Petrol Tank dent.

Matt Read · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 May 2007 Karma :

My tank has a dent in it. Are you able to get it taken out, by these guys who come to your house and somehow suction it out. I have been told about this service for getting dents out of car panels, but I am unsure if i works for petrol tanks.

If you can get it done, has anyone used a 'good' and 'cheap' company in the Swindon area, they could recommend?

owdamer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Karma :

I guess it depended on the dent. I had a dented tank repaired last year. You can see the dent in the pic. You can remove the fuel pump and get your hand inside that tank and I couldn't push or knock it out. I got a local guy who has a car body shop to repair it and paint it. Did a great job.

Before

https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/owdamer/Tank/IMG_6481.jpg

After

https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/owdamer/Tank/IMG_6861.jpg

Matt Read · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 May 2007 Karma :

The dent is quite large, but shallow and smooth. It looks like it could be gotten out, but I don't want to spedn lots of money as I could always buy a replacement cheap on ebay or a breakers. But due to the type of dent it is, I think it should be possible to get it out.

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

if there isn't a crease in the tank, then you might just be able to get a wooden drift*, poke it inside the tank, find the bump and give the drift a few taps or just try and push it out.
photos would be handy Very Happy

*(by wooden drift i mean a branch from a tree Very Happy

)
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
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big.bee.time · Nova Slayer Joined: 17 May 2007 Karma :

Matt Read · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 May 2007 Karma :

Here is a picture. I guess I can construct a "dent pusher rod" and give it a go. It will give me an excuse to go out and combust all the fuel in my tank as well.

athelstan · Nova Slayer Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Karma :

I seem to remember that some years ago I heard of a repair that involved filling most of the tank with water, softening the metal by applying heat on the outside of the dent then applying compressed air to blow out the dent. Seems a bit complicated to me.

Odie · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Matt Read · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 06 May 2007 Karma :

That sounds like a good idea. I will try pushing it out with a stick first. If not I will see if I have got any old inner tubes around.

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

IF you try to push it out with wood you'll put marks in the metal. A dent-doctor would roll the dent out for about £20.
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JGY6000 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Karma :

yes "dent doctors" have special tools that they use to slowly rub/push the dent out, if theres enough access dont see why they couldnt do it on a tank!

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

wood will be ok as long as its not some sort of hard wood,
a soft pine will be ok as its quite soft and will flex, but it shouldn't be too hard to get it out, fingers crossed.
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

Jamie S · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Karma :

If all else fails use filler, thats what I did on the Ariel , I will post some before and after pictures later on, you can't even tell there was ever a dint there