A "Victor Meldrew " moment

[Lucky_Lou]

I am in the process of building a new "Man Cave" so the garage is looking a bit cluttered, as I shuffled round I nudged a frame which resulted in a bicycle carry frame hanging happily on the wall for many years  falling on to Gerties Fuel tank ... result a Orange sized dink
"I don't believe it"
Lou

[Tony Smith]

I loved "one foot in the grave" and the sequel "one foot in the Algrave"


My sympathies to you and Gertie.

[montmil]

Condolences.  [smiley=wall.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

Well Lou, there is always a tank cover, if you don't want to refinish the tank .

[Lucky_Lou]

Well Lou, there is always a tank cover, if you don't want to refinish the tank .

Not a bad idea, the paint job was one of the most costly bits of my rebuild, I wondered if anyone here has had any experience with dent removal people we have a few mobile companies locally but I have never used any of them... here is the Dink and the offending bike rack.
Lou

[montmil]

In the past, I've had 'paintless' hail damage corrected on several vehicles. I watched the shop work do the work on my truck. What I think would prevent you from going that route is the flange from the fuel cap down into the tank. That may prevent the "massaging" tool from reaching your dented area. Couldn't hurt to ask...

[Tony Smith]

I wondered if anyone here has had any experience with dent removal people we have a few mobile companies locally but I have never used any of them... here is the Dink and the offending bike rack.
Lou

I actually have a fair bit of experience in the theory of "invisible dent removal" I acted for an inventor who claimed to have invented a process using suction pads and high vacuum to remove dents. We lost, but the side journey was some extensive research into the then state of the art in  dent removal.

The bottom line is that it only works where the metal has not been "stretched" to any degree at all, if it hasn't then there are a number of methods that will remove the dent and in most cases nearly (but not quite totally) invisibly.

Your dent is of a depth and placement that the metal has inevitably been stretched, no "non-invasive" process is goign to remove it entirely, however if you can find an operator locally who uses suction cups he/she may be able to substantially remove the dent to the point that you can live with it until it is time to refresh the paintwork generally.

Again, my sympathies.

[marcmax]

I have actually had a dent removed by a local dent removal company in Jacksonville. It worked well enough that I was satisfied with it but mine was on a large flat area. If they work on motorcycle tanks they will have all the necessary "rub sticks" to work through the fuel opening. The biggest problem if the dent goes into the corner where the tank curves down in front of the seat. They explained to me that flat surface dents are relatively easy to smooth out. Anything with a sharp curve, crease or ridge is tough to get it completely out.  Still if there is someone nearby it is worth a check. They can do amazing things.