i tried posting this in the body work forum but they still haven't resoponded. I have 77 f-150 and someone backed into it the other day. I got the insurance money and put it in the bank but I am considering different options on what to do. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to pull out a dent that is located under the front gas tank filller tube? The part that I think will make it hard is that it was hit directly in the crease that runs along the bottom of the bed. I will try to get some pics tomarrow.
thanks
David

 

Depending what the dent looks like you might be able to pound it out with a hammer and dolly. If you can get your hands on a Stud welder you can usually get most dents with a stud welder. Another option is to cut along the crease and shrink the metal back to normal and then weld it back together. It all depends on what it looks like.

mike

 

The nice thing about that location is that you've got great access to the backside. I'd install a good support bar that goes from the end of the wheelwell to the underside bed support. These are about 1' long and keep the lower fender area from flexing.

This will give you the proper reference for that area of the bed. I'd then start by using a hammer and dolly and work the metal back to nearly the original shape.

Depending on the size and depth of the dent, you might want to get a bottle jack and support it from the back side with a brace to the axle housing, then push out from the back side at several different points.

Don't move one area of the dent all the way out and then go back for the other areas, move around the dent working a little at a time. When your finished it should be about 1/64" to 1/18" from the original position.

Use a good quality filler like Rage from Evercoat. Scuff the area with 40~60 grit and make a few cross hatches in it. Clean with acetone and press VERY hard on the first round of filler to get it into the cross hatches. Apply several coats as need, I cross hatch each coat.

Use a longboard for shaping, I use an air powered long board from harbor frieght for $30. 120 grit to start, 220 to finish off shaping.

When you are very close, use some EuroSoft from evercoat. Make a complete skim coat over the entire area, go past the prior area for blending.

Blend in with 220 grit long board paper, then use a filler primer for the final blending and to fill pin holes.

A bit of work to do it right, but you can get excellent results if you take your time and apply the products properly.