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Post by k10lan on Apr 13, 2013 18:38:35 GMT -5
The weather is finally about to turn so we can get back to working on the Shasta. I have replaced all the rotten framing in the front and am ready to reattach the front skin; however, first I need to decide what to do about the dents. There are two main issues as you can see in the photos. First, along the bottom, there is some kind of crease or severe dent in the aluminum. I am not sure what the PO did, but it is pretty serious. Is there any way to remove this? Heat and hammer out? Fill with JB or similar product? Paint over and call it "original?" Second, a bit higher (closer to the window), there is a more standard dent. The exterior photos are a bit hard to make out in terms of the severity, the inside shot gives a better idea of how significant it is. Here is a link to the photo gallery: picasaweb.google.com/110048008062876036386/20130413?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMTQ7J-j4J-gFA&feat=directlinkAny advice on how to fix (or whether if we should even bother) would be greatly appreciated. Steven
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Post by schweetcruisers on Apr 13, 2013 18:44:36 GMT -5
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Post by universalexports on Apr 13, 2013 18:50:00 GMT -5
Dents are hard to fix, a dent means the metal has stretched, so to get it shrunk back it has to be heated, then worked out, this takes a lot of experience. I think I would try to flatten it as much as possible then fill with something that has the same expansion/contraction rate as aluminum, I use to have a good link to something that people repair aluminum boat hulls with, but I lost in when my computer crashed about 6 months ago.
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mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 13, 2013 20:07:18 GMT -5
Straighten it and flatten them, shape them the best you can. Then bondo... Make sure you clean and the aluminum with scotchbrite really well before applying the bondo. Read the directions for aluminum.
If it's too big for bondo, replace the panel. We have sources for new metel skin.
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Post by skinnybumplip on Apr 13, 2013 21:04:46 GMT -5
We were wondering the same thing we have a dent in the Front panel above the front window.see pic it's pretty Big Attachments:
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mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 14, 2013 22:15:36 GMT -5
Ouch... That won't fix too easy. It's in a place that a cabinet is in front of so you can try this if you want. Cut a decent size hole in the paneling on the other side of the center of that crease using a multi tool. Don't go through the metal by accident. Maybe 3x3 inches. Then use something like a broom stick or your hands or something else to push that crease back out. Have someone on the other side with a brick held against the crease to push back against. If you can get it to stay pushed out somewhat without "oil canning" back in, then you can bondo the rest and hope it holds. Better to try that than to replace the entire top which is another course of action.
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Post by murryconst on May 6, 2013 14:08:18 GMT -5
Has any one tried the " paintless "dent repair There is kits and company who do this
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mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
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Post by mobiltec on May 6, 2013 14:17:52 GMT -5
Has any one tried the " paintless "dent repair There is kits and company who do this I have never tried it but aluminum stretches much more than steel and may not work as well. Aluminum tends to do things like "oil can" as my painter calls it. Means you can pop a dent out but it just pops right back in again with the slightes pressure.
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Post by murryconst on May 6, 2013 15:02:02 GMT -5
Thought that might be the issue Just had to ask
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mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
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Post by mobiltec on May 6, 2013 15:27:45 GMT -5
Also I have found that there are people who paint steel and people who paint aluminum. And there are those who can do both. But make sure when you ask someone to do body work or paint on your aluminum trailer that they know how to do all the prep work and body work on aluminum products. Very important.
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