Goose egg problems
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY, USA
That is a great overview AX thanks,
I have one question. What do you do when the oilcan area is quite large? I've got a couple oilcans between the ribs on the back wall of my cab and they span the entire distance between the ribs (about 18"?). I wouldn't even know where to start with the hammer and dolly.
Is there another way? Thanks - Brad
I have one question. What do you do when the oilcan area is quite large? I've got a couple oilcans between the ribs on the back wall of my cab and they span the entire distance between the ribs (about 18"?). I wouldn't even know where to start with the hammer and dolly.
Is there another way? Thanks - Brad
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
NOTE: You CANNOT take out an oilcan with a hammer and dolly! An oilcan exists because the metal is stretched so it is larger in the center than at it's edges (think of a soap bubble as you gently blow on the film across the wand, your breath stretches the film in the center and the wand holds it at the edges so it begins to bow outwards). Trying to take out dents by hammering "on dolly" is often the CAUSE of oilcans. A shallow oilcan on a large panel will need to be heat shrunk. If the rear window hasn't been removed you will need a helper to hold the dolly for this operation. Work in the center of the panel, or as close to it as reasonable if there's a brace blocking the back side. Do your first shrink right in the center, the next 1/2 way between it and the top of the panel, then another 1/2 way to the bottom of the panel. After 3 shrinks, check it with a straight edge horizontally and vertically to see if it has pulled flat. If not do two more shrinks in between the first three. If the panel is flat horizontally but not vertically or you now have two oilcans you may need to do a couple more shrinks on a horizontal centerline. When smoothing out the panel after heat shrinking, DO NOT hammer ON dolly or you'll just create the problem all over again!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If anyone doesn't know the difference between "on dolly" and "off dolly" body hammer work, do yourself and your truck a favor and order Ron Covell's video (or DVD) Basic Techniques for Working With Steel before you ever pick up a hammer. www.covell.biz It's the best 40.00 you can spend on your truck.
