Can someone tell me the recommended method for repairing hail dents? My '76 is in great condition but has several small dents in the hood and bed rails. I will eventually have it completely painted and plan to do the prep work myself. I've heard of dry ice on a hot panel but this is the old heavy guage panels. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

I've heard about using the newer process of pushing the dents out from the back side using special tools that work from the underside. I forget the name, but I've seen it before.

Basically it's very long thin rods with different bends in them and a scuffed pushing surface that works the dent out starting at the edges and pushing the metal back.

I don't think dry ice on hot hood would work, you can use heat and cold to shrink and get some out.

You can also hammer and dolly, but if you can't reach the dent from the back side, you can't do that.

 

Go to your local hardware store and buy a micro torch. Some are rather fancy but the one I have is nothing more than a lighter with a modified flame that produces an intense concentrated flame ending in a fine point. Here's the process: Direct the flame at a 90 degree angle at the lowest point of the hail dent. Keep the flame above the dent at a distance that will not burn the paint. This is usually about 3/4 to 1" away. This is vary though due to the severity of the dent. The heat will suck the dent out and return the sheet metal to near perfection. It only takes seconds for this to happen so you need to be quick with the flame. AS SOON AS YOU SEE THE METAL MOVE STOP. I always use this method before fixing any hail dent. It saves products such as filler, time and money.
Good luck. Russ

 

rtwardle - I tried this method with great success.
Thanks a bunch.


1973 F250 3/4 ton Custom
390 .060 over w/428 inside (422?)
Edelbrock Performer intake
Holley 4160 carb
14" K&N Filter
Stock Manifolds to twin 3" V-Force Mufflers exiting behind wheels.
and more to come.

 

This was years ago, but I remember my dad using dry ice. Remember going to the farmer's market and getting some, cutting up the pieces to be about an inch larger on each side of the dent. He would lay it on the dent, and it would pop out.