Erase Dents

[etapatai]

What would be the best way to get rid of dents at the back end of the boat/transcom area. My boat is a Lund 1700 Fisherman series. Heat and bang at it? Fill it up? Weld a piece aluminum? I'm open to any suggestions. When I purchased the boat I didn't think the dents made any difference, now I know better.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Erase Dents

Depending how big they are and if you are willing to paint the boat,you can use body filler just like doing body work on a car.You will want to use the marine type as it will not retain moisture and you can paint over it and make it look perfect.Charlie

 

[DJ]

Re: Erase Dents

Are these dents there because of minor mishaps or are they due to stresses in the aluminum skin?<br /><br />If they are from stress, I would leave them alone.<br /><br />I would also advise against filling them. Aluminum boats flex. Filler may pop out.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Erase Dents

Don't Heat It !! Atleast till Later in the repair process <br /><br />I'd think it would Depend on just how Big they are......<br />Charlie's steps will be Needed, No Matter How Bad it is to start.....<br />You're dealing with Aluminum... It takes Heat Much Different than Steel...<br />And, You can use this to your Advantage Later....<br /><br />Tell us the severity of it,+ Then You can decide which way to go about it......<br />Unless it's Really Bad, Welding is Usually a Last Resort...

 

[Ryoken]

Re: Erase Dents

you could try straightforward body repair techniques. various hammer and dolly techniques, heating and shrinking hammers, light filing if thick enough..<br /><br />technically there is alot to it. it is an acquired art. i learned mine from days of restoing cars in lead, fabbing qaurters, etc.. <br /><br />here's a link to various metal working tools...<br /><br /> http://automobile.shopping-4-life.com/Body---Fender/Dent-Repair/Body-Hammers---Dollies/ <br /><br />i'm sure a google search would bring up technical books on the art of metalshaping, etc, too...

 

[etapatai]

Re: Erase Dents

Thanks alot guys. The original owner bought the boat w/o the trailer. Since it's heavy, he wansen't able to fully pull the boat out of the water. The trascom area was still in the water. So the dents were created by the boat hitting the rocks under water. They are the size the palm of your hand, if you make a cup with your hand that would be the most accurate size of the dents. And the dents runs most of the transcom area. The rest of the boat looks new, still.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Erase Dents

Carefull! If it's a deep dent in aluminum, it could crack if you try to undent it!

 

[etapatai]

Re: Erase Dents

I was thinking of using a hydralic spreader and tapping at it at the same time. Maybe use a little heat. If cracks occur, I can weld it with a TIG welder. Sounds good?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Erase Dents

Eric,<br />Not only do I play with boats, I've got a couple British Land Rovers, a Ser.2a + a ser.3.... <br />Aluminum Bodies.....<br />Aluminum can be Beat upon without Cracking, If you Anneal it.....<br />Annealing is Heating the metal to a temperature, Then allowing it to Cool, Slowly......<br />This can be done very easily.. An Oxy-Ac torch is best, but you may get buy with Mapp or Propane.....<br />For a Thermometer you'll need a rag, dipped in plain old motor Oil.......<br />Wipe a nice even film of oil on 1 side of the panel you want to soften... Not a Dripping Mess, Just Nice + Damp....<br />Now Play your Flame on the Other-side..... Keep it moving,+ When the Oil Film Evaporates from the opposite-side, It's Done..!! Let it Cool, Slowly....<br />Now you can Beat on it for Awhile Longer....<br />Of Course, You May have to repeat the process, depending on the amount of Beating you need to do........<br />And, When you're All Done,+ Thinking about paint......<br />Anneal it All Again.... It'll take all the Stresses out of it for you.....<br />Then go back to Charlie's Idea to Finish it Off...

 

[Texas_42]

Re: Erase Dents

Just food for thought. I have a 15' Duracraft and it has a few minor dings in it. I just want to add some strength to transom so I plan to buy a sheet (cut to size) of 1/14" flat alum. stock and bolt to boat with SS screws and sealer. I read this somewhere on boat forum.

 

[DJ]

Re: Erase Dents

Be careful with heat around a transom, there is wood behind and near there. Heat=fire=burned up transom wood and whole NEW set of dents and ripples to worry about.

 

[Franki]

Re: Erase Dents

Be very careful when heating the aluminium..<br /><br />It has a very thin film of oxidation on the surfaces, and that oxidised layer has a much higher melting temp then the unoxidised metal behind it..<br /><br />The result of to much heat is that the oxidised surface burns away and the inner metal blows out in a molten mess.. leaving you with nasty holes..<br /><br />Bondo's method sounds good.. just be sure to apply the heat gradually.. cos it doesn't take long to apply too much heat and do some damage.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Franki