Dent Repair Expense

[Guest]

I've got several dents in the tank of my T. It's the reason the PO was going to part her out, believe it or not. So I saved her instead for the paltry sum of $100.

How expensive will it be to get the dents repaired? Is it even worth it, or should I just slap a tank bag on there and wait for a NOS tank to appear on Ebay?

Thanks
Mike

[Joe Nardy]

Mike,

How bad are the dents? Maybe one of those paintless dent repair places could fix them? Having a body shop repair them and re-paint is another option. NOS tanks are pretty rare and usually bring a healthy price. You could probably fix yours for a lot less money. If yours is structurally sound repair might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you don't mind the dents go with the tank bag and just ride!

Joe

[UncleMike]

Mike,

How bad are the dents? Maybe one of those paintless dent repair places could fix them? Having a body shop repair them and re-paint is another option. NOS tanks are pretty rare and usually bring a healthy price. You could probably fix yours for a lot less money. If yours is structurally sound repair might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you don't mind the dents go with the tank bag and just ride!

Joe

Couple are pretty shallow but one is wicked. I'll look into those places and see what they tell me.

Thanks,
Mike

[J_C]

I'm planning on just stripping the paint and using bondo putty on the very shallow ones... But if you find out how much it costs for dent removal please post up... I would be interested as well.

[UncleMike]

Will do.

More to come,...

[Road_Clam]

I've got several dents in the tank of my T. It's the reason the PO was going to part her out, believe it or not. So I saved her instead for the paltry sum of $100.

How expensive will it be to get the dents repaired? Is it even worth it, or should I just slap a tank bag on there and wait for a NOS tank to appear on Ebay?

Thanks
Mike

I had one light 3" crease on the right side of my tank. When I had all my bodywork restored, I asked the same question about the cost of removing the crease. I was quoted about $300 in labor just to PROFFESIONALLY spoon out the crease. My whole 6 pc body restoration ended up around $1700. (and my bodywork was in pretty clean condition to begin with). Like anything, there is a cheap way to do things, and a PROFESSIONAL way to do things. All depends on what is important to you. My paint and body is flawless, and that is the #1 thing that sets bikes apart in the eyes of the experts.

[Jethro]

I had one light 3" crease on the right side of my tank. When I had all my bodywork restored, I asked the same question about the cost of removing the crease. I was quoted about $300 in labor just to PROFFESIONALLY spoon out the crease. My whole 6 pc body restoration ended up around $1700. (and my bodywork was in pretty clean condition to begin with). Like anything, there is a cheap way to do things, and a PROFESSIONAL way to do things. All depends on what is important to you. My paint and body is flawless, and that is the #1 thing that sets bikes apart in the eyes of the experts.

Holy moley- $1700, that's a lot of cake. That would buy a killer compressor, good paint guns, a media blasting kit, palm sanders, a couple gallons on Imron (depending) and lumber and poly to build a booth! Why didn't you go that way instead?

Just razzing ya Clammer! Your paint does look flawless!

[Road_Clam]

Holy moley- $1700, that's a lot of cake. That would buy a killer compressor, good paint guns, a media blasting kit, palm sanders, a couple gallons on Imron (depending) and lumber and poly to build a booth! Why didn't you go that way instead?

Just razzing ya Clammer! Your paint does look flawless!

I actually already have all that stuff. I repainted my '68 Camaro, back 17 years ago. Spent a painstaking 3 months on the body. After all was done I was very dissapointed in the outcome. Never again, theres just too much "professional experience" needed to do bodywork. I am good with a wrench, but not good with a dolly and a spraygun.

[mark]

I actually already have all that stuff. I repainted my '68 Camaro, back 17 years ago. Spent a painstaking 3 months on the body. After all was done I was very dissapointed in the outcome. Never again, theres just too much "professional experience" needed to do bodywork. I am good with a wrence, but not good with a dolly and a spraygun.

