Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-27-2008, 12:56 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland , Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
Fixing a Dent

We bought our 2002 A/S Bambi with a dent in the front, just above the bumper skirt. The estimate we were given for fixing it was $4,000. We picked up a $7 tool to attach to the dent with suction and tried to pull the dent out ourselves. That didn't work but we were since told to use some kind of adhesive to keep the sucker on the aluminum. Suggestions have ranged from maple syrup or honey, which will wash off, to Elmer's Glue.

The darn thing doesn't have to look perfect, we just want to pull the dent out. Any ideas besides paying $4,000?
Muddy Waters is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2008, 01:11 PM   #2
4 Rivet Member
 
digger bear's Avatar
 
1971 23' Safari
Richmond , Kentucky
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 376
Can you post a pic?
__________________
Digger Bear
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

--------------------------------------------------------
digger bear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2008, 01:35 PM   #3
Aluminut
 
Silvertwinkie's Avatar
 
2004 25' Safari
. , Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
Yea, I agree. Most likely gonna need a pic to say for sure.
Silvertwinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 10:25 AM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland , Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
Thanks for that advice - will post a pic ASAP.
Muddy Waters is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 10:54 AM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland , Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
hERE IT IS:
http://patrickh.smugmug.com/photos/2...40_ZjTaj-L.jpg
Muddy Waters is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 11:07 AM   #6
3 Rivet Member
 
1973 25' Tradewind
Romulus , New York
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
Pull off the stone guard and give it a try.
jayray5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 11:39 AM   #7
New Member
 
1995 21' Sovereign
Georgetown , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
Fixing a dent

I have a 1995 21' Sovereign that has a similar dent just below the rs tail light. I tried the dent puller that uses hot glue with no success.
I have just received an inflatable blatter that I ordered on the internet.
This will require a small access hole to place the bladder between the inner and outer skin. I have made a 3 X 4 inch access hole behind the tail light.
I intend to work on this tonight or tomorrow. If it works, I will post photos of the process if I can figure out how to do that.
If this does not work, I will runa at it another way.
rbc1945 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 11:43 AM   #8
The SilverSleeper
 
Beaubill's Avatar
 
2001 28' Excella
2005 25' Classic
1988 23' Excella
Daphne , Alabama
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 210
Dent

Buy one of the taller stone guards and cover it up,or segments as Airstream calls them.
Beaubill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 12:01 PM   #9
4 Rivet Member
 
digger bear's Avatar
 
1971 23' Safari
Richmond , Kentucky
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 376
I have a 73 Safari and don’t know the layout of your unit.


Access to the front outer skin from the inside of my rig is not impossible - dont know about yours. If I had that type of ding, I think I would gingerly persuade it from the inside. I don’t think the results would be perfect but you might be able to get the worst out.

Otherwise I think Jayrays approach is the way to go: Pull off the stone guard and give it a try.
__________________
Digger Bear
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

--------------------------------------------------------
digger bear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 12:12 PM   #10
1950 Flying Cloud 7039
 
FC7039's Avatar
 
1950 21' Flying Cloud
Allen , Texas
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 611
A professional wants to fix it, not make it look better. Your dent has a crease (the right edge). This streched the aluminum. You cannot unstrech it. The best you will get pulling the dent is to make it look better. You will always be able to see the rumpled skin. A dent pulling tool can be used and the holes filled with rivets. I like the taller rock gaurd idea.
eBay Motors: 5lb 9 Pc Dent Puller :Auto Body Shop Repair Hand Tool (item 300228002124 end time May-28-08 13:03:10 PDT)
FC7039 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 12:59 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Aerowood's Avatar
 
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada , Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
Do you have any pictures with the segment protectors off? Whats inside the trailer where the dent is? The best approch besides replacement is to massage it out from the inside. Working it from the inside lets you work on the specific areas where the stresses are concentrated.
Aerowood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 03:10 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
2017 27' Flying Cloud
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Altoona , Florida
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,644
Cap it

Quote:
Originally Posted by Muddy Waters
From what I can see in the picture, I think the easyest fix is to cap it. I had a simular dent in the back of my Airstream. To get the curve correct, make a templet out of a heavy paper like oaktag. I used a putty knife to make a gap under the trim mold. I was pleased with the result.
Poprivet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 03:52 PM   #13
Aluminut
 
Silvertwinkie's Avatar
 
2004 25' Safari
. , Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
You can try to yank that one, but as has been pointed out, the alum has been streched. You could try going at it from the inside if it can't be done well from the outside, but really a panel overlay might just be the easiest and best solution, though most likely the most expensive.
Silvertwinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 04:26 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
enduroryda's Avatar
 
1994 21' Sovereign
Down on the corner... , CT
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 997
Images: 9
I would give it a go....

