Collision Repair: Need Help

[Trey T]

Phil, I understand what you're saying but I am not understanding your intention. We might have crossed somewhere.

First of all, body-work is not my source of income nor I desire to it to be. I have much respect for you all that deal w/ these grunt work but I'm here to learn what I can and apply it best to my confident level and knowledge. Having the right tool in every job can get the task done easier but not every tree-shade mechanic/tech/bodyman have the luxury to own the proper tool. I don't have proper tool for it but it doesn't mean that I can't get the job done.

Phil, I never stated those thing you just typed up; I believe you misunderstood it. However, I am not sure why the attitude, though?

[Phil V]

Phil, I understand what you're saying but I am not understanding your intention. We might have crossed somewhere.

First of all, body-work is not my source of income nor I desire to it to be. I have much respect for you all that deal w/ these grunt work but I'm here to learn what I can and apply it best to my confident level and knowledge. Having the right tool in every job can get the task done easier but not every tree-shade mechanic/tech/bodyman have the luxury to own the proper tool. I don't have proper tool for it but it doesn't mean that I can't get the job done.

Phil, I never stated those thing you just typed up; I believe you misunderstood it. However, I am not sure why the attitude, though?

My attitude comes from the fact that in life there are times to save money and do it yourself and there are times when you just spend the money and pay a professional to do the job right. I don't rebuilt automatic transmissions, I pay a professional to do that. I don't work on my own teeth, I pay a professional dentist to that work. It honestly bothers me that you are trying to cobble a nice car like a Porsche Boxster like it was a rusty '82 Olds Cutlass Calais with 220,000 miles on it. I am more than willing and happy to offer advice based on my professional experience to people who are trying to make the best of a bad situation, this is not one of those instances. I don't mind that fact that you're way over you head trying to handle this project but you came here for advice on repairing the car. My advice was to take it to a professional to have the worst of the damage pulled out then you could do the rest yourself if you were/are so inclined. You ignored that sound advice I offered to you in favor of cobbling the car in the interest of saving a couple dollars. I won't offer my advice to you on how to cobble that car that deserves a lot better than being cobbled. There are plenty of shade tree bodymen like tech and a few others with a couple weeks bodywork experience willing to advise you on how to make a mess out of that car. I won't be part of it. (my last post in this thread).

[Len]

My attitude comes from the fact that in life there are times to save money and do it yourself and there are times when you just spend the money and pay a professional to do the job right. I don't rebuilt automatic transmissions, I pay a professional to do that. I don't work on my own teeth, I pay a professional dentist to that work. It honestly bothers me that you are trying to cobble a nice car like a Porsche Boxster like it was a rusty '82 Olds Cutlass Calais with 220,000 miles on it. I am more than willing and happy to offer advice based on my professional experience to people who are trying to make the best of a bad situation, this is not one of those instances. I don't mind that fact that you're way over you head trying to handle this project but you came here for advice on repairing the car. My advice was to take it to a professional to have the worst of the damage pulled out then you could do the rest yourself if you were/are so inclined. You ignored that sound advice I offered to you in favor of cobbling the car in the interest of saving a couple dollars. I won't offer my advice to you on how to cobble that car that deserves a lot better than being cobbled. There are plenty of shade tree bodymen like tech and a few others with a couple weeks bodywork experience willing to advise you on how to make a mess out of that car. I won't be part of it. (my last post in this thread).

I don't understand your attitude toward this man's attempt to repair his Porsche. Instead of trying to discourage him you should offer your expertise. I do understand frustration with someone who won't use the proper methods and tools but that is what we are here for, to show him the way to do the car properly not to discourage him from doing the repair himself. If he chooses to use rubber bands to pull out the sheet metal he should be told that it won't work and told the tools and technique needed to do the repair. If he still chooses to use rubber bands then the result is on him. Attitudes only serve to muddy the water.

[another2centsworth]

Think Steck makes a set of 4 inch wide vice grips to do multiple pin pulls. I would spend 40 bucks on it and weld as many pins as i could on the lows and pull slow. you can weld an eye on the adjusting screw that will work with an attachment on your slide set up. It looks similar to this but has much thicker jaws with small serrations to grab the pins......best wishes. PS I have one in my box and it has worked great.

