Repair or replace hood?

[frostje]

hood1.jpgOlder cavalier 1994, I was wondering , could this metal be banged out and filled. There isn't any good access at the lip
of the hood because there is reinforcement from behind it and the outer half looks like someone tried to fix it and butchered
it. So what should I do?hood2.jpg

[Len]

hood1.jpgOlder cavalier 1994, I was wondering , could this metal be banged out and filled. There isn't any good access at the lip
of the hood because there is reinforcement from behind it and the outer half looks like someone tried to fix it and butchered
it. So what should I do?hood2.jpg

If it's just bent metal it can be straightened if you have the right tools. On something like that I'd use a stud welder and a chisel type body hammer. Grind the metal clean then weld a stud in a low spot then pull on the stud and tap around it with the hammer to help level the metal. Remove the stud and weld another stud in another low spot and repeat the process. When you're done run the grinder over it then finish the leveling with body filler.

Stud Welders Link

[Henry]

hood1.jpgOlder cavalier 1994, I was wondering , could this metal be banged out and filled. There isn't any good access at the lip
of the hood because there is reinforcement from behind it and the outer half looks like someone tried to fix it and butchered
it. So what should I do?hood2.jpg

I would first get the fold out of the front edge of the hood shaped back to where it should be. I've done this easily with a block of wood supporting the underside of the hood and resting on the radiator support. Then hammer on the fold fron the top side untill the front edge looks straight. This will help move some of the metal back in shape also.
And like Len said, use the stud welder which is a great tool to have. Henry

[frostje]

Thanks for the suggestions, the people on this site, Phil V, Henry, Mooch, and Len give the best advice. You guys are pros
really helped alot.. I will give it a try , althought I'm not very skilled at metalworking. I guess my concern was putting any kind of body filler on a hood could cause it to crack later on with the amount of times the hood is opened and closed.

[Henry]

Thanks for the suggestions, the people on this site, Phil V, Henry, Mooch, and Len give the best advice. You guys are pros
really helped alot.. I will give it a try , althought I'm not very skilled at metalworking. I guess my concern was putting any kind of body filler on a hood could cause it to crack later on with the amount of times the hood is opened and closed.

If your prep on the metal is done correctly your filler will bond well and will not crack. I've done many hoods and even took on a few that should NEVER have been fixed. Sometime it was the challenge to see if I could work the thing and you will be amazed what you can do.
Of course many years ago I was working something and my father stopped over on the third day of my work and said the following. "You still working that thing? I think you should take a part time job at K-Mart stocking shelves and earn the money to buy that piece new."
His view was out of context because I was not working the part continuous. Just happened to be on it when he stopped over. His point was well taken in that if you're trying to make money, you cannot afford to waste a ton of hours on a part you could get at the junk yard for $50 and maybe in the same color.

Take your time as yours (from the pics) does not look like a big deal. Keep posting your progress and remember ask any questions you want. No question is 'stupid' - just the one not asked. Henry