Below The Bondo

[Pat Kelly]

Use the creased dent to your advantage. Leave it and custom paint it to look like a scar. Make it an artistic focal-point.

[DenyP]

I spent 10 years in autobody repair in the 60 and 70's. I have done repairs using metal finishing (hammer and dolly, pick and file), used lead and a body file and body plastic. Body plastic is intended to replace the fine work after the dents have been bumped out and rough shaping is completed. For a tank, if the metal is stiff (doesn't tin can), a good grade of plastic will make for a good fix. The trick is to get the surface to be filled ground down to bare metal, CLEAN and dry. Make the repair area larger then the dent so the edges of the plastic can be feathered out. Buy a profesional grade of plastic from an autoparts store that sells autobody supplies and paint - not the crap sold to hobbiests. Mix it properily. The plastic and the metal being repaired must be at room temperature. You will need to apply two or three layers. Be sure to sand all of the surface skim off before applying more. A half round shure foam file works great to shape it, followed up with sanding with 40 grit sand paper on a block. Once it is how you want it, put on a final thin coat. Take off the skin with 40 grit, then finish with 80 grit.

Hope this helps!

Deny