Straighten Hood

[Darby Darrow]

I have some damage to my hood as seen in the following two pictures.

My plan was to straighten by hand as best as I can then borrow some hammers and dollies and bang away. I fully recognize that I may have to buy a replacement hood, but figured that I would get the practice in first. Is this a reasonable plan of attack or should I borrow a stud welder and try to get it close before hammer time!

 

[Gusb]

I don't know a lot about this stuff yet, but I just ordered an additional big set of Martin dollies/hammers, and I've been doing a little and reading a lot. One thing I've learned from the reading, is you can do a lot of unnecessary damage banging around when you don't know what you're doing. Your hood looks like a simple fix if done correctly - but it can really be screwed up with some inexperienced hammer/dolly work. Take some time and check out the "Key to Metal Bumping" - an old little book you can get on Amazon for around $15. Practice on some other old stuff you don't care about.

Amazon.com: The Key to Metal Bumping An Instructive Manual of Body and Fender Repair Practices: Framnk T Sargent: Books

By the way - don't go by the price on this link - search for Martin body tools/hammers on Amazon and you will find the book for around $15.

 

[Darby Darrow]

One thing I've learned from the reading, is you can do a lot of unnecessary damage banging around when you don't know what you're doing. Your hood looks like a simple fix if done correctly - but it can really be screwed up with some inexperienced hammer/dolly work. Take some time and check out the "Key to Metal Bumping" - an old little book you can get on Amazon for around $15. Practice on some other old stuff you don't care about.

Amazon.com: The Key to Metal Bumping An Instructive Manual of Body and Fender Repair Practices: Framnk T Sargent: Books

By the way - don't go by the price on this link - search for Martin body tools/hammers on Amazon and you will find the book for around $15.

Great info I will check it out. I was planning on practicing on my hood while I located a replacement. But I will check out the book to improve my chances of success!

 

[Texx]

Simple fix, my ass. With around 25 years in body work and resto, I'd throw that one out. You might can eventually make it look kinda sorta okay, but you'll have 100 hours in it. Forget the hammer/dollies. You need to jump off the roof of the house onto it first!

 

[Gusb]

Well, I'm the first to admit I don't know anything compared with "25 years in body work" experience. But one thing I've noticed over the last few years is that body shops seem to have either a replace panel, use plastic filler, or trim it off approach. I've only recently found a restoration-type shop locally who even wants to approach hammer/dolly work. It's all - weld a stud, pull it out and pile on the mud. I think these days in most cases it's considered too time intensive to turn a profit. i also think it may be a bit of a lost art, like many other things. The book mentioned before (Key to...) talks about an analytical approach to repair - and how just banging away with a hammer/dolly can indeed lead to more damage and wasted time. But it also points out how correct procedure in focused areas can systematically/indirectly release/correct large areas of stress/damage and save time. I guess it depends on how you want to spend your time. Maybe it's not worth the effort, but I like your attitude of using it as a learning process if nothing else. I just got my new box of Martin tools (see attachment) today and I'm all fired up. They are very cool (whatever turns you on I guess) - and made in the USA . When Key to Metal Bumping was first written we used to make lots of good stuff in the USA.

Texx has given me good (appreciated) advice before - but I don't think I would jump off the roof.

Simple fix, my ass. With around 25 years in body work and resto, I'd throw that one out. You might can eventually make it look kinda sorta okay, but you'll have 100 hours in it. Forget the hammer/dollies. You need to jump off the roof of the house onto it first!

 

[acemechanic71]

Turn it upside down, use your foot with moderate presure to push out most of those dents, then hammer/ dolly out the rest. It sounds silly but it works. I've done it many times.

 

[Darby Darrow]

Turn it upside down, use your foot with moderate presure to push out most of those dents, then hammer/ dolly out the rest. It sounds silly but it works. I've done it many times.

A local guy gave me a deal on a replacement hood. But I will still use this as my practice piece and will try and straighten it out.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

 

[Texx]

Now you're talkin. Practice makes...well, practice makes practice! Good luck!

 

[bkfj40]

A local guy gave me a deal on a replacement hood. But I will still use this as my practice piece and will try and straighten it out.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

don't forget to practice using the hood hooks


bk

 

[TLCHopII]

Regardless of old or new. tweak the radiator guard screen so the it catches the lip of the hood. Then after the latches are released simply push in on the deflected area while simultaneously lifting the hood. Best of luck on the straightening project! Less is more. It's a process.

 

[Darby Darrow]

Regardless of old or new. tweak the radiator guard screen so the it catches the lip of the hood. Then after the latches are released simply push in on the deflected area while simultaneously lifting the hood. Best of luck on the straightening project! Less is more. It's a process.

Are you talking about making a secondary make shift lock from the radiator guard screen?

 

[TLCHopII]

Yes sir! Works like a charm. No change in appearance with hood closed and only a concourse judge could tell ya did it!

Shoots, no moving parts. Extremely effective.

Again, best of luck with your hood reclamation project. Hope you are able to release your inner body & fender man!