Worth rolling out this dent?
07-08-21 | 04:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: California
Worth rolling out this dent?
~89' Prologue, dented in a Uhaul when I moved back home. Paint condition all over is 5/10 at best. Is a dent of this size worth getting rolled out and filled? Probably won't be ridden hard, maybe occasional curb hops. Structural integrity aside, the dent just being there is annoying to me simply because it exists. If it doesn't seem like it's completely necessary to repair for safety reasons, I might end up getting it rolled out anyway because it's kinda painful having a dent in this frame. Not sure if my LBS can roll it out and fill it either so I'll have to ask and look around. Just wanted some opinions. :-)
07-08-21 | 06:01 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Mountain Brook. AL
Downtube? If the plan is to strip and repaint and the tubing compressors are available then I would roll it out.
This rarely fully repairs the dent however so some fill will be needed. Be aware that if powder coat is intended
that powder coaters stripping of the frame will probably blast out any fill you use that is epoxy based. I had an
aluminum tandem frame powder coated and it had a small dent in the top tube which I filled carefully with
high temp labmetal but the powder coater blasted most of it out.
This rarely fully repairs the dent however so some fill will be needed. Be aware that if powder coat is intended
that powder coaters stripping of the frame will probably blast out any fill you use that is epoxy based. I had an
aluminum tandem frame powder coated and it had a small dent in the top tube which I filled carefully with
high temp labmetal but the powder coater blasted most of it out.
07-08-21 | 06:17 AM
#3
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Looks like the top tube. Lucky that it's between the cable guides; that at least makes it possible to roll out without having to remove the cable guide. The paint looks pretty beat already, so there's little to lose in rolling it out. On the other hand, there's no great hurry, either.
07-08-21 | 08:10 AM
#4
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Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Top tubes are in compression but unless you plan on jumping that Prologue I would not worry about it. Prologues are nice frames, I believe built by National which was owned but Panasonic. You could have the rolled dent braised to take out the remaining rough areas for powder coating, I have had this done and it came out very nice.
07-08-21 | 04:34 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: San Diego, CA
You could try rolling it out yourself. It's not super difficult. Some videos here. Rolling Out Bike Frame Dents With Frame/Tube Blocks - YouTube "RJ The Bike Guy" video is probably the best for a home job. Here's a place that sells the tube blocks for not crazy $$'s but you may be able to find some cheaper versions. Tube Blocks - Tools (paragonmachineworks.com)
