Big Dent removal Question

[Mistabreeze]

I have a pretty good dent in my Dart Sport.
Right behind the passenger side door jam.
Looking for some good ideas on how to get it pushed close to correct.
I saw a video where they put like a basket ball in a truck quarter and inflated it.
I only have a small scissor jack, for some reason "porta-power" is stuck in the idea bank.
I think the door jam is fine, door gap looks close.
Here is a picture.View attachment 1716358117

I did autobody professionally many years ago. The metal on these old cars is 18ga, which is much thicker than today's cars. The dent needs to be attacked from a number of different angles. First from the inside a dolly needs to be used to put pressure on the dent while at the same time using a shrink hammer to begin knocking the metal upwards from that high spot at the bottom. You do not want to beat the hell out of it and stretch the metal or it will oil can as others have eluded to. Once it starts coming out I would use a stud welder on the body line to begin pulling that out where it needs to be. Likely with a clamp so you can grab multiple stud when pulling. Some hammer and dolly work will be needed there as well. As for the door gap, once the dent is slowly being massaged it will come back to its original location or close to it, it may need a little pull as well. As you work it out you need to continously run you hand flat against the panel feeling for high and low spots and working them out with a combination of the hammer and dolly and the stud welder. You can use a straight edge to help gage some of it depending on the curve of the panel. Some shrinking may be necessary to tighten up the metal, that is done with either a torch or the stud welder.

Bottom line is it takes quite a bit of skill and tools to properly repair this type of damage

As for pdr, it may work. I'm sure the technology and processes have improved from 25 + years ago when it first came out. Good luck.

 

[Hyper_pak]

Still looking for "and then a miracle happens" advice!
Seriously, good advice from lots of folks smarter than I.
I really just want it close, not going to paint it anytime soon.

 

[Mistabreeze]

You're right, shiny paint does cause stress

 

[Hyper_pak]

I used a horrible freight body hydraulic kit that my friend had.
I just pressed on the large dent and "POP" it said.
I worked a little more and made it worse so I quit.
It looks a lot better, nowhere right but a lot better.

 

[nutz]

it has a fold never getting all out with ball or puller
need some real talent to get that out

 

[George Jets]

I used a horrible freight body hydraulic kit that my friend had.
I just pressed on the large dent and "POP" it said.
I worked a little more and made it worse so I quit.
It looks a lot better, nowhere right but a lot better.
View attachment 1716363616View attachment 1716363617

Much Better, and you did not have to get into body/paint/color matching and costs.

80% Done, is better than 100% Not Done.

All of our vehicles have "Battle Scars" where they have come through time.

It's all part of the unique story of each car.

It's all good...


☆☆☆☆☆

 

[69conv]

Battle scars, I like that!

 

[nutz]

Yea never going to match the fade
Looks much better
And beening on the pass side not like you even have to look at it

 

[Hyper_pak]

Running and driving is the theme, goal!
We will see.
Thanks for all the input!

 

[Mistabreeze]

it has a fold never getting all out with ball or puller
need some real talent to get that out

Sorry, hit the wrong button. Didn't mean to report, trying to undo it.

Looks good, did the door gap go back too?

 

[Hyper_pak]

Sorry, hit the wrong button. Didn't mean to report, trying to undo it.

Looks good, did the door gap go back too?

A little, but it's not bad.