ALuminum grille dent removal ???

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Guys...

I picked up a decent '68 aluminum grille this past Monday...
When I looked at it on Saturday, it was still on the truck with no dents at all...
When I picked it on Saturday I was in hurry, so I didn't really look at it very well until I got it home.
There is a deep dent / crease on the driver's side, on the outside of the part that goes around the turn signal lens.
I think it was done when the seller was removing it.
It looks sorta like when you bend a beer can in half and straighten it back out, the dent and the crease are still there.

Is there anyway to fix it so it looks good?

KaptnKA S

[Joshpow]

I tapped out a dent in my headlight door with body hammers that had creased a little. However, it ain't perfect. If you had a body dolly with a similar shape, you might take time and patience and gently hammer it out. I can upload pics of my dent after I fixed it if you want. Kinda give you an idea of what I mean by not perfect. I believe you could straighten it good enough for a nice driver quality piece.

[kaptnkaos]

Thanks Josh...

I'm wondering if it is worth it.
I'd have to buy the all the tools, since I have none...
Ahhh... but now I do have one thing I didn't have before,
An excuse to get the new tools... yes !!!

KaptnKA S

[FLATBEDFORD]

I bought a set for $15 at a flea market. Clearly low quality, but I've only used it once or twice with pretty good results, for a rookie. I've had pretty good luck knocking the dents out of my aluminium grill. Doesn't look perfect, but it is better than before I started banging on it.

[kaptnkaos]

I literally know nothing about doing body work...
What should I look for as far as tools goes???
HF has some, are they any good?
It kinka ticks me off 'cause the rest of grille is really good.

KaptnKA S

[Joshpow]

My set was from Harbor Freight. They are pretty good for the money. They will do the job at least.

[69twotone]

Kaptn
I have the set from HF and I have had good luck with them. Any poor results I have had are because I am a novice. But the more I use them the better I am getting. I reccomend that set and it won't set you back much.

[foghorn]

I have always used blocks of wood or paint sticks to work chrome with. The reason being is hammer on top of dolly with stretch the metal and make it look pregnant. With aluminum you cant shrink it like you can steel. With wood you can also shape the block to the shape of the moulding. You also might have to recruit some one to hold the part while you work with it.




Foggy

[FLATBEDFORD]

I've also used wood. Mostly because I didn't own the right tools. Probably kept me from making too big a mess.

[kaptnkaos]

Thanks for the input Guys...

Hey Fog horn...
just wanna make sure I understand you right...
Should I take a wood block. 2x4 or what ever and shape like it is supposed to be. Does that then become the dolly?
So if I am trying to reshape the outer part of the lower corner of the grille shape like that then hammer it outward using the block to shape it with?
I am just trying to figure it out.
I have a basic understanding of working with steel like a fender or something... I've never done it, but have have seen it done a couple of times.

KaptnKA S

[kaptnkaos]

oops...

[kaptnkaos]

oops again...

I kept getting a posting error message...

KaptnKA S

[Joshpow]

I've heard of that too foggy. My grandpa once told me that was the trick for a strange shaped panel or lack of a dolly. I figure I'll finish my grille dent with wood being asd I haven't stretched it yet and I want good results, I'll stick to the words of more experienced people on this one. Thanks for bringing that up.

[fitzwell]

I have always used blocks of wood or paint sticks to work chrome with. The reason being is hammer on top of dolly with stretch the metal and make it look pregnant. With aluminum you cant shrink it like you can steel. With wood you can also shape the block to the shape of the moulding. You also might have to recruit some one to hold the part while you work with it.




Foggy

bingo.

A "panelbeaters bag" might be of some help, or something to rest the outside of the grill on whilst you're working the inside. I did the grille on my old ranchero & it turned out pretty good, all things considered. Slow & steady is the key here