Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5356241)

Here you go I had to do lot of it on the other rear fender.lol

Over this years this truck was really used. Man this fender has dents and digs all alone the top area. I used a big red marker to color in the top which I will block sand to see the highs and lows.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7...872ea9ffef.jpg
Weapons of choice
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/7...cefca88e20.jpg
I also made this slapper and find it does a great job.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/7...5f045b42d7.jpg
On the back side you must choose a dolly that is very close to the contour of the sheet metal.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7...2ff04b3fa7.jpg

After sanding here is what I had
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7...19068e02bd.jpg
After the first use of my slapper and dolly I sanded again and here what I have. As you can see the low area is getting smaller. Sanding between hammer and dolly work shows me were I need to concentrate.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/7...3ecf1c6026.jpg
Worked some more and sanded and had this.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7...a8c639119a.jpg
Here what I accomplished the first day, still a lot of work to do but a fender that most would have trashed or covered with way too much filler will be used with very little filler when done. After I remove all the major of the dents I will red marker again and try to fix all the imperfections. All the red markets that are left need to be worked but as you can see there is already a world of difference.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7...f73127cd05.jpg
It just takes patience and work.

Originally Posted by candyx (Post 5358939)

Kabwe

Photos are great but a video would be much more instructional where one can watch and learn.Maybe even set up a web cam so we can see the progress real time.

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359048)

Look here you dang trouble maker I did what I could. As my grandfather use to say people that don't do anything never get criticized. I guess I should not have done anything then you would have nothing to say.

Anyway are you enjoying that truck of your? I hope so nice job on it. See how easy it is to say something nice.lol

Originally Posted by hotrod1 (Post 5359248)

yeah, video would sure do the trick or maybe you could come over and do the work for us instead.

Originally Posted by candyx (Post 5359428)

Yes i'm enjoying the truck but i also enjoy watching someone will skills like yourself working on metal.Now i'm not looking for a 3 hour movie production just a simple 179 minute youtube video,lol.How loud does it get when your banging out the fenders?

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena (Post 5359537)

Bam,
You could be STANDING OVER ME; hell you could be holding my hand while I tried to do that and I couldn't...so I'm not gonna tease you about any video. The red marker trick is cool. Any reason for that as opposed to the usual rattle can paint?

I don't know jack about the whole on dolly/off dolly hammering, etc. I suppose I'll do what everyone else does that doesn't have unlimited funds - LEARN! Usually by doing it wrong and redoing it! Ha ha.

Curious: Realisitically, when do you think your truck will likely go for final paint? This summer by any chance? Can't WAIT to see that. You don't want me color sanding but when you get to that point, if you need a "Hey Kid, bring me the.... guy" I'd love to be that kid. Best, Dan

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359507)

....You should not be hitting the metal really hard anyway. Just glancing blows you are not trying to drive nails man.

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359507)

....It takes patience....

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359507)

....I always start on the perimeter of a dent and work my way inside as I watch it get smaller and smaller. So I would put my dolly on the deepest part of the dent and lightly tap the perimeter. It may seem like the metal is not moving but it is and guide coat and sanding will show you that.

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena (Post 5359537)

Bam,
Do you just hold the dolly in position or are you supposed to actively press it hard against the metal from the backside?

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena (Post 5359627)

Yes, I think so. Does the same apply if its a hammer you're using OR the slapper? And what's really the purpose of the slapper over the hammer? Just a larger tool striking a larger area?

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359775)

Yeah I made one of them. If you have some old leaf springs they make good slappers. Just cut out the shape and heat and bend the handle part. Polish the part that will be slapped against the metal.

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359683)

Nope I'm done. I have the two rides I want plus no room buddy.

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize (Post 5360061)

Kabwe -

The truck is looking excellent. It always amazes some of my friends when my old man (one of the best body men I know) is working a piece of metal and are dumbfounded when people spend hours on a fender or a hood. I always tell them "the great body men can get by with almost no filler".

I one day hope to be able to say the same on my work.

Good luck on the rest of the truck.

Originally Posted by Rods57 (Post 5368754)

Cool idea, thanks. I have some springs here just taken up space. I wont even say anything mean after that tip, thanks.

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena (Post 5368784)

I know you THINK you're "done" but I truly feel you're not. I think you secretly know you'll sell one of your vehicles and build another....eventually. You're a young man and too talented to only sell your abilities to others. What're you gonna do? Take up gardening? Stamp collecting?

It's an addiction, it's Meth, crack, horse, blow to us all.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by Kabwe (Post 5359775)

Yeah I made one of them. If you have some old leaf springs they make good slappers. Just cut out the shape and heat and bend the handle part. Polish the part that will be slapped against the metal.