Shrinkage. (no pool content), actually...panel shrinkage--gap issues Options

[TargaToy]

Rick's recent posts where he expertly repaired a previously filled dent in his green car's fender prompted me to post this question. I'm working on the same part of my car but didn't want to hijack his post.


Speaking of beating down the hight spots, this is what was under the filler:



I cut out the whole bad section and reworked the same section I had in a salvaged fender.





As you can see, I cut out the old section right along the top edge of the quarter panel. The cut line was only about 3/16" from the channel for the trunk weather-stripping.





In retrospect, I may have made a booboo here. I thought I took my sweet time welding in this panel but now that everything's said and done (and cooled off), the shrinkage in the panel has pulled the trunk lid gap a bit.







Rick, you once told me that if the gaps were within 3mm (3 dimes) not to stress as the bodies were hand built. However, I'm not thrilled with the trunk gap now and and my finish grinding is not even done yet which means there'll be more heat introduced.

Can this be corrected?

Also, my vertical weld where the two panels join also shrank a bit. Can I use some dolly work and bumping to bring the area out once I do my finish grinding and minimize the amount of filler that'll be needed?

[rick 918-S]

Review this thread again.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=171994&hl=

In tight area's it's way easier to knock a dent in than it is to try to knock it out. There is no hammer made that will move that metal up inside the tight arch of that panel. But it's not too bad to hold a block and bump the panel in. Find a block or chunk of steel you can use like a fist. Put on some light gloves and try to bump it up.

My suggestion would be to start at the top of the panel and thump that crease out. Even if it ends up slightly out. Like I said, it will be easier to do the fine work as you bump it in and work the panel.

If you can't hit it out use a stud gun on it if you have one. If you don't try to tack a piece of sheet metal tab in the crease. About 1/2-3/4" wide. Use a vise grip and pull as you tap tap tap on either side of the crease. Lots of light hits are better than a couple big ones.

Here's a sketch as an example. 1 is how the dent is. 2 is what happens to the panel as you pull. The whole panel will flex out. You likely won't see it like the diagram.

3 is showing the location to tap. Sometimes things look worse before they get better. I think this will be the case here with your crease. Don't get discouraged. Working metal is a time consuming process. You make many mistakes before your confident about the process.

EDIT: OK, for some reason I can't post my paint brush doodle but I'm sure you get the picture.