 Dent repair
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Adjunct
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593 |
Hi all,
Anyone have any experience with repairing dents on the tank. I have a couple of small dents (smaller than my little finger nail) that I would like to fix (caused by the turn signals). I purchased a new tank last year (tank off a new bike, hadn't even had fuel in it. got it for $127) but would like to repair the other tank and possibly paint it.
I have seen on line that the dents can be pushed back out but I don't believe I have the necessary skills.
I have also considered sanding and then using body fill. Again, not sure of my skill or if that would be a good idea.
I would really like to mod it to smooth out the top so it looks more like a Bonnie tank. I definitely don't have the skills for this and probably can't afford it at this time. If anyone has paid for this mod I would be interested in costs.
thanks,
Jim
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
If the dents are that small, why not just prep and Bondo them over? Even brand new cars have some plastic body filler in spots to blend in any fitment issues. BTW, properly applied, Bondo is tough stuff.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
I fixed a badly dented jeep gas tank by carving rubber plugs, pressurizing the tank to 165 lbs with air and tapping on the dents with a deadblow hammer, actually worked real good. If I would have needed to achieve cosmetic perfection though, you guessed it, Bondo.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593 |
Quote:
If the dents are that small, why not just prep and Bondo them over? Even brand new cars have some plastic body filler in spots to blend in any fitment issues. BTW, properly applied, Bondo is tough stuff.
Thanks,
That was my initial plan. I just wasn't sure if that would work and of course of my skill. I guess I could always give it a try.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
weld a pin to it use a slide hammer to pull the dents out.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Yup, Ryk's idea of using compressed air just might do the job. I once restored a Honda with a badly dented tank. By filling the tank with compressed air that ol' dent just popped right out. You might get just as lucky with those small dents you're talking about!
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
fill it with water,put the cap on,then put it in the freezer for a couple days and if its not really bad, when the water turns to ice it will pop that dent right back to where it should be. then thaw, drain, blow dry, let set for a day or two and it will totally dry and you are good to go my friend. works everytime!!!! 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Geeze Myke... that's genius! Any chance of popping seal by using that method?
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Applied physics, definitely worth a try!
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
If the dents are that small, why not just prep and Bondo them over? Even brand new cars have some plastic body filler in spots to blend in any fitment issues. BTW, properly applied, Bondo is tough stuff.
Absolutely!!! 
No other suggestion is worthy for SMALL dings. 
All the others are POSSIBLE for bigger dents, but not the smaller ones.
(you DID say "smaller then your little fingernail")
YES, BONDO.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 512
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 512 |
Quote:
Quote:
If the dents are that small, why not just prep and Bondo them over? Even brand new cars have some plastic body filler in spots to blend in any fitment issues. BTW, properly applied, Bondo is tough stuff.
Absolutely!!!
No other suggestion is worthy for SMALL dings.
All the others are POSSIBLE for bigger dents, but not the smaller ones.
(you DID say "smaller then your little fingernail")
YES, BONDO.
+1
Just an old Hippie and I don"t know what to do.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
weld a little pin into the center of the dent and use a slide hammer to pop it out easy peasy.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593 |
Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be going with the bondo. Although, the weld seems like a good method I don't have access to a welder nor do I have the skill. Now, I just gotta come up with a colo(u)r scheme.
And yes I know black is the fastest but I think a charcoal grey might be fast enough for me.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
weld a little pin into the center of the dent and use a slide hammer to pop it out easy peasy.
Ya know loco, repeating yourself is a sign of... oh, never mind.
Meanwhile Jim good luck with the tank and don't be afraid to use that 'u' when and where it belongs. There are plenty of us from around the world that will back you up on that!!
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,494 Likes: 6
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,494 Likes: 6 |
If you have a slide hammer, attach a screw with a head the size of the dent, get some hot glue,put the glue on the screw head and stick it to the dent. Let it cool and try slide hammering it out. It might take a couple of trys depending where it is, depth, etc... The glue can be peeled off (hard some times)
'04' Black America
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
gun metal grey, burgundy, charcoal pin stripe.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896
phoenix
|
|
phoenix
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896 |
Quote:
weld a little pin into the center of the dent and use a slide hammer to pop it out easy peasy.
Go to a father son type body shop they will commercial glue a pin to the dent then pop it out.your jumpin over a dollar to save a dime here , mine have all been done like this.Only takes a few minutes, And we all know body men can't set around doin nothing they get fired essily that way.
bob s
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
JUST BONDO THE G.D. PIMPLE SIZED THING!!!  It's TOO DANG SMALL to go the FRIGGIN' MAJOR BODYWORK ROUTE!!!  (your gonna have to skim it ANYWAY!) JIMINY CRICKET MAN!!!  Peace, Erle 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Just took my pills, and a shot of bourbon.  I apologize for the previous outburst. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Welding on a GAS TANK should be left to professionals! But, if you want to try your luck, don't say you weren't warned.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
|
|
Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Not with gas in it! You gotta get the fumes out as well. If not your project could be a blast.
If you are worried you can put water in it. I wouldn't, an empty clean tank is safe.
However BSA Bob is correct a body shop (father/son) wouldn't charge much to do it. pop out a couple of dimmples.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457 |
There are a bunch of you tube videos on it, search "paintless dent repair".
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
Adjunct
|
|
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537 |
Jim, I did a dent repair course on the weekend and you might find the notes on this link handy. Just scroll down and click on the Beginners box and it will take you to dent repair notes: web page
|
|
|
Re: Dent repair
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Adjunct
|
|
OP
Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593 |
Thanks John. That should be helpful.
And thank to everyone else. I'll try to take some pics and post when done. (May take a while, I have a replacement tank I'm not is great hurry to get it done.)
|
|
|
|
|
