Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Squeeze It vs. Beat It Dent Removal

Every once in a while I get a pump in that somebody thought they would make look better by hammering out the dents with what looks like a ball peen hammer...OUCH! puts new meaning to the word pecker tracks.

Out of necessity I looked for a better way to remove dents because I am not that skilled with a body hammer and dolly. I found this method to be fairly easy to learn with good results. Keep in mind this is only the "rough in" phase and works nicely on survivor pumps. If the pump is going for a full on quality restoration then additional steps are necessary to get the metal worked out.

Using a Bessey sliding arm bar clamp will make you throw away your conventional "C" clamps, they are nice! Like a hand held press that can really lay down some clamping force. You will also need a variety of iron bars and a good work bench, you don't really need the 800 lbs. solid steel bench I have but it's nice.

You don't squeeze the dent out in one attempt, it takes multiple times moving the clamp around to work out the dent..patience!

Tom.

The finished result.

Another one.

WOW, come to my house.

Great job Tom. Slow and easily is the key as you say and let the sheet metal memory work for you.

That's some serious squeezing.

You got the knack, Tom. Thanks for sharing the technique.

Pretty cool, Tom. I have used that technique but not to that degree of a hit. Very nice.

Tom - thanks for the info. The results look good!

Eric

Humm, wonder if that will work for non porcelain signs that are thinner gauge? Probably would dent or stamp them in the shape of the metal bar...

Re: the second pump. What effect if any did it have on the curve of the front?

Very cool Tom!!

Thanks Tom, that is what the site is really all about. Sharing ideas.

Glad to share, I know I really enjoy seeing how other people do things. I try to keep in mind that this a very diverse group on here with different skills sets, some may find the info useful and some not.

Nicole brought up the question about the way the panel curved. You can't use a very wide piece of steel or it would tend to flatten the curve out and make a mess of it. In curved areas I use a narrow piece and keep moving it over a little at a time and work it out slowly.

Tom.

Thanks for the info Tom.

Nice! I've attempted that approach many times but typical clamps don't get the job done.