What I did with mine is with the suction cup, spray the area with windex,
place the suction cup over the area and depress it and hold it there....now heat up the area of the suction cup with a hair dryer. Now this will give you a nice tight suction...I got some pretty ugly stuff out using this method...still ugly but looks better to me ....I made aluminum bandaids out of flashing for the real problem areas.
__________________
Ann & Eric
WBCCI 6274
TAC CT-4
NEU
enduroryda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 05:04 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
2017 27' Flying Cloud
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Altoona , Florida
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,644
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
You can try to yank that one, but as has been pointed out, the alum has been streched. You could try going at it from the inside if it can't be done well from the outside, but really a panel overlay might just be the easiest and best solution, though most likely the most expensive.
I think I spent $100+ - for a sheet of Airstream aluminum at a Airstream dealer
Poprivet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 07:31 PM   #16
3 Rivet Member
 
79nTOW's Avatar
 
1979 29' Ambassador
Mobile , Alabama
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 154
several years ago i bought one of these for my husband. it is great!! we have taken it to mystic springs airstream park several times and my husband has removed dents for a lot of people. in april at the vintage rally there was a group from louisiana and about four of their airstreams had dents. david told them he would be happy to remove the dents but first they had to say they loved alabama football! they did so he did..so...for 4,000.00 we would be more than happy to come to oregon to remove a dent. all kidding aside we were in oregon three years ago - what a beautiful state.
Here is a link to a similar dent puller that we bought: Body Buddy Vacu-Dent Pneumatic Dent Puller
79nTOW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 08:37 PM   #17
Desert Fox
 
1985 31' Sovereign
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
Smile Hi,

I would drill a hole in the center of the dent 1/8" insert a rivet in and use the rivet gun as puller to pull the dent out . It takes about one squeise on the rivet gun to expand the rivet with out cuttin it. Pull gently on the rivet gun gun if the dent comes out all you will have a extra rivet in the body. You may have to do it twice but that is how body man pull out dents in cars. Regards from Russell in sunny and warm Tucson Az.
RUSSELL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 09:28 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
ROBERTSUNRUS's Avatar

 
2005 25' Safari
Salem , Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
Images: 18
Blog Entries: 55
Hi, 79nTOW has the best answer for pulling the dent out from outside. When I was in the tool business ["Mac Tools"] I sold these and I guarantee that once you have it sucked on to anything, you can't pull it off until you shut the air off. Very, very powerful.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
ROBERTSUNRUS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2008, 07:09 AM   #19
Desert Fox
 
1985 31' Sovereign
Tucson , Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
Smile Hi,

Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS
Hi, 79nTOW has the best answer for pulling the dent out from outside. When I was in the tool business ["Mac Tools"] I sold these and I guarantee that once you have it sucked on to anything, you can't pull it off until you shut the air off. Very, very powerful.

Robert when were you in the tool business? Also Where?I thought I was the only one.I was a Mac Tool Dealer in Barstow Ca. and Mac Tool field manager in Fresno Ca.Total of 15 years If you want write me directky use my E mai rdworian@comcast.net
Regards from Russell In Tucson Az.:rolley es:
RUSSELL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2008, 09:37 AM   #20
3 Rivet Member
 
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland , Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
Wow, you guys are awesome. My DH and I will look through all the suggestions and try a few things. Of course, the dent doesn't bother him as much as it bothers me so anything that requires the least amount of effort will probably be where we start.

When and if and how we deal with the dent, I'll post a pic of the results of our handiwork. It doesn't have to look terrific but it would be good to get out the worst of it.

Thanks to you all!
Muddy Waters is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help! I need advice on fixing a big dent. Deborah Penn Member Introductions 18 06-08-2008 07:42 AM
Worth fixing or not. chapparel Dollars & Cents 8 11-02-2006 09:31 AM
Fixing up the kitchen juel All Argosy Trailers 6 11-20-2005 02:19 PM
Fixing this Dent - How about this approach? mello mike Exterior Restoration Forum 10 09-15-2005 09:14 PM
fixing the antenna barbwire All Argosy Trailers 16 05-29-2005 01:30 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.