C1 moulding dents

[Jeff 58]

Does anyone have any hints on taking small dings & dents out of stainless molding I have a metal shop that specilizes in SST fabrication & it would be embarrising to sent a ding repair out . Just looking for Ideas before I jump into it with both feet THX JJ


http://jjmetal.com

[Jerry Clark]

Re: C1 moulding dents

Hi Jeff:

These dents can be removed but it takes a fair amount of patience and time. They can be "dollied" out from the reverse side but if you don't get them right they will show when polished. If you have a handy shop, get a price and base your decision on money Vs time spent and experience gained.

Best of luck.

Jerry

[Robert C.]

Re: C1 moulding dents

Jeff, There was a segment on My Classic Car TV show last weekend that explained how to remove dents from SS mouldings. The pieces have to be off the car so you can use a buffing wheel. Eastwood sells a kit with 3 different grade buffing wheels and compounds. The stainless dents are tapped out from the rear, then sanded to blend with surrounding area then the three progresively fine polishing wheels are used to return the surface to like new. Jim Richardson is the restorer on the show that does it. He makes everything look so easy!!!

[Jerry Clark]

Re: C1 moulding dents

Hi Bob:

I saw that segment and began to wonder about Jim Richardson. Do you think he really does his own work or is he like Norm Abrahams, has a whole bunch of grunts, off camera, that make him look good. He makes everything look easy, if it were so simple the shops that specialize in this work would be out of business. This proceedure takes a lot of skill and practice.

Jerry

[Gene M.]

Re: C1 moulding dents

Jeff, The suggestions given are good. I'll add: use a piece of DELRIN shaped roughly to the back side of the molding in the dented area, as shoe. DELRIN has just enough give to not "reverse bend" the dent out the other way when hammering on it. Try to get the repair as smooth as possible, using shoe and hammer prior to block sanding and buffing.

[Jeff 58]

Re: C1 moulding dents

Good Idea I have a few sheets of delrin that could be put to use Thanks JJ


http://jjmetal.com

[Chuck G.]

Re: C1 moulding dents

I read an article years ago that said that, from the inside, you should start pounding or picking out your dent from the outermost edge, and then work in a spiral pattern to the "center" of the ding, using a dolly on the outside. As I remember, this diminishes the further stretching of the metal caused by the dent. I've picked out a few small dents and dings myself, then used a flat file to make sure that my repair was "dead flat", then used various grades of sandpaper, finally polishing them on a buffer. I've been pleased with my amateur efforts, but have never tried anything that is seriously bent or distorted. Chuck