straightening mangled aluminum panels - feasible?

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- pedro1492
  
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posted
8 years ago

Sat, Nov 28, 2015 5:21 AM

I saw a documentary about the "lightweight" E-type Jaguar. Only 12 were made, so they are worth millions. Some bloke bought a crashed specimen, and restored it, allegedly repairing original panels. Now these were aluminum. How can you straighten it when something is creased over nearly 180 degrees? I guess you would have to heat it, then bend back about 20 degrees, then heat again in many steps, until original shape is apparent. Even then, I reckon he would have needed a lot of bog filler to getting it looking half decent.

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- Steve W.
  
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posted
8 years ago

Sat, Nov 28, 2015 8:54 AM

You anneal the panel and wheel it back into shape. Repeat until you have them all done. Not really all that hard if you know how to work with aluminum.

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- AMuzi
  
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posted
8 years ago

Sat, Nov 28, 2015 2:27 PM

It's panel beating, no heat. The material is easily stretched by overwork so it's skilled labor. I've done that on a smashed MGB bonnet and it is indeed difficult but not impossible. You're right about the fiberglass/polyester filler - can't lead fill dents and holes on aluminum.