[TR3_Nut]

Hey Guys
Are there any instructional DVDs that show use of a Stud Gun for dent pulling? I've learned a lot from this thread but would love to see an organized video showing how several different types of dents are pulled using a stud gun, body hammers, and several of the very clever tools that you've introduced in this thread. Thanks
Pat

[another2centsworth]

all over you tube. just search.

[autobodytech43]

Hey Guys
Are there any instructional DVDs that show use of a Stud Gun for dent pulling? I've learned a lot from this thread but would love to see an organized video showing how several different types of dents are pulled using a stud gun, body hammers, and several of the very clever tools that you've introduced in this thread. Thanks
Pat

Here's a video with some stuff on stud guns. Not as thorough as I would have liked it but it has some basic stuff.

[Henry]

Hey Guys
Are there any instructional DVDs that show use of a Stud Gun for dent pulling? I've learned a lot from this thread but would love to see an organized video showing how several different types of dents are pulled using a stud gun, body hammers, and several of the very clever tools that you've introduced in this thread. Thanks
Pat

Stud welders are a best investment. You can fine tune you work with them like a fine tuned instument. There are many devices around the shop you can use with the stud welder.

MOST IMPORTANT PRECAUTION WITH STUD WELDER: it is VERY easy to OVER PULL on single or multiple studs be it with the slide hammer or other pulling devise. The harder you beat the stud in pulling the more the metal stretches to the point of a quarter or 3/8 inch dimple OUTWARD and beyond your repair area. This becomes a hell of a lot more trouble for you with multiple studs being pulled at the same time which can cause an actual crease a few inches long sticking out too far.
Take your time. Let the stud work FOR you not against you. If the dent is not right then cut those studs off and tack on others to get the dent to where it allows for grinding and a skim coat of filler. Stud welders are actually fun because you can train yourself with them like training a dog.
GREATEST tool to come along in dent fixing. Just like what Finish Film did for sanding new paint.

Henry

[another2centsworth]

this is the best tool i found in yrs for my stud welder.....
http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...Category_Code=

[TR3_Nut]

I found the StudLever video on Youtube. It was very helpful. Cool tool! Seems like much better control than my slide hammer puller.
Thanks

[Len]

I found the StudLever video on Youtube. It was very helpful. Cool tool! Seems like much better control than my slide hammer puller.
Thanks

We rarely use the slide hammer on light sheet metal repairs, the slide hammer works well on heavier damage. On most repairs we use the Mini Puller because it's easy to control and when used in combination with light blows from a body hammer it can get the metal close to perfect.

[autobodytech43]

I found the StudLever video on Youtube. It was very helpful. Cool tool! Seems like much better control than my slide hammer puller.
Thanks

here's a video on stud guns and it also has the T puller. Just a basic breakdown on some small dings.

[SamG]

Several years ago I was working on our frame rack (a Chief EZ liner). For anyone who is familiar with one of these machines, you know it is a 'tall' machine, with the working height at about 36"

At some point I was using the T handle to pull some damage on the left windshield post. I should have seen it coming...As I was pulling on one of the studs it decided to turn loose. Of course I had my weight (significant) into the pull and I flew backwards right off the machine.

I had stripped the front end and had all of my parts piled up just a few feet from the machine. Of course that's exactly where I landed. Fortunately the hood was the last part I added to the pile and I landed shoulder first right in the center of it. If there were any good parts we might have been able to reuse...there wasn't any more.

I love my T handle puller, but make sure of your surroundings

SamG

[Trey T]

Hey everyone,

It's been about a month since I worked on the car and let it sits in the garage. I ended up taking the car to a local body shop guy, last Friday, that I went before. I just couldn't find the time lately and lost confidence to do body metal finishing on the rear quarter panel.

Ended up paying $280 (no paint) for the work on the rear quarter and the rocker. It's a small shop w/ one bodyman and it seems like the owner hired another guy and might not be as good as before. I think he used more body filler than I expected. The result is decent but it's not quite ready for paint yet just couple more hours on the prep work before paint.

I will post some photo later.