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I got a trim piece from side of the bed of the truck that has a dent in it, looks like someone depressed it a bit from the previous owner. What would you guys do to curl it back in a bit. I know it wont be perfect but im not interested in purchasing new trim for the whole vehicle as you know if you replace one you gotta do it all. Ive been trying to hand roll it but I dont know if thats the way to go about it. If you have any additional questions please ask. And thanks for everyone's help.
Ive attached two picture's the first is the dent and the second is a nice part of it im trying to match for reference.
I have some trim on my '66 that's like yours. My thought is to make a 2 pc form that closely fits the shape. One piece slips in from the back. The other,
fits from the outside and go from there.
That's bright dipped aluminum and it's kind of hard to work with. the problem is you can't file, sand , and buff it after the repair like you can stainless. well, you can but you'd either have to re dip it or completely strip the anodizing off and buff it. lots of work.
Your best bet would be to find a used piece to replace it. but if you want to fix this one tapping it out from the back is about your only option. when you're done it may look worse than leaving the dent. not only do you have stretched metal to deal with but any dents you put by banging on it will show.
I have some trim on my '66 that's like yours. My thought is to make a 2 pc form that closely fits the shape. One piece slips in from the back. The other,
fits from the outside and go from there.
Oooh so your basically trying to press it back into form correct?
Tap LIGHTLY from the backside, but not with a trim hammer. A variety of hardwood dowels or sticks ground/sanded to the profile that you're trying to achieve will come in handy. As mentioned above, don't hammer it very hard as that will stretch the metal. Also, having a wood backup (placed on the visible/exposed side) with the profile that you're trying to achieve might do the trick. I have found, with trim, if you take the time to make the tools that match your profile, that's time well spent...
Oooh so your basically trying to press it back into form correct?
That's how I would want to do it, in order to avoid galling the surface with tapping.
You would have to build your own tooling, but some kind of pressing action, in conjunction with dies which match the contour of the trim piece, would be good. A small jack is what I would probably use to do the pressing.
Even better would be using the pressing action and dies to go after the dents with the same strategy as a body man working a dent in a fender - actually working the low and high spots with concentrated effort.
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