Cap Catcher dent repairs

[RYNWATER]

Anyone have any ideas of how to take the back plate off the cap catcher?
I would like to fix a few dents, and this is the only way to get inside.

I'm holding out for a few ideas before I start cutting
Thanks in advance

[Creighton]

Hello RYNWATER,

First off welcome to the board !

Can you post a photo of the cap catcher? If have trouble just email to:
cjs@lost-coast-designs.com

Suspect this can be mended without taking the back off.

Folks on here far better than me on such things.
Creighton

[RYNWATER]

I will post a pic soon. The whole unit is getting sandblasted.
Really appreciate the help.
Thanks!
BTW; what is mended? That a way to do bodywork?
Rookie question.....I know!

[brasskey]

I assume Creighton is just saying it can probably be fixed without taking it apart.

[MoonDawg]

       Are we to assume your cap catcher is for a slider?

[RYNWATER]

Slider indeed
It has a few dents lower down, and it seems the only way to hammer these out is to remove the back plate.
I don't see any weld marks, and def no screws holding it together. Maybe a strong adhesive.
Just want to get a consensus before I start dismantling it.
Last thing I want to do is wreak it, and have to buy a new one!

[Jim]

Any PDR guys in your area?  Paintless Dent Repair
They may be able to get a rod in there to get most of the dent out OR even, they could "glue pull" them out to remove...  This technique may not beapplicable as the cap catcher metal is pretty thick...  Worth a shot as I have utilized PDR in various circumstances...

[Creighton]

Sorry mended is same as fixed. Some may recall "Faulty Towers" with John Cleese on BBC. One of my favorite exchanges is "Mending it now dear".

Anyway back to the problem. Would think holes could be drilled in the back centered on the dents. Place catcher face down on a hard surface. Piece of metal slid into the catcher over the dent. Long flat tip punch or metal rod into the holes and hammer on the rod to drive the dents out. Doubt any lynch mob will assemble for drilling holes in the back. Easy to braze closed.

Creighton

[ajf5577]

Sorry mended is same as fixed. Some may recall "Faulty Towers" with John Cleese on BBC. One of my favorite exchanges is "Mending it now dear"

Can you post some pics ?

[Ross]

One option is to spot weld a stud(s) onto the dent, and use a slide-pull hammer to pull out the dent.  This way, you don't need to be able to reach the back of the dent.

Here is a Stud Spot Welder kit from Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/stud-welder-dent-repair-kit-61433.html .  I haven't purchased/used this item from Harbor Freight, but of course there are professional versions available as well.