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05-27-2008, 12:56 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
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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?
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05-27-2008, 01:11 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1971 23' Safari
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 376
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Can you post a pic?
__________________
Digger Bear
Non impediti ratione cogitationis
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05-27-2008, 01:35 PM
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#3
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Yea, I agree. Most likely gonna need a pic to say for sure.
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05-28-2008, 10:25 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
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Thanks for that advice - will post a pic ASAP.
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05-28-2008, 10:54 AM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
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05-28-2008, 11:07 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1973 25' Tradewind
Romulus
, New York
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 139
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Pull off the stone guard and give it a try.
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05-28-2008, 11:39 AM
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#7
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New Member
1995 21' Sovereign
Georgetown
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
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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.
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05-28-2008, 11:43 AM
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#8
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The SilverSleeper
2001 28' Excella
2005 25' Classic
1988 23' Excella
Daphne
, Alabama
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 210
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Dent
Buy one of the taller stone guards and cover it up,or segments as Airstream calls them.
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05-28-2008, 12:01 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1971 23' Safari
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 376
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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
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05-28-2008, 12:59 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,527
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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.
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05-28-2008, 03:10 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Altoona
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,644
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Cap it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Muddy Waters
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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.
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05-28-2008, 03:52 PM
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#13
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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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.
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05-28-2008, 04:26 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1994 21' Sovereign
Down on the corner...
, CT
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 997
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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
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05-28-2008, 05:04 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2017 27' Flying Cloud
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Altoona
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,644
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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.
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I think I spent $100+ - for a sheet of Airstream aluminum at a Airstream dealer
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05-28-2008, 07:31 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
1979 29' Ambassador
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 154
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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
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05-28-2008, 08:37 PM
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#17
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Desert Fox
1985 31' Sovereign
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
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Hi,
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05-28-2008, 09:28 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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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
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05-29-2008, 07:09 AM
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#19
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Desert Fox
1985 31' Sovereign
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 250
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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.
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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:
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05-29-2008, 09:37 AM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
2001 19' Bambi
Ashland
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 106
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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!
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