Tank dent repair

[XJfan1]

I picked up my xj on a trade. I had like 80 dollars in the deal. I have got through a few problems. Changed the middle drive thanks to a part from ba80 thanks Greg. A new tire and some brake cleaning and a few other things now onto cosmetic. I bought a couple different buffers wheels for my grinder and my chrome and alumimum parts and coming along very nice. Well the left side of my gas tank was caved in right on the emblem. I repaired the emblem thanks to a thread on here. Super glue and baking soda worked killer. There is a dent the size of a beer can that was pushed in about a inch. I tried prying it out from the inside via the gas guage hole and i was afraid of denting the hole and the sending unit not sealing. I brought the tank into work and decided i would cut out the entire dent and massage it back into shape and weld it back in. I got it really close to perfect.Fired up the welder and turned it down started to weld then turned it down some more. Ended up with a wire speed of 108 and energy setting of 9.8amps. i jumped around with my spot welds and used a brazing rod to fill in some gaps. It seems never ending i clean off my welds and find more holes. It just plain burns through its like welding a pop can.Well i think its toast im done welding it seems every time i cover a hole i find two more. On the other hand i called cycle recycle in indy. They have a tank for 60 bucks. I'm heading there first thing tomorrow. Finding that tank was like trying to find bigfoot riding a unicorn.Iwas litterally laughed at by the guy at D and A cylcle salvage. The guy at cycle recycle said on the phone said its clean inside with only one small dent just in front of the seat on the side. im thinking my old tank could be sealed and a little body filler to smooth her out. so maybe ill pick up a set of side covers too and i can change her color when ever i want. Or sell off a matching set later. Anyone know or a good tank sealer? I hear red kote works well.

[TomB]

Any dents like that I normally cut a small hole maybe 1" diameter in the bottom of the tank, or somewhere in the tunnel underneath, then use a piece of wooden dowel with slightly rounded end carved on (my missus moans coz the yard brush handle is ideal).

With the dowel though the hole and against the dent slowly and very gently hitting the dowel with a hammer against the dent inside until the dent is gone leaving slightly rippled metal ready for a thin skim of filler and repaint.

As the 1" hole is underneath out of sight you can use a disc bigger than the hole to weld over, this is easier to weld seal.

[natemoen]

Red-Kote is my person favorite but I hear caswell also has a good one that I might try here soon.

[Vinnie48]

dent puller



I will try this dent puller from amazon coz mine also has a dent.

http://www.amazon.com/Unknown-Northe.../dp/B0000AX7ER

[Vinnie48]

disregard prev post , found a better and cheaper one

at www.dingking.tv/ for $19.95 there's a demo video also .

that's where I will purchase my kit. :

[XJfan1]

Red-Kote is my person favorite but I hear caswell also has a good one that I might try here soon.

Hey nate where can I buy red kote at? I have been looking for it with no luck.

[natemoen]

Here is their website

http://damonq.com/Red-Kote.html

They say o'rileys auto parts has it but I have never seen it there, never asked though either.

[XJfan1]

i saved my original tank and i got the new one ready for paint. im going to line both tanks then i will sell one sooner or later. i think i will red kote both of them. i thought about tank cream but i read that red kote is easier and cheaper and works just as well.

[New2Me]

Hey nate where can I buy red kote at? I have been looking for it with no luck.

I ordered a Qt. from O'rilleys for $26 this Saturday. Nobody there knew anything about it. One guy never even heard of tank liners/sealers. Anyways if you do go to them this link will help you out. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...yword=red-kote

[GTXS1100]

Ive gotin a quart of it from the O'rilleys down town. You have to ask fror it its not usualy on the shelf and its not something they sell alot of. Its usualy sitting under an inch of dust in the back. It works great tho Ive never had problems with mine.

[Petersg_99]

Pops-A-Dent

My original tank has a fairly large dent in the left side, so I got one off of ebay for $50 + $30 shipping. Unfortunately the guy that sold it neglected to include the fact that there was a small dent (size of a couple dimes end to end) on the side he didn't photograph for the ad. I had a Pops-A-Dent kit on the shelf and thought I'd give it a shot.

It turned out quite well. I "popped" the dent 4 times and it virtually disappeared.

[WSL91]

My neighbor is a self employed body guy and stopped painting because the paintless dent repair business is so good. I've watched him pop dents out with the real version of these tools and its pretty neat. He always prays for Hail storms. As heavy as these tanks are I'm a bit skeptical on the paintless method especially if the metal is stretched or creased but I guess its worth a try. I have a couple in the XJ that have no creases and are somewhat large but not deep at all and are probably good candidates

[WSL91]

i saved my original tank and i got the new one ready for paint. im going to line both tanks then i will sell one sooner or later. i think i will red kote both of them. i thought about tank cream but i read that red kote is easier and cheaper and works just as well.

I did a tank with Kreme which turned out well and held up but I never liked the fact that Acetone turns it back to liquid. Always wondered is some gas additive would dissolve it. Next time I'm using red kote, it cures and holds up well, its highly recommended in the antique tractor clubs

[XJfan1]

My neighbor is a self employed body guy and stopped painting because the paintless dent repair business is so good. I've watched him pop dents out with the real version of these tools and its pretty neat. He always prays for Hail storms. As heavy as these tanks are I'm a bit skeptical on the paintless method especially if the metal is stretched or creased but I guess its worth a try. I have a couple in the XJ that have no creases and are somewhat large but not deep at all and are probably good candidates

when i repaired my tank i was looking at the metal thickness through the petcock and gasguage sending unit openings. they weld in flanges from the factory for strength. the sheet metal thickness of the tank is suprisingly thin. lots thinner than sheet metel on the average car or truck skin. i didnt realize it was so thin till i cut a hole the size of my hand it the side of my tank.i gave my tank and side covers to a buddy to paint at work tonight "we both work 3rd shift" im sitting here biting my nails wondering how its going. i had about ten hours in my body work.she was smooth as glass when it left my garage. im hoping it looks the same way with pearl blue metallic and 4 coats of clear on it.