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04-29-2011, 04:31 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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Dent repair using load jacks
Today I removed the inside end cap to expose the rear panel dent that came with the trailer.
The original view of the dent . . .
The dent pushed out with the jacks.
I'm pretty happy with the way it pushed out. A casual observer wouldn't ever know there was a dent there.
More on my Blog . . .
Gary
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04-29-2011, 07:04 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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Good job-looks great. I had similar problems in the back of my Trade Wind. I used body hammers and dollies because I had some sharp creases. Aluminum does not work like sheet metal and so you must be extremely careful not to stretch it and make it worse if one choses that route.
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Bruce & Rachel
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68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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04-29-2011, 07:28 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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The dent popped right out but it has some memory. When I first removed the jack the deepest part of the dent went back indented. Maybe it's due to some stretch but when it's out, it's just about perfect from the outside. I hesitate to over jack it out. I'm leaving both jacks installed with medium pressure for a couple days, then I'll check the pop out.
I'm tempted to warm it with the heat gun but I won't until I get some lessons in aluminum dent de-memory.
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04-29-2011, 10:18 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1970 27' Overlander
Espanola
, Full Timer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,753
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I have one in the rear--about the size of a cantalope...
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04-29-2011, 10:24 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I been taking lessons on YouTube. I was on the right track with heat. 400 - 450 degrees. I'll pick up some templac or a crayon at the welding shop supply Monday. My heat gun will be enough heat.
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04-30-2011, 09:52 AM
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#6
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65th Anniversary CLIPPER
1996 36' Clipper Bus
Tub City
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,309
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I would think a bit of backing with fg would give it enough strength to retain the original shape? ( I know you guys don't like f/g )
Another thing I have done on non aluminum projects is use a chuck of vinyl siding and construction glue to give extra strength. Might be worth a try.
Dave
Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitrock
The dent popped right out but it has some memory. When I first removed the jack the deepest part of the dent went back indented. Maybe it's due to some stretch but when it's out, it's just about perfect from the outside. I hesitate to over jack it out. I'm leaving both jacks installed with medium pressure for a couple days, then I'll check the pop out.
I'm tempted to warm it with the heat gun but I won't until I get some lessons in aluminum dent de-memory.
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04-30-2011, 09:58 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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What's fg?
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04-30-2011, 12:19 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Splitrock
What's fg?
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I think he means fiber glass. Probably adding a fiberglass mat from the inside for added strength and bonding it to the aluminum..
Of course, I'm just guessing on what he meant.
That repair looks great so far. Hard to believe it's the same trailer.
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"There’s two kinds of people, them goin’ somewhere and them goin’ nowhere. And’s that what’s true". -Ben Rumson
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04-30-2011, 01:18 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I'll add some heat to the area after I get some templac. I'm going to get the repair to sit flush by it's own motivation:-) Once I close this end back up, I don't want to mess with opening it up again.
From watching the aluminum auto body repair videos, the heat should set the metal. This is gonna be another notch in my skill level belt:-)
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