Removing Dings?

Hey,
Is there anyway of removing dings yourself? like some sort of suction thing?

Thanks,
Will

I was thinking about this the other day, maybe you could drill a small hole on the opposite side and push it out, then repair the hole with weld material. Even if this is possible, It would probably be stronger left alone?

Doubt you would get something powerful enough to suck it out.

Other option is some kind of flexible filler that you could then paint over? paint may flake off though.

I found these pics at yellow jersey, you could get a frame builder to fill the dent with metal.

You can certainly do it with metal but you can 'DIY' with plastic padding epoxy and sanding it down. Its quite nice stuff to sand actually. I've just done an old bathtub with it before painting it with 'Tubby' bath paint. Worked a treat.

Bondo.
http://www.3m.com/us/auto_marine_aero/bondo/catalog_brand3324.html?hdrBrand=1

dent filler.

it's done all the time.

hmm thanks for all the links guys! :) much appreciated!

Anyone rate the "grab a frame clamp, make it 1mm too tight then twist around the frame" method for ding removal?

I'm tempted by it, but not convinced...

Would any filler withstand powdercoating?

dunno doubt it . .

you need to have the dent filled with 'silver solder' (as in the photo) if it is going to be powdercoated, even normal solder is too low a melting point. Other fillers will melt in the curing oven.

???

if i could, i would fill all my frame dents with the tesco stuff. tastes so good.

when frames are sprayed they're shot blasted (certainly if steel), not sure on Alu but something has to remove the paint easily and quickly as well as cheaply too.

Shot blasting will undoubtedly remove plasctic padding, solder, etc, and Tesco's stuff too! Then the sprayer does his bit, taking no notice of the damage exposed, and you end with a pile of pooh, and got to pay for the privilege too.

Steel can be filled with brass, alu no, plastic padding etc after the removal of the paint.

BTW carbon frames aren't shot blasted, otherwise there'd be nothing left but carbon dust, expensive dust mind you!

Carbon is wet & dry rubbed down, and then filled and sprayed, ie the more the frame is sprayed, the more it gains weight.

I have a question which is relates to this. The other day I went into a massive pothole and one of the several problems I came away with is a small ding on the back rim. This means that every time I use my back brake it catches on the ding. I have ridden on it a bit and it still feels fine but it is pretty annoying.

Anyone know a simple way to knock the bump out of the rim?

get an adjustable spanner, tighten it round the ding, and pull it back into place.

As for dings in frames, I've used chemical metal with good results.

Ok so, I have a nasty ding in my top tube and want to get my frame re-sprayed at some point in the near future.. whats the best plan? Get a frame builder to fill it and then get it shot blasted?

Blast first, fill second.

Cool, thanks man. This topic has made me very happy.. everyday I look at that ding and it makes me sad. Some fucker tried to steal my bike by doing the d-lock twist thing.. fortunately he didn't manage it, but still mutilated my frame.

cheers asm. will try it out now.

As for dings in frames, I've used chemical metal with good results.
care to tell me what chemical metal is ;) is it better than getting a frame builder to fill it in?

Magnets?

http://www.supermagnete.de/eng/project8

did this work on the Mather ding?

BUMP!

Anyone know if these ^^ processes can be done on chrome forks? Hoping so, although stripping chrome, repairing dings, then rechroming them will probably cost me an arm and a leg!

The magnet thing only works because the brass is very thin and soft. The steel tubing in forks is way thicker, so unfortunately it won't work.

If chemical metal can be polished (and I'm not sure if it can be), then fill/sand (extremely carefully so as to not damage the surrounding chrome)/brush with brass wool, then polish, would probably be your best bet.

Otherwise, you might find a really old-school car mechanic who still knows how to fill dents with lead - get him to fill your dents with pewter and polish them up.