Or go the EXTREME route as I did...remove the hood completely from the car (used markers and painters tape to keep track of original hood alignment to hinges) and placed hood on a work surface.
I needed to get some dents removed as well, which is why I got the hood off in the first place. PO must have had King Kong work on the car as there were two distinct depressions from someone leaning forcefully on the hood while closing it!
