Exploding dents

[BentRod]

alright.. so i dropped it. one second it was on the table, the next, its on the ground, I have a power drill widing up my shirt, and my buddy is laughing on the ground... kicked firmly shortly their after.

so now i have a good dent running down the right top edge of the tank. I will try to get pictures.

I have been told that putting a small amount of gas in the tank, and then detonating it will blow out the dents.. what I'm looking for is details..

gas cap on or off? stapped to the table? on grass?

 

[RJz1100E]

8-O 8-O 8-O!
umm, I don't think that sounds like a very good idea.

 

[beby99]

Would like to see video of that as well. :-D

 

[gustovh]

make yourself a slap hammer. 1/2" rod with one end flattened and curled into a crecent flatwise. The rod should be around 18" long, at the opposite end of the shoe created bend about 3" down to clamp in a vice. Placed the flat end in the tank under the dent and smack the rod on the outside the tank with a hammer. The rod will bend down a bit and slap back up to smack the dent from the inside. You might have to bend the rod in a couple places to allow it to enter the tank with space to work.
V

 

[Zooks]

If it's not a sharp dent you can pop it safely with compressed air. Wedge a rag tightly into the top of the tank with an air gun poked through it. VERY VERY gently squeeze the trigger whilst firmly holding the rag in place. You are effectively turning the tank into an air tank. As the air compresses the dent should pop. I wouldn't run the air pressure any higher than about 60 or 70 psi.

Disclaimer - Compressed air is dangerous. Use extreme caution. Never risk compressed air entering your blood stream by allowing it to rush against your skin.

 

[BMcLaury]

So, if you use the compressed air method, will the diaphragm in the petcock be subjected to that pressure? Or is it safely out of the way in the on/res position. Or if you are going to leave it on should you just put it on prime and either plug the hole hope you can put air in faster than it is leaving?

If using the gas method, I'd advise you not to look down the filler hole while introducing the flame. I have seen large tractor trailer tires that have popped off their bead reseated using starting fluid and a match. Not the safest method by far, but effective.

 

[jimcor]

alright.. so i dropped it. one second it was on the table, the next, its on the ground, I have a power drill widing up my shirt, and my buddy is laughing on the ground... kicked firmly shortly their after.

so now i have a good dent running down the right top edge of the tank. I will try to get pictures.

I have been told that putting a small amount of gas in the tank, and then detonating it will blow out the dents.. what I'm looking for is details..

gas cap on or off? stapped to the table? on grass?

This really is a poor attempt at humor isn't it, man? I mean, you do know that a tank full of fumes will explode with enough force and shrapnel to kill you dead and knock down a wall or two.

Don't even joke about this kinda stuff, people read it and end up getting hurt, or worse.

 

[Zooks]

So, if you use the compressed air method, will the diaphragm in the petcock be subjected to that pressure? Or is it safely out of the way in the on/res position. Or if you are going to leave it on should you just put it on prime and either plug the hole hope you can put air in faster than it is leaving?

You'd take it out and plug the hole with a bolt. Be sure that if the bolt 'lets go' it can't hurt anyone.

 

[chiphead]

I have personally seen a tank expand so much so it wouldn't fit on the bike using the compressed air method.

 

[Zooks]

Yeah, I was hesitant to post that advice. I've done it dozens of times but I am very experienced at moulding and fabricating metal. Experience is the best teacher.

You just need to be VERY careful (as I said before)

 

[jknappsax]

Dry Ice

Dry Ice

I've read of people using dry ice on top of the dent to cause the metal to shrink and pop back out. This might work for a dent with no sharp bends, but probably not on a crease. Never tried it myself. I bought a Ding King paintless dent removal kit for a dent in the right side of my tank caused by my knee in a sideswipe by a car, so I'll let you know how it works, as I expect to attempt the repair sometime this week.

 

[Mike_H]

Honestly, I would just fill it with body filler. Much less chance for damage that way. Oh yeah, I would be remiss if I didn't say it. DON"T DO THE GASOLINE THING!!!

 

[first timer]

just take it to a body shop, it shouldn't cost to much. it's one of those
$ vs time and bigger problems things

 

[BentRod]

no joke, but this is why i post. If I knew if it would work or not, I would have done it by now.

I should point out, for those of you who don't know, that I am 20 years of age, and lack most of the foresight and wisdom that this community provides.

the dents pretty big, but not very sharp. I'm going to anneal the area, and see if i can mount a wheel of on a cresent shaped tool so i can roll out the dent..

but for the next 1.5 weeks... EXAMS

 

[RotaryRodder]

Would gas ignite from just the heat of annealing?

 

[n1elkyfan]

We'll good luck on your Exams and getting your dent. I'm in collage right now and it can be very taxing on your time.

 

[RotaryRodder]

I'm in collage right now

keep it up

 

[chiphead]

I should point out, for those of you who don't know, that I am 20 years of age, and lack most of the foresight and wisdom that this community provides.

That statement right there tells me your a lot smarter than a lot of people out there.

 

[redtires]

I just know that this one is going to end up on Mythbusters.

 

[Hap Call]

I have personally seen a tank expand so much so it wouldn't fit on the bike using the compressed air method.

I know someone who did that too...his name is Hap Call! When I was 16 years old I did it to a old CB750 tank and the tank spread out so that it wouldn't fit any more. When I tried to "unspread" it the metal creased...sucked to be me ! One more hard learned lesson.

Hap