dent removal

[Terry,OH]

I have a 34-36 dry type air cleaner that is in restorable condition except for a dent in the body. The rear of the dent is not accessible any suggestion for dent removal?? Buying a stud welder is out of the question.

Thanks

[deuce_roadster]

Ask around, many of my friends have them as well as I do so someone near you would probably stick a few on for you. On that thin metal you need to be careful removing the studs.

[TJ]

Terry what about taking the air cleaner to one of those guys who do the minor dent removal on cars? They have tools that can get into places that we cannot reach with regular tools. Sometimes they may have to drill a small hole to get access, but the hole can be easily filled.

[rotorwrench]

Some folks drill holes and use a threaded slide hammer then weld up the hole. Some folks weld a washer or stud on. Others use the stud gun to keep it more simple. I use them all but the way you choose to go about it depends on the metal structure, the thickness of the metal, and whether the part can be dismantled for regular hammer and dolly methods. I must have over a hundred different tools that I have fabricated and purchased for metal forming or reforming. I have MIG, TIG, and oxy acetylene to choose for welding. Most of the time I use the O/A torch.

I sometimes have better luck just cutting out the bent part and welding in a new piece.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Some folks drill holes and use a threaded slide hammer then weld up the hole. Some folks weld a washer or stud on. Others use the stud gun to keep it more simple. I use them all but the way you choose to go about it depends on the metal structure, the thickness of the metal, and whether the part can be dismantled for regular hammer and dolly methods. I must have over a hundred different tools that I have fabricated and purchased for metal forming or reforming. I have MIG, TIG, and oxy acetylene to choose for welding. Most of the time I use the O/A torch.

I sometimes have better luck just cutting out the bent part and welding in a new piece.

Wow Rotor... have you been peeking in my shop? These are the exact methods I have used on filter housings.
I had learned long ago when repairing dents in these housings to keep it simple.

[19Fordy]

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Hope in my next car life I live in a neighborhood with "Kube" on one side and "rotorwrench" on the other as neighbors.

[Lanny]

On thin metal, I have soldered on a washer and then latch on to it
with a good visegrip, have someone hold the part while you pull the dent.




.

[tiger.1000]

That's a good idea Lanny

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Hope in my next car life I live in a neighborhood with "Kube" on one side and "rotorwrench" on the other as neighbors.

Think carefully of what you wish for

[Terry,OH]

Some good ideas! Thanks guys.

[rotorwrench]

Kube is right about being careful what you wish for. I still have helicopters landing too close for the neighbors liking as it is. I don't know about the next life.

Soldering should be OK as long as the metal isn't too bent up. The heat from soldering will also help with shrinking the stretch that goes along with a dent.

[alanwoodieman]

use body glue (used to repair modern junk) to glue a piece of metal to it and pull out dent and grind off the rest. the local motorcycle uses this method to repair gas tanks that have somehow acquired a dent and road rash--go figure!

[Charlie ny]

TB,
Slide hammer. To 'fill' the slide hammer holes and level the remains of the dents

I use JB weld. Let the b JB sit overnight then begin blocking it.
Charlie ny

[fourtydlx]

J.b.Weld can also be powder coated.

[JWL]

I suggest considering the paintless dent repair kit. It contains glue, glue-on studs, and attachments. It is amazing how the skilled user can make a dent disappear. Watch some of the videos on You-tube and see whether or not this might work for you. No welding, soldering, and in most cases, no painting.

[philipswanson]

Take it to a pro that does paintless dent removal. Those guys do a great job.

[countrysquire]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

Take it to a pro that does paintless dent removal. Those guys do a great job.

That's what I would suggest. Bring it to their shop and ask if they can remove the dent without drilling holes or other kinds of destructive surgery. They can do some amazing things with some unusual tools.