Totally agree with the sense of disappointment. I've just spent way too much time trying to fill in holes and gouges in my Windjammer IV, sanding repainting etc. Didn't come out that great.

I've got my tank to do too, and it probably will end up the same.

I'm doing it anyway though.

[Joe Nardy]

I actually already have all that stuff. I repainted my '68 Camaro, back 17 years ago. Spent a painstaking 3 months on the body. After all was done I was very dissapointed in the outcome. Never again, theres just too much "professional experience" needed to do bodywork. I am good with a wrence, but not good with a dolly and a spraygun.

Yep.............the best equipment in the world won't make up for a lack of experience. Good body guys are artists. There's a reason they charge what they do.........................

Thanks,
Joe

[wayne cooper]

Artists

Nice to see someone who understands the art behind body work. There must be someone in the group that could help out a fellow member for a "reasonable" price. Too bad I'm so far away (Canada) or I would be glad to do the job at a good rate. It's sad to think that profit is the main reason behind doing most things these days. It's too bad that most shops charge so much to paint a bike, but the bills have to be paid, and with the high cost of paint and the related chemicals needed to do the job properly "cheap" paint jobs are a thing of the past.

[UncleMike]

Nice to see someone who understands the art behind body work. There must be someone in the group that could help out a fellow member for a "reasonable" price. Too bad I'm so far away (Canada) or I would be glad to do the job at a good rate. It's sad to think that profit is the main reason behind doing most things these days. It's too bad that most shops charge so much to paint a bike, but the bills have to be paid, and with the high cost of paint and the related chemicals needed to do the job properly "cheap" paint jobs are a thing of the past.

Southern Ontario isn't TOO far away!

[Planecrazy]

Here's an alternative worthy of consideration...

What about getting a group of GS'rs together with somebody who has experience and do an informal "seminar?" While it's true that only practice will result in quality work, learning the basics as well as "tips and tricks" will often help novices improve their skills to the point where the time and effort will pay off!

A year or so ago the Chicago boys got together at Joe's place to do various things to our bikes, and I brought over my new MIG welder because Ryan (First timer) had offered to share some of his welding knowledge with the rest of us. While I wouldn't exactly call it a "seminar," I took away some extremely valuable tips that have helped my technique a lot! I'm certainly no expert, but now I can confidently take on projects I would have had trouble with before (Thanks, Ryan!).

Dent repair and bodywork are definitely areas that would be great to learn, given the opportunity! At the very least, you might learn enough to do all the prep work necessary to reduce the billable hours an expert might have to charge for if you have the final work done professionally by an "artist."

My .02

[yogib]

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a body shop.My Dad was a gearhead to boot,so growing up wasn't all too bad.There are some simple things that you can learn,like how to pick a dent with a hammer.I have never had to earn a living doing bodywork,mostly my own stuff,but would be privy to helping out.Mind you it's the begining of the riding season for me and I'm a little busy. Having a seminar would be kinda fun.Don

[Road_Clam]

Here's an alternative worthy of consideration...

What about getting a group of GS'rs together with somebody who has experience and do an informal "seminar?" While it's true that only practice will result in quality work, learning the basics as well as "tips and tricks" will often help novices improve their skills to the point where the time and effort will pay off!

A year or so ago the Chicago boys got together at Joe's place to do various things to our bikes, and I brought over my new MIG welder because Ryan (First timer) had offered to share some of his welding knowledge with the rest of us. While I wouldn't exactly call it a "seminar," I took away some extremely valuable tips that have helped my technique a lot! I'm certainly no expert, but now I can confidently take on projects I would have had trouble with before (Thanks, Ryan!).

Dent repair and bodywork are definitely areas that would be great to learn, given the opportunity! At the very least, you might learn enough to do all the prep work necessary to reduce the billable hours an expert might have to charge for if you have the final work done professionally by an "artist."

My .02

Check out your local Vocational school, I about guarantee they offer continuing education night courses in auto body repair.