time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

josephu · Post by **josephu** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:04 am

another quick way to shrink metal if you have the stud gun, is to press the stud gun with no stud in it on the area you want to shrink (bare metal) and just do a quick tap of the trigger, and quickly cool it with your wet rag. That is, if, you get the stud gun (that 1 on ebay looks pretty good, I might have to buy it), good luck, take some in progress pictures, and keep us posted.

67mann · Post by **67mann** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:21 pm

Same as when you weld sheet metal---little at a time,but with a mig on the size holes your making---Don't think you'll be overheating the area and you can alway hit it 2-3 times instead of just once

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:24 pm

allright cool

im going over there right now, i have the camera, lets see how it turns out!

josephu · Post by **josephu** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:56 pm

youre probably allready doing it, but I just remembered something, I think they finally invented some glue on studs, 2 part epoxy maybe, maybe someone who have used it will know better.

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:21 pm

just got back with the truck. the dent remains. there wasnt a slide hammer anywhere to be found. and the dent shop next store was closed.

but, ill drill the hole sthis weekend, by a slide hammer, get as much as i can out of the dent, and BONDO the holes shut.

problem is i dont know how i will shrink the metal.
we do have a propane torch. think that would work?

4th effie n counting · Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:18 pm

well i think the fewer holes you drill the better off you'll be. Another thing to think about is trying to plan your strategy, the more you pull & hammer you will weaken, stretch the metal more. Slow and careful would be my approach, I am another with almost zero body experience tho.
In my opinion you are young and determined, that is great in my book

, so worst case scenario you will either be happy with result or you could go the route of cutting a section of bump from another bed and have it welded in.
Let's see some pictures as it progresses please Ryan

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:24 pm

well the only progress pic i have now is this

:

i got it all sanded and ready for drilling.

im going to call around tomorrow and find a slide-hammer.

67mann · Post by **67mann** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:48 am

Ryan your gonna want low heat when you shrink anyways--you don't want to blow a hole through sheet metal---just get the area cherry red and then put wet rag over(dab it)until its cooled off. When you do apply the heat---don't hold it to close or in one spot----more less circulor motions. The bigger dents that you beat out---are what need it the most---Like Keith said the metal has stretched (going in and then coming back out)and without strinking--it will flex like a pop can. On your big dent, take
your time and you'll do fine(don't over think it ),but I would strongly suggest welding/not bondo on your holes!---Only point being---what happens when you got your nice Orange and W White paint job done and someday the bondo falls out

josephu · Post by **josephu** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:13 am

a certain type of body hammer is a shrinking hammer, go to the tool store and get one

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:18 pm

67mann wrote:Ryan your gonna want low heat when you shrink anyways--you don't want to blow a hole through sheet metal---just get the area cherry red and then put wet rag over(dab it)until its cooled off. When you do apply the heat---don't hold it to close or in one spot----more less circulor motions. The bigger dents that you beat out---are what need it the most---Like Keith said the metal has stretched (going in and then coming back out)and without strinking--it will flex like a pop can. On your big dent, take
your time and you'll do fine(don't over think it ),but I would strongly suggest welding/not bondo on your holes!---Only point being---what happens when you got your nice Orange and W White paint job done and someday the bondo falls out

good points

on the welding of the holes and not bondo'ing , this thing isnt going back down to the welding shop, so maybe ill just wait for harbor-freight to have a sale, and get a $100 stud gun, and a slide hammer and do it that way. the stud gun should last a couple days at least for pulling this dent. what do you think?

josephu wrote:a certain type of body hammer is a shrinking hammer, go to the tool store and get one

like this?

i dont see how it shrinks

josephu · Post by **josephu** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:02 pm

Shrinking hammer - which has a heap of teeth on the front, could also be used, this bites and twists the steel crystal/grains together when it strikes causing the spot to "shrink", to be used with a sand bag or a dolly

Faltura · Post by **Faltura** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:02 pm

My right side bump is completely flattened 90 % down the bed. I don't think there is a body guy in my area who could do a good job without wanting to slap the filler in. Its a shame cause the rest of the bed and tailgate is in great shape.

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:08 pm

can i see a picture of that dent? sounds brutal

well i have decided i am going to buy this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/C ... pricetype=
once i get the money.

Faltura · Post by **Faltura** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:28 pm

I'll see if I can get a picture and post it.

The FORDification.com Forums

time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

Re: re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?

re: time to deal with the big dent! how should i do it?