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Another view. Be familiar with the low areas by inspecting the damage
from several angles |
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Always use a straight edge to determine the length of the dent and
to be familiar with the outside perimeters of the damage. |
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The door is laying face down on a work table. A one by four piece
of wood is placed over the dent. Make sure the wood fits the dent
with two inches over the outside perimeter of the dent on each end.
Place another board on top of the spreader jaws so the pressure will
be spread out when using the Porta a Power. Apply enough pressure
to push the dent 7/8ths out (close to its original height and shape).
Check it with a straight edge. |
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Turn the door back over and use the slapping spoon and hammer to
slap the metal back into shape. The slapping spoon will spread out
the blow into a larger area without damaging or leaving marks in the
metal. Move the slapping spoon on the outside perimeters of the dent,
not where the board touches the dent on the inside, periodically check
the port a power for tension. Be careful, not too much tension, 5lbs
is plenty. |
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Take the metal hand file and slice criss cross 10 passes each direction
to bring out the high/level spots which will appear clean metal. You
can also use a sanding block and 80 grit to scuff the surface thus
revealing the high spots! The sand paper will not thin the metal,
the file will so beginners should use a sanding block with 80 grit
until you become more familiar with these techniques! |
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A door is some what harder to straighten then most panels where
you can each the back sides more easily. You may want to have a friend
help hold the door steady when you are slap filing. Raise the door
upright, use your dolly that has the correct contour for the door.
Hold it on the inside of the door where your low spots are which will
be the black painted areas just outside of the silver metal areas.
Take the slapping file and tap until you hear it make contact with
the dolly, then move the dolly slightly in the precise area you want
it followed by the slapping file. The slight pressure you apply with
the dolly when tapped with the slapping file actually pulls the dent
out or upward because the serrated teeth in the file allows the metal
to enter between them. This is actually shrinking the metal in reverse
or “cold shrinking.” Note: METAL FILE 10 MORE PASSES (CRISS
CROSS)TO LEVEL THE SURFACE AND SEE WHAT YOU have or block sand lightly
for same effect |
