removing dent from tank?

OldStan · Post by **OldStan** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:45 pm

Does anyone have experience as to the best way to remove a dent from the fuel tank? I'm not sure how well you can tell from my picture, but there are no kinks, it was just popped in. It's in the left rear of the tank. Any suggestions as to the best way to pop it out? preferably without cutting into it, but I will if necessary.

Luckily it is a spare tank, but has less rust than my other tank and no hole repairs (which the other one does.)

Gun · Post by **Gun** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:05 pm

I remember someone on here alternated dry ice and a heat gun to pop a dent out. Never done it myself. might be worth searching.

Hippykid · Post by **Hippykid** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:55 pm

Take a bicycle or motorcycle tube and stuff it in the tank leaving just the valve stem hanging out....
Wrap some straps around the tank to keep it from unfolding and slowly air up the tube..I have used this technique with varing degrees of sucess depending where the dent is...

Mike Mullins · Post by **Mike Mullins** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:55 pm

Be very careful using anything involving pressure inside the tank. I ruined a tank ( fortunately not a very good tank) trying to remove a dent by inflating the tank. I thought I had the exterior well banded to keep it from deforming but no such luck. Remember no matter how you do it: the pressure inside any part of the tank is the pressure on every part of the tank.
Mikeyrx

Jethro · Post by **Jethro** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:55 pm

I recently dented the top of my CL350 tank. I was actually able to just reach in with my two middle fingers and pop it back out. Like yours it didn't have any kinks and was just within a fingers length from the fuel inlet. Yours looks like it's a bit further aft. You could try using anything with some length to it and see if it will pop back out like mine did as long as the dent didn't stretch the metal.

Good luck!

brewsky · Post by **brewsky** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:22 am

That dent should be just above the petcock hole, so a blunt tipped wooden dowell or the like, inserted from the bottom may pop it.............OR

Something like this......
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CH0Q8wIwAA#

They are available in various sizes.......OR

It should be easy for one of the paintless dent removal (hail damage) people, if you have any of them close by.

OldStan · Post by **OldStan** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:17 am

Thanks for the ideas guys!

I remember someone on here alternated dry ice and a heat gun to pop a dent out. Never done it myself. might be worth searching.

I've used a similar method on auto bodies- torch and cold water- which shrinks the metal. I'm hoping this isn't stretched, but will keep it in mind.

Mike- air pressure was my first thought and I decided against it for the very reason you stated. Too many different contours and no good way to maintain the shape.

Jethro- I've tried a couple of bars, but couldn't reach it. I was also concerned about getting a dent at the pressure point, although that wouldn't be too big a problem.

Brewsky- The dent is actually on the opposite side from the petcock hole. The suction cup is a good idea. I'll check into the dentless repair people, I know they have them around Sacramento.

I'll let you know what worked- or didn't:)

Honda305.com Forum

honda305.com Forum

removing dent from tank?

removing dent from tank?

Use a Rubber!

dent