Huge High spot on roof

More of an art than a science - discuss metalworking and welding here.

User avatar

Board Moderator
Posts: 9870
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:40 pm
Location: ARIZONA
PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 7:10 pm
I have one that fits the description (never used LOL) so I will give it a try when I get the chance.
1968 Coronet R/T


ACTS 16:31



Settled In
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:01 pm

Country:
France
PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 11:36 am
The car is coming back to my garage this week ! I will try and do my best to work this panel !

I really want to thank you all for your help, it's amazing to read so much advices, and the sharing of your knowledge is really priceless .

Not only you gave me great informations, but I also feel greatly motivated by your messages !



Top Contributor
Posts: 6205
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Pahrump NV.
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Sat Jun 25, 2022 3:23 pm
Take your time with it if you don't have a shrinking disk get one and watch a few videos on how to use it properly.

Do not get excited and start pounding on it!!!! There is a lot going on with it and previous work which was not done correctly. get some Dykem or machinist Dye, a good flat Rasp file and be prepared to take your time Hours and hours to find Hi and low spots first.
Coat bare skin with the Dye then run file lightly over skin to identify hi and lows.
You use the file just to remove the Dye never to remove metal.

Just as a warning & description of how panel straitening takes place:
A Low spot over a foot or two feet away from main damage can lock a panel to coming back into shape in main area you are working DO not concentrate your attention to just the damaged area BUT the whole panel as a whole.
ALSO never work a dent at its lowest or highest place!
ALWAYS work damage from Outside in! NEVER at center of damage out! ALWAYS work Outside IN.

It is my opinion to always work low spots first before working the Hi spots, Avoid Hammer on dolly when working low spots as this stretches skin, always hammer off dolly AND NEVER hit the panel Hard!!!! Push up on low spots with dolly firmly to hard and TAP skin OFF dolly with Low crown hammer around the low spot to raise the low spots.

Repeat the Dye and file step keep working all low spots first when you got all of them then use the shrinking disk on Hi spots This will more than likely relax the skin were it was stretched reveling new low spots! which will again need to be raised and the process will repeat. Never over heat the skin You only use the Shrinking disk for friction to heat the panel enough to cause steam when cooled with a wet rag, never enough to get red hot Never enough to cause Blueing.

It just depends on how bad the skin was stretched by who ever did the work before as to how many times the process will require repeating.
I have worked a fender for DAYS taking my time repeating the process.

It is very possible to OVER work the skin and cause cracking of the skin so your work with the shrinking disk needs to be methodical as possible its not a magical eraser that you can just keep using over and over as long as you wish the metal wants to go back into shape it was stamped too it just needs gentle help to get their.

I strongly suggest getting a Old hood and or an old fender damaged ones are great and PRACTICE on them FIRST!!!!! If you get undamaged thats great too in your case go to back side of practice panel and put some big dents in it then practice techniques described too straiten it before attacking your project car.

I strongly suggest Getting a Book called "The Key to Metal Bumping" its small and less than 50 pages and costs less than $20 when I got a copy, The techniques explained in detail are invaluable to anyone doing auto body metal work.


https://www.amazon.com/Bumping-Instruct ... 350&sr=8-1

https://www.eastwood.com/wolfe-s-easy-s ... -kits.html

These are my favorite and go to tools when working dents, you will be amazed how much can be done with just these and a shrinking disk and a good Rasp file.

https://www.amazon.com/Martin-MRT158G-G ... 333&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Martin-1057-Ligh ... 291&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Martin-1059-Heel ... 291&sr=8-4
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

User avatar

No Turning Back
Posts: 774
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2017 10:06 pm
Location: I live in a house
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 2022 10:26 pm
Awesome tips Doright!!

A couple of years ago I took some weekend classes with a guy named Ben Starr who is an awesome metal shaper. Learned a lot, (then forgot), metal shaping certainly does take some patience.

Anyways, I bought my dollies off of ebay. I would just put in a low bid on ones that included shipping and then turn it off. The most I paid was probably around $15. Some were pretty rough - one I just wondered what the heck they did to it - but Ben taught us to break out the sanding disks and clean them up to a nice smooth finish. Then keep them with a nice smooth finish.
Sent by the random thoughts from the voices in my head...



Top Contributor
Posts: 6205
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Pahrump NV.
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 10:51 pm
OldFatBald wrote:Awesome tips Doright!!

A couple of years ago I took some weekend classes with a guy named Ben Starr who is an awesome metal shaper. Learned a lot, (then forgot), metal shaping certainly does take some patience.

Anyways, I bought my dollies off of ebay. I would just put in a low bid on ones that included shipping and then turn it off. The most I paid was probably around $15. Some were pretty rough - one I just wondered what the heck they did to it - but Ben taught us to break out the sanding disks and clean them up to a nice smooth finish. Then keep them with a nice smooth finish.


I don't get too crazy about Dollys, I too have my share of cheap ones I Have collected over the years and dont shy away from used anything if the deal is good!
I have way more Aerospace Bucking bars than I do Dollys but all are treated the same when they need cleaning up a Good Sanding with finer and finer grits followed by a quick polish with a rouge for Hard metals.

Hammers are another story altogether! Good Hammers are worth the money, I hate paying the prices for them BUT there is nothing like a NICE well balanced hammer in your hands!
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



Top Contributor
Posts: 6205
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Pahrump NV.
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Fri Jul 29, 2022 1:24 am
Any updates? Its been a while ....
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



Settled In
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:01 pm

Country:
France
PostPosted: Wed May 03, 2023 3:15 pm
Here comes the update ! I have tried, as much as I could but I couldn't flatten this high spot, in some areas the metal was cracking open, it was too much for me ! But thanks again for all your precious advices, I've learnt a lot !

I ended up replacing the roof myself, it took some times, but I'm really happy with the result

Image

cartoon pics

Thanks you guys, once again !



Top Contributor
Posts: 6205
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Pahrump NV.
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2023 3:49 am
At least you tried before throwing in the towel.
I have been their in my learning metal work with a Roof before. some times replacement is the only way to go. Metal can only take so much before it becomes work hardened.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.
Previous

Return to Welding & Metal Fab

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests