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What do you use to fill dents on frames?

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What do you use to fill dents on frames?

Old 06-01-11, 12:58 PM
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What do you use to fill dents on frames?

I have a Trek 660 that has a significant DT dent (the old brake hits DT). I recall that it is possible to fill these. What do you use?

Thanks
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Old 06-01-11, 01:06 PM
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I've done Bondo for a small fill. Nothing significant though. And it wasn't a quality frame. But its easy to apply and easy to sand afterward.
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Old 06-01-11, 01:08 PM
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Silver is the proper way to do it, after rolling out the dent with blocks.

-Kurt
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Old 06-01-11, 01:13 PM
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Bondo is a temporary fix but the bondo will be more easily damaged if the brake hits the same place again. Probably not best idea if you are spending big $ or Time on a repaint.
More permanent repair technique is to fill in the divot with automotive lead body solder, or fill with brass or silver braze material.

If the headtube lug is not too close to the dent, you might also be able to roll the dent out with frame blocks.
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Old 06-01-11, 01:20 PM
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I use JB weld
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Old 06-01-11, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
Silver is the proper way to do it, after rolling out the dent with blocks.

-Kurt
Do the wooden blocks really work? Do you have any before and after pics? I have an old Bianchi with a top tube dent from the handlebar... have you ever done it yourself? Any tips?
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Old 06-01-11, 03:20 PM
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See this thread for results;
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ents?highlight=

Ive made my own wooden frame blocks from a 4"x4"x4" block, just be sure to align your drill hole and saw cut with the woodgrain so it does not split the wood when you clamp down.

Alternately, paragon sells aluminum block pretty affordably;
https://www.paragonmachineworks.com/c...&category=TB07
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Old 06-01-11, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by TMP
I use JB weld
I had a frame where the previous owner used some JB Weld. It did seem better than Bondo...
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Old 06-01-11, 04:52 PM
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Bondo is not so temporary if it's applied correctly.

This one has small spots of bondo in just about every tube. It looked like someone had beat on it with a wrench. I had to roughen the tubes with coarse sandpaper, skin them with filler and then power sand them. I painted it satin to hide any flaws in my work, but it turned out not to be necessary. I'm planning to repaint it with gloss urethane when I get around to it.



This one had a bunch of small dings in the top tube. I actually painted the tube glossy black before I painted it red so that any flaws would show up. It's a rattle can job and it's holding up very well.


Last edited by Grand Bois; 06-01-11 at 05:17 PM.
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Old 06-01-11, 05:34 PM
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I don't recomend bondo it can trap moisture under it and allow rust to form. Although it does take a long time to form. JB weld is a good solution and to be peroid correct brass or body solder.
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Old 06-01-11, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by keithcar72
I don't recomend bondo it can trap moisture under it and allow rust to form. Although it does take a long time to form. JB weld is a good solution and to be peroid correct brass or body solder.
Even the best body shops use plastic filler these days. They certainly don't use JB Weld or lead.
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Old 06-01-11, 10:20 PM
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I'm about to have my Paramount ding fixed. Silver is what I'll be using.
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Old 06-01-11, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Grand Bois
Even the best body shops use plastic filler these days. They certainly don't use JB Weld or lead.
Thank you for moving the discussion past the industrial revolution.
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