Popping out a gas tank dent, any tricks ?
 

Finally grabbed up a dual sport . Got an 1989 Yamaha xt 350 with a broken piston. Gonna be a little winter project for me . So, it has a steel tank ,and of course , there is a nice sized dent right in the side.
Any good tricks? The dent is in a place that I cannot really get good access from inside the tank, so I cannot really bang it out that way .
I guess I can flush the life out of the tank and use a stud gun dent puller if I have to , but I would rather not . Fill with water and freeze? Suction cups ?
I am sure I could google it , but you guys are more fun .

Congrats on your new scooter, Fred!

I wonder if it would make sense to buy a new tank...either used or after market?

If yours could be fixed, someone here would know.

Can you post a couple pics?

Get one of these!

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1cP6StA5VYg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Seal it and use air was the old technique.....

^^ Bloody scary - that technique - if you ask me. Make sure to take all the necessary precautions because the potential of bad $chitt happening with any pneumatic testing or process.

Cheers
JB

If you're referring to the T-Hotbox above, I think it's done with heat.

It should be 99% water, 1% air...

What about the hot glue packages? They are cheap on Amazon.

I just did it this morning on a Unimog tank that was dented on the bottom pretty good, Just blocked off all the ports and put the air to it. Popped out all dents and looks as good as new!

Lots of YouTube vids showing success.
I've got a slight tank dent in my '75 Yam. DT400 that I need to address.
I may try this method first.

Depending on how big, where it is, and how badly the metal has stretched....

Heat with blowtorch. Good and hot.

Ice water.

Used to do with to remove dents from armor all the time.

Of course, you'll have to repaint.

Powerful suction cup maybe. I've managed to pull out a couple using one.

I ruined a good tank once using air pressure....The bottom of both side bowed away from the frame.....Looked like the Droppy ears on an old Hound Dog...

You don't need much pressure

Put a bit in and use a hammer to gently tap around the edges of the dent

Tim Hancock posted pics working out a dent one time. Pm him!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/406169-new-project-cb450-soon-cafe-racer.html

Use them all at once ?:
-Metal straps or vice to contain and maintain everything.
-Internal pressure.
-External pull studs.
-Heating everything with spot cooling center to quick shrink (nitrogen dry ice?).
-Tapping edges (but metal is stretched and weak there).
-Pushing from inside like PDR.