Not into giving lessons like you are Robert, just trying to show
the original poster hozat that with enough time and patience
even an amateur can work those dings and dents out.
As far as removing metal with a file, take a peak at some of Ron
Covell's videos where he's removing metal from the high spots
then working the metal to level it. I'd say he's pretty close
to the top of the pile when you talk about modern day metal
bumpers. It might only be a few thousands that he's removing
but when your working with a 1/16" or less I don't want to take
any at all.
But as I said earlier, I don't like and I don't use a vixen file
for anything other than removing some filler, be it lead or
plastic that the cheese grater won't touch.
If you look at the lumps and bumps on that rear fender you can
see the guide coat that I used to bring out the high spots.
Those I worked till they were close then used the shrinking
disc to blend the whole area, no filing.
I had a similar mess on a front fender where a previous mechanic
had used a ballpeen hammer to ding out a dent then had tried to
level it with plastic. Looked like the bottom of an egg carton
when I'd removed the paint and plastic:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/138317741I worked this out with hammer and dolly then finished shrinking
and smoothing it with the disc.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/138317748Again, no file, just guide coat and shooting board to highlight
the hills and valleys when I got close.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
