Shrinking Sheet metal !! Heat/ice or shrink hamer

Anybody use a shrinking hammer or heat and ice to pull some stretched metal back.

Have a fender that took a pretty good hit and have it looking pretty good but still have some high spots/stretched metal.

Is the $40 shrinking hammer worth the money.
Has anybody used heat and water/ice?

Anybody try these methods and what was the outcome
Thanks Clair.


Edit I use to just mud it in but would too really try for the best panel this time

The shrinking hammer will work to a certain degree. It depends on how "high" your problem area is. I sometimes use the torch and a rag soaked in ice water to pull them back. You start on the outside edge of the high spot and work your way in. I also have a heating/shrinking tip for my stud gun. It works wonders on the little ones, then finish with a body file. If the area is radically distorted and appears as a "bubble" from too much hammer work, I sometimes remove some material by slicing it in the middle with a thin cutting wheel, hammer and dolly it flat, then weld the split back. I realy hate using filler and sometimes go overboard to avoid using it. Hope this helps.

I think heat is the best method for shrinking. I haven't had much luck with a shrinking hammer.

Shrink hammer worked better for me. Ice only worked on the hail dents, but I'm not a bodyman.

Also, one of these will make an average man into a metalworking genius on the small dents.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43996&item=4534622885&rd=1

Good info muddshark
Do you have that tool ???

I slit/reweld the one dent/ to stop it from OIL canning.
That worked well.

The area I am currently working is not that bad will try the heat/ice and see how that does.
Yes I basicly over streached it from beeting it out.

A stud gun with a shrinking tip works real well for the average guy . You can use an air hose instead of water to shrink with too.

I was not aware they made a shrinking tool for stud guns
What’s a good gun that will last/work well?
I have alway wanted 1 and now may be the time !!!!

I've got a Uni-spotter 4500. I've had it for years and have abused it, dropped it and it's still cookin'. I also have a couple of bullseye picks in different sizes. Fix one fender with one and you'll wonder how you ever lived without one. Same for the stud gun.

Post deleted by Clair