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Tinwork Tip

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GordoSD

07-24-2006 21:37:17

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Here's a little tip I picked up from the local body shop guys. When you have a panel dent you are working smooth, using primer surfacer, and then sanding time after time this saves time. Use a small roller, about 1/1/2 to two inches wide, a foam roller. Dip it in the can or use saved small microwave dinner plastic pans. I don't even clean the roller cartridge, just toss it. Your local auto body shops will have them. No more cleaning spray guns after just a little use.

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I4guy

07-25-2006 19:18:53

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to GordoSD, 07-24-2006 21:37:17

I made some little bondo tools out of heavy tin. Shaped them at right angles about one quarter inch by one half inch by three inches. Apply with a putty knife and smooth with these, it takes a little practice but what dosent. This works for all letter series tractors. This keeps a lot or bondo out of the screen.

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jaybird2

07-25-2006 07:08:12

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to GordoSD, 07-24-2006 21:37:17

Hey thanks Gordo. I've been working on a Super C grille which, as you may know, is very delicate sheet metal. So working out some decent size dents has left me with an area that isn't going to get any better without body putty / surfacer and some patience.

Now what I need to figure out is whether I can get the bars any straighter/smoother. As Jack Nicholson asked " What if this is as good as it gets?"

Do you think I should essentially resurface the bars to give the appearance of perfect straightness or is there a way I can get them back to shape? I'd say right now I have the bars looking about 95% but it's just not good enough for me. I know what it's going to look like painted if I don't figure out a way to make them better and I don't want that to happen!

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Farmallgray

07-26-2006 18:08:26

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to jaybird2, 07-25-2006 07:08:12

I have a buddy who is a body man and also restores letter series Farmalls. He made a tool from a piece of round stock that is about the same width as the inside of the grill bars. The round stock is about 1"-2" long and has a handle welded to it at a right angle. He puts it inside the grille bars and lightly taps it with a hammer to massage the bars into shape. He also uses it with a dolly.

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GordoSD

07-25-2006 11:28:25

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to jaybird2, 07-25-2006 07:08:12

I'm still working on my grille. I am like you, want it very straight. I found that by setting it on a flat level surface, bottom down, and look stright down the front of it from above you get a great picture of the relationship of the bars. Then tweaking them in or out with a true body hammer and a dolly. Use the dolly with pressure to move the bar in the direction desired with an off dolly blow to the low side from the back or front. This way you bend it without flattening or denting it. Use the pick end of the hammer directly on the dolly for those little 'hail dents'. Then your bondo. Watch the feather edges of the bondo closely for flaking. That means it will lift and peel later. Get that all off. I use 80 grit on different blocks til it is really close. Then let it sit a few days, and come back. You will see things you didn't see before. Once you get that first triple coat of primer on there you're almost home. Go to the best auto body shop supply house you can find and spend some time there. If you use the tolls and supplies the pros use you can do a pro job. Even the best pro started where you are today. Make friends with the best local body shop guys. Drop by with a 12 pack at quitting time and they will be glad to see you coming.

Gordo

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jaybird2

07-26-2006 08:23:59

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to GordoSD, 07-25-2006 11:28:25

Thanks Gordo,

I'm getting better with the body hammers and dollies. It's been very satisfying to see a grill that was literally bent in half, come back to shape (especially when you see them go for $280.00 on an ebay auction!)

It's really amazing to see how such little pressure is needed to make the small changes in this sheet metal and how fast you can make the situation worse if you're not careful. Takes some time to figure out exacty what you need to do (dolly v off dolly v. inside v. outside etc).

Someday I'll post the results and before/after pictures. - Jay in MN

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Gauger

07-25-2006 10:15:32

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to jaybird2, 07-25-2006 07:08:12

Bondo and sand, sand, sand

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El Toro

07-25-2006 07:34:04

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Re: Tinwork Tip in reply to jaybird2, 07-25-2006 07:08:12

If you have a good body shop nearby, I would ask their opinion. They know how to handle that metal. Hal

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