Tank dent removal methods

[Ichiban Moto]

It has come in very handy ... especially when using my blasting cabinet !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNEEQfMc1-M

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

All 4 cfm a once?

 

[Ichiban Moto]

....you have to feather the trigger for optimum control

Back to the topic at hand: I have added "dent removal" to my long list of future how to videos!

send me a fuel tank

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

....you have to feather the trigger for optimum control

Back to the topic at hand: I have added "dent removal" to my long list of future how to videos!

send me a fuel tank

I will send one if you try epoxy lol [edit] with both parts mixed it hardens.

 

[Barkingmadspeedshop]

I might have to get a collection of dented tanks in the salvage yard and do a what works and what works ish

 

[Ichiban Moto]

I will send one if you try epoxy lol [edit] with both parts mixed it hardens.

deal

 

[Boondoggle]

I recently had a friend help me out that used to specialize in paint-less dent removal. Apparently they don't love doing motorcycle tanks because usually they're used to having better access, but it took him a little over an hour and I was AMAZED. No touch-up, no repainting and the tank was perfect. There's definitely an art to it and I imagine skill-set's vary. . He removed 5 or 6 dents, some with very hard creases and after he was done I couldn't tell you where they had been. He says I would have paid $80-$200 for a straight tank, depending on locale (apparently prices vary a lot regionally).

That's a lot of money, but when you factor in paint/prep/time/frustration costs it may be better in the long run in some cases. On top of that, it's kind of nice to have straight metal again instead of filler. Either way he did it gratis, which reminds me, I need to get that guy some good beer.

 

[o1marc]

Go take a look at the "whats going on at Ichiban Moto" thread. All his videos just make fun of the hipster motorcycle building scene and are of no real informative content. Its all a farce, but a funny one at that.

Buzzkill :-\

 

[cosworth]

I'd like to find a way to get an inflatable tube of some sorts in there to press it out with air pressure. One day I might try that approach.

 

[o1marc]

Paintless dent removers are good for stuff like dings and hail dents on cars to avoid a full repaint. In this particular case a stud gun would be the way to go for a dent that deep. They are as low as $130 on Ebay. Pricey for one time use but I'm sure you can find friends with tanks that need repair that you can recoup some of if not all your money.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTO-BODY-STUD-WELDER-GUN-AND-SLIDE-HAMMER-DENT-REPAIR-KIT-w-Studs-Weld-Tips-/251767456546?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9e828322

 

[o1marc]

I'd like to find a way to get an inflatable tube of some sorts in there to press it out with air pressure. One day I might try that approach.

I think you'll find yourself splitting seams and distorting the mass of the tank before that dent will pop.

 

[LBC]

How about filling the tank with water and letting it start to freeze? I've popped dents out of dirt bike exhausts that way...just don't let it freeze solid or it may bust the tank...it may take a few gentle freeze-thaw cycles to avoid warping the tank...

I'm full of bad ideas if you have other questions....

 

[o1marc]

How about filling the tank with water and letting it start to freeze? I've popped dents out of dirt bike exhausts that way...just don't let it freeze solid or it may bust the tank...it may take a few gentle freeze-thaw cycles to avoid warping the tank...

I'm full of bad ideas if you have other questions....

The weakest part of vintage tank is usually the seams. Freezing will bust a seam before moving that dent. Keep in mind it will take more force to knock it out than it took to put it there.

 

[Ichiban Moto]

I'm still thinking someone should donate a fuel tank...
... so I can do a dent removal video ;D


ps. I can put the dents in too if necessary

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

I'm still thinking someone should donate a fuel tank...
... so I can do a dent removal video ;D


ps. I can put the dents in too if necessary

I will gladly donate a tank. get me an address UPS will surly dent it lol

 

[Ichiban Moto]

Here is the video:

a few simple methods to remove dings and dents from fuel tanks ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB0eRYHtpYo

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

I knew it would work!! Just needed to get the proper tools ;D

 

[ShaggyPit]

i was more blown away by the quality of that power sander you got :

 

[belewbro]

i would try hot gluing the base of a hammer in the middle of the dent and then yanking it off. cheap and harmless other than to the paint but thats not really a big problem

 

[Killman77]

I've tried the glue & hammer thing. No love.

Used one of those 3" suction cup thingies, couldn't get a decent seal.

Took a shot with a blood pressure cuff. Scratch one blood pressure cuff.

Used the upside down aerosol can and heat gun approach. Worked a bit. Just a bit.

Got a few bodgered tanks floating around. Plenty of opportunity to try different stuff. Gonna invest in some paintless dent removal tools, give those a go. I'll zip-cut the bottom off of one, work the dents and weld it back up. Take a stab with a stud welder and see how that stacks up. Have a run at another with one of those hot glue bridge doo-hickies too, while I'm at it. WTF, it's all just buggered metal, as is.