to life… or what it takes to invent next-generation PDR tools… this episode is a must-listen.

Jonathan shares his incredible journey from classic European collision work to becoming one of the most influential minds in modern glue-pull and lateral tension repair. You’ll hear the real stories behind the tools, the breakthroughs, the failures, and the innovations that changed the collision and PDR industries forever.

Growing up in Belgium and entering collision work at 16.

Training under specialists who handled massive structural repairs.

Seeing his first PDR tech using handmade tools in an old Peugeot factory.

His obsession with learning anything he didn’t understand — including paying just to watch a tech work.

Buying the original Würth glue pulling kit around 2004–2005.

Everyone said: “Don’t waste your money — it doesn’t work.”

Jonathan refused to accept that.

Experimented with cleaners, temperatures, polishing, and techniques until he made the kit perform at a high level.

Discovered glue pull solutions for repairing RVs and mobile homes where pushing wasn’t possible.

Flew standby thanks to his wife working for United Airlines.

Walks into MTE for the first time — “felt like Disney World for PDR.”

Discovers the first-generation flexible centipede tab.

Immediately realizes:

“This tab is incredible — but where are the tools to actually use it?”

Builds his own prototype pull towers, bridges, feet, and hydraulic adapters at home.

Starts pulling massive dents in minutes instead of hours.

Gene and Jonathan discuss one of the most influential glue pull videos ever posted—Jonathan’s 2017 “horse-kicked” van quarter panel repair.

A massive double-wall smash

One Ice Centipede

A hydraulic pull

And the dent walks out in minutes

Jonathan received hate mail claiming the repair was faked

But it became the “aha moment” for thousands of techs (including Gene)

Jonathan collaborates with Chris White, Tim and Jerry at Keco.

Designs early prototypes of:

Centipede tabs

Ice tabs

Large-damage pulling systems

The 7mm Dead Center crease tab (born from grinding down a 12mm tab on a whim!)

This evolves into today’s Keco GPR system used worldwide.

Jonathan shares why he launched his own brand:

Always operated as a freelancer — never an employee

Wanted to build tools that he believed were missing

Wanted to advance lateral tension and combination pulling

Paired with Barry McKearnan and engineer Jerry Leopold

Their combined thinking leads to the invention of…

One of the biggest leaps in glue pull tech in the last decade.

Jonathan breaks down:

The science of pulling vs. pushing

Why diving feet were a problem in earlier systems

How retention allows:

Lateral tension

Vertical lift

Or both at once

Why that creates “metal flow” instead of fatigue

Why combining tension with cold glue is so powerful

And how the new Mini Retention System gives PDR techs access to the same concepts in a lighter form

Gene and Jonathan discuss:

The JVF glue gun (a game-changer for high-volume glue use)

Glue pellets

The upgraded orange lifter adapters

Cold glue techniques

Prototype testing

And how Jonathan gauges whether a tool is worth producing:

“If I don’t reach for it as my go-to tool… I don’t release it.”

Jonathan previewed his upcoming 3-day Elite Masterclass featuring:

Gerson (Brazil)

Martin Suur (UK)

Barry McKearnan

John Vidic (USA)

And Jonathan himself

This event is Europe’s answer to PDR College — built for serious techs seeking elite skills in:

Lateral tension

Smash work

Large damage

Finishing techniques

Metal flow

Panel design and mapping

And advanced glue pulling

A professional videographer is filming the entire event for future release.

He closes the episode with incredibly important advice:

“If you invent a tool, protect it.
Get a patent.
Even a basic one.
We are in a time when everything is copied immediately.”

He shares:

How Alibaba/AliExpress copied his Retention System instantly

How his patent allowed him to have all copies removed

Why new inventors MUST protect their designs

Why copying hurts the entire industry

Why supporting original creators ensures we keep moving forward

Gene reminds listeners:

Knockoffs damage innovation

Tool creators like Jonathan, Keco, CamAuto, Anson, etc. push the industry forward

If techs don’t support innovators, the innovations will stop

Invest in real tools from real industry people — not cheap imitations

JVF Tools: https://www.jvftools.com 

Upcoming European Masterclass: Available on JVF site

Retention Tools available through:

Anson

Keco

Morgan (EU distributor)

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Website: dentrepairnow.com

YouTube: @dentrepairnow

All Access Podcast #45 — “Jonathan Vandenfontyne: The Story Behind the Innovation”