Anyone had success taking a ding out of a chrome headlight bucket?

I put a quarter next to it for reference.
Thanks.

 

Put a piece of wood dowel that has a rounded end on it in a drill press. Slowly keep pressing the dent out with the drill press and a block of wood under the bucket. Don't turn on the drill, just use it like a arbor press.

 

That's worth a shot...get's me thinking.
Thanks

 

You'll probably need to re-plate the piece afterward. A reputable chrome shop will pop
that dent out, sand and buff as necessary and chrome plate it, with little charge for the
dent removal.

 

dang I have used a drill press the same way before with good results also.

 

hey,

Idea #2 says hear the area around the dent with a heat PRIOR to working it. Heated chrome , nickle & copper will flex better than room tempture will. Clamp a broom stick in a bench vise, and gently roll around the dent's outside area. Go slow, and watch for the metal to move. You may have to do some light tapping with a plastic or wood hammer, or a body hammer with the face taped over.

This method, over the drill press method will allow you to monitor the repair, and control just how much force you'll need to rempve the damage.

Good luck-

" Meanwhyle, back aboard The Tainted Pork "

 

Thanks Gents,

If I can get it "better" without making it worse, I'll be happy...these are pretty old aftermarket buckets...from the 70's, made of maybe 18ga...fairly thick anyways...as thick as the originals on my '36 Ford PU...you think a propane torch will get it hot enough...hate to over heat it with Oxy/Acetelyne.

 

Hey,

A heat gun will provide all the heat you'll need to keep the chrome from cracking. The use of an open flame on a plated surface requires a sharp eye to know when '' enough '' is enough.

 

If I were doing this job ,I'd set that headlight bucket on a shot or sand bag. You will need
to let the dent move . A solid surface will not allow that to happen. Just be careful and sneak up the final shape.
Good luck,hope it turns out well. .................Jack

 

Melt old lead wheel weights. While still hot & liquid pour some into a good undamaged inside section of the shell. Let it solidify, then remove it. Pour more lead into a shallow round container, push an undamaged outside section into the molten lead. hold the shell there until the lead solidifies. remove the shell, you now have two perfectly shaped dollies to tap against. Be gentle tapping, with patience you will a perfect repair. Greg

 

Thanks again all...will give it a go tomorrow and see how it turns out, and will post pics of my success/failure