1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Dent Repair

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Buster1, Sep 22, 2021.

  1. Sep 22, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
    Messages:
    49
    No, I didn’t do it!! :D

    Wondering what the pros have for ideas on how to repair this dent? If possible. What tools or techniques do you just use that might work here to try to bend this back out.

    Replacing the whole quarter panel is not an option nor something I really want to do.

    Thanks!

    BFA73A7B-D2DC-44D5-B9B5-1EF070586441.jpeg
     
  2. Sep 22, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    That's a big topic. Try a basic book or some u-tube tutorials to get started - then learn as you go, as we all do with our jeep hobby.

    Looks like there is already some bondo in that corner, maybe some rust. Needs to be excavated. A 4-1/2" angle grinder is a great tool for many many purposes.

    Alternatively, of course, the classic response is a diamond plate corner as a cover-up.
     
  3. Sep 22, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    The simple answer is - apply force opposite to the direction of impact.
    The steel has some memory of its original shape, and will go most of the way back if you reverse the trauma.

    The Key To Metal Bumping (panel beating, auto body repair bible).pdf

    If you search for "metal bumping" and/or "dent repair" you will find plenty of articles and videos to learn from.
     
  4. Sep 22, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    the question is- what sort of condition is the metal undernreath? If you have rust issues a new rear corner may be required

    If it is sound then you're looking at some good quality hammer & dolly time & maybe some shrinking- always rewarding time well spent :)
     
  5. Sep 22, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,457
    Even if it's not sound, if you don't want to replace it, the hammer and dolly it will be. I'm not seeing bondo but maybe it's just my poor eyesight. I would use a stiff wire cup brush on a 4 1/2" angle grinder to take the paint and bondo, if it is there, off. That will tell you if you can successfully weld up the crack and beat the dent out.
     
  6. Sep 22, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Could be, could be not, but gives pause to consider...

    upload_2021-9-22_14-31-40.png
     
    PeteL likes this.
  7. Sep 22, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
    Messages:
    49
    Thanks guys! I’ve never done body work... looks like I’m about to learn! I will check out a hammer and dolly. Agreed on wire brushing off everything back there on that panel (and elsewhere too).

    So there is zero bondo anywhere on my Jeep. That horizontal crack is just the metal that stressed from the dent impact years ago (I believe). The frame and body have remarkably little rust and weathering, it sat in a barn for the last 40 yrs or so. Seems to just be old metal, but she does have at least 4 coats of paint that I’m slowly getting removed. I think that helped protect the metal some.
     
  8. Sep 22, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Another comment - before I started to hammer on the backside, I would weld a tab to the center of the dent and pull on that. I'd guess body shops would use either a stud welder and slide hammer or the porta-power and a post anchored to the shop floor to pull the majority of the dent. Then work over the remaining minor distortion with a hammer and dolly. Not much personal experience, other than hanging out around the body shop back in the day.
     
  9. Sep 22, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I doubt you'd need that where there is good access from the rear. Good hammer/dolly technique will incrementally reverse the sequence of the original impact.
     
  10. Sep 22, 2021
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    the stud gun is faster than hammering but that dent will respond well to smashing .
     
  11. Sep 22, 2021
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Good start but go into this understanding there will be when you're done- your job it to get the high spots down to where they belong & the low spots up to within 1/8" - 1/16" of where *they* belong; you'll never get it perfectly flat- you will need some filler on there.
     
  12. Sep 22, 2021
    52M38-73CJ5

    52M38-73CJ5 Member

    Wenatchee WA
    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2020
    Messages:
    154
    Watch out when you start cleaning things up. Mission creep can get you here.
    I was going to freshen up the inside of the tub.
    upload_2021-9-22_18-32-2.jpeg
     
    Ol Fogie, dozerjim and Fireball like this.
  13. Sep 28, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,457
    M38. Congrats! IMO, the best of the low hoods.
     
New Posts