Bending aluminum

[tinystream]

Hi everyone, I'm in the final stages of replacing my curved curbside window on my 75 argosy. Parts of the frame are damaged/bent and im looking for advice on how to bend this back into shape. The photo shows it attached to the trailer but that piece has been removed now. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[AWCHIEF]

If you do not know what you are doing Aluminum can be tricky stuff. Personally I would find a good local body shop that works on custom/vintage cars.

[57Vintage]

How about photos of the piece. I assume its not extruded aluminum. If not, a minor deformity can be taken care of with a little work.

[tinystream]

Here's the piece. It's part of the window frame (the inside part) the actual window frame pieces are alight bent in at the end also. My first thought is dousing it in boiling water then bending? Is that a bad idea?

[Aerowood]

The aluminum framework that Airstream used is a very soft alloy. You should be able to re-form it nicely with a hammer and some dollies

[57Vintage]

Most of the damage you can probably straighten by hand or use a piece of wood to push it flat. Work from the inside out: First the larger flat area, then the edge. Once its close use a hammer & dolly (work bench, piece of square tubing for dolly) and use LIGHt taps. Heavy blows will stretch the metal. As Aerowood mentioned it is very soft.

[tinystream]

Thank you!!!

[AlbertaBound]

wood hammer for shrinking metal. metal hammer for stretching.