Do non-drill dent pullers work on steal CB tanks?

[Modgod1]

I'm looking to polish a spare tank I have to a chrome like finish, but it has a small dent or two about 2inches wide with 1/2 in. maybe a bit more depth. I can't drill into it, because I want to polish it, so will those glue non-drill pullers work? Also, is there one in particular you would reccomend?

Thanks,

 

[pacomotorstuff]

Don't know about the stick on ones, but a friend of mine bought a weld-on stud puller that works the bees knees.
Spot welds the studs on, it attaches to a slide puller (looks like the old screw type one in the bottom of my toolbox for the most part) and you slam your way to dent free. When you have the correct profile, you take a dremel tool or die grinder or some such with a cutting wheel and cut it off as close as you dare and sand away the rest 'til you've got your profile.
If I can bend his arm a bit, I'm going to do my RD400 tank that's going on my RD350/400 hybrid next week. I'll let you know how it goes.
Regards,
Pat Cowan,
Vintage Motorcycle Fiberglass

 

[rrjlind]

I've heard u can fill it up with water, and freeze it, the water expands and pops the dent out, sounds crazy, but it makes sense.

 

[Staffy]

Just don't use compressed air. A mate of mine has a ballooned tank that shows just how bad that can be. Even with the ballooning the dents are still there.

 

[Modgod1]

Don't know about the stick on ones, but a friend of mine bought a weld-on stud puller that works the bees knees.
Pat Cowan,
Vintage Motorcycle Fiberglass

Unfortunetly I don't weld.

 

[Modgod1]

I've heard u can fill it up with water, and freeze it, the water expands and pops the dent out, sounds crazy, but it makes sense.

Now that you mention it, I remember hearing that a long time ago. Do you know of any links? I'd prefer proof before trying it!

 

[ako]

The frozen water trick is used on dirt bike pipes too.

 

[BCBarker]

If you are going to try the frozen water trick, stuff a black trash bag in there first. then you don't have to worry about the water/bare metal/rust part of the equation.

 

[Haligonian]

I remember reading some time ago (I think it was in the tank a seat section) about JRK5892 testing to see if the frozen water trick works. You way want to search for his results. If I remember correctly I think the tank split and still had the dents. I think in that same thread it also described a method of heating the dent then putting ice on it (while its still hot) to help pop it out. Best of luck, please keep us informed if you try any of these methods.

 

[hurricane7]

Have you thought about using "paintless" dent removal tools? Depending on accessibility from the inside of the tank and your dents, it might be the way to go. There are many different tools available, but I imagine it would not be that difficult to make your own. Google "paintless dent removal tools" for some ideas.

 

[Modgod1]

No I won't be trying the frozen water thing, more than likely it will destroy the tank.

I will try some of these ways though, and from a DTT member!


4 ways to pop a dent from a motorcycle gas tank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkbFhPrJ14w