Topic: Filling in dent or impression on a tank?

[cleveland]

So I have been thinking about filling in the hole for the Honda decal on the side of my tank.  I am not as mechanical as I would like to be so I am looking for a beginner suggestion.  Is there a "metal putty" or similar product that you guys recommend?  I would like to smooth it over and then paint it.

Thanks, cleveland

[sparty]

Clev,

It is easy to do.  Strip the tank.  Use a good primer/sealer.  Putty the dented areas.  Sand.  Re-primer/sealer several coats.  Wet sand.  Paint.  Clearcoat.  Let dry.  Mount tank.  Fill tank.  Ride.

Sparty

[cleveland]

Any kind of puddy?

[DJ_AX]

=> Bondo

[aptech77]

=> Bondo

YEA!!!!

[cafe75-550]

My 2 cents on the matter- I used to work for my father in a brit car restoration shop, mostly doing concourse bodywork. I found a couple things out in this process, stripping cars and reworking bodies. Bondo is talc based, meaning that if it isnt properly sealed, it will absorb water and rust out the metal behind it. When you first seal with primer everything is great, but a chip in your paint can end up leading to a hole in the metal behind it. As a result we used a product called "metal 2 metal" from Evercoat. It doesnt change color like bondo does when mixed with hardner, so it has a little bit of a learning curve, but it is aluminum powder based, so it will not absorb water. It also "feathers" on edges better, so its easier to get a smooth finish. Its what I've used so far to cover my badge holders and smooth out my knee dents. Not that I'm done, but it works well...

[ic455]

Automotive fiberglass kit.  Comes with resin and fiberglass cloth.  For an emblem indentation, the cloth with resin should be about the right height to slightly overfill so that you can block it out.  If not, try 2 small pieces of cloth with resin.  Also works great as a quickie fix for rotted rockers on very old cars

[superchode]

i used evercoat's 'metal-to-metal' (mentioned above) on the bare metal of my tank... and rage gold body filler for finer work after primer was laid down.

i'm happy with the results and the rage gold is great stuff to work with... but i won't have any info on how durable the result is for some time.

[dusterdude]

My 2 cents on the matter- I used to work for my father in a brit car restoration shop, mostly doing concourse bodywork. I found a couple things out in this process, stripping cars and reworking bodies. Bondo is talc based, meaning that if it isnt properly sealed, it will absorb water and rust out the metal behind it. When you first seal with primer everything is great, but a chip in your paint can end up leading to a hole in the metal behind it. As a result we used a product called "metal 2 metal" from Evercoat. It doesnt change color like bondo does when mixed with hardner, so it has a little bit of a learning curve, but it is aluminum powder based, so it will not absorb water. It also "feathers" on edges better, so its easier to get a smooth finish. Its what I've used so far to cover my badge holders and smooth out my knee dents. Not that I'm done, but it works well...

metal 2 metal,damn right

[cafe75-550]

superchode- the result is very durable from my experience, my austin-healey has been wearing the stuff for over 20 years (Its been "my" car since shortly after birth) without any hiccups or problems. I recently tore the car down for a partial resto and paint with no ill effects noticed whatsoever...

[cleveland]

Thanks for the advice guys!  I really like the tank I saw that looked like it was sprayed with bed liner.