Fixing Alum dents

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sasanm

Seaman
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
67
Hi guys great site and alot of info. I am looking at giving my early 60's 18ft Starcraft Holiday paint job and I have some simple questions. The front of the hull has some minor dings/dents is there a easy way to remove them? Also I believe before I paint i will need to prime the large scratches that show alum. Then I will be painting over the paint that is on the boat now which is a auto paint that the previous owner put on 10-15 years ago. Do you guys see any issues with just going over this paint? I am also trying to find some info on what exactly is the roll and tip method of painting because I do not have a sprayer.
 
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old-gubbins

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Messages
81
Re: Fixing Alum dents

I will leave the first part to the experts, but roll and tip can be answered by googling "roll and tip" including the quotes.

One link is: www dot youtube.com/watch?v=LTVVjzbA72U

Ignore the product specific references, the technique is explained clearly.

Regards

O-G
 
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TheWoodCrafter

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
414
Re: Fixing Alum dents

Removing dents from aluminum takes the proper tools and a little practice.
Auto body tools, dolly and hammer, a grinder and bent file.
How deep and big are they and can you reach both sides at the same time?
 
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Trackbolt

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
99
Re: Fixing Alum dents

sasanm

My son and I removed some major dents from my 1958 Alumacraft Open C. We used wood blocks and C clamps to press out the major bends and finished it up with body shop hammer and dolly. It was no too difficult but required patience. Body shop hammers and dollys can be had at some NAPA auto parts stores and online tool companies. As far as paint goes, I always had good adhesion of the new paint to the old by using 400 grit sand paper to rough up the surface. Bare aluminum scratches should be primed with zinc oxide primer available at most marine stores. Good luck with your boat.
 
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sasanm

Seaman
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
67
Re: Fixing Alum dents

Guys,
Thanks for the info. As for the dents they are not deep but they are just big 3-4 inches. It is more like a concave. I have a bunch of them so the front looks like it is warped.
Thanks again,
James
 
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JimMachinery

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
48
Re: Fixing Alum dents

I found a dead blow hammer to be very effective for removing dents. You can find one very inexpensively at Harbor Freight or Northern Tools.

Good Luck!
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,986
Re: Fixing Alum dents

Ayuh,........

For the Dents,..... I've used a leather mallet,+ a block of hardwood for a hammer,+ dolly before......

With a simple divit, You should be Fine,.....
When pounding out more complex dents that might have a Crease in them,....
Care must be taken, because the Aluminum will "Work-Harden",+ cause Cracking at a later date, if you don't Anneal the metal as you remove the creases.....
 
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thefairlaneman

Banned
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
1,790
Re: Fixing Alum dents

I used some of the epoxy putty made for metal to fill several gashes in my boat. The stuff drys super hard and can be sanded.
 
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