Hey John Kelly, how's that video coming along?, I want one! Options

[bondo]

I was going to ask if you have written a book or was planning to, about how to do what you do with sheet metal. But then I saw on your web site that you're working on a video. Will that be available anytime soon? (I'll be starting flares this fall/winter probably) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[John Kelly]

Oil cans are real tricky. I will probably do a video short on them. A brief take: Welds need to be stretched to bring them back to the true surface. Mostly an oil can comes from too much stretch (from damage or subsequent repairing) which makes the panel floppy, however sometimes you have to do minor stretching here or there to give the panel a high contour so it will hold it's shape, then shrink it back down with a shrinking disc. This will often cure an oil can. Another thing to watch out for is making sure you have the metal well smoothed with a hammer and dolly, with the correct contours up and down, and side to side, before addressing the oil can. I've noticed that if you hold the metal out with your thumb at the point that pops the oil can out, and try popping in from the other side, you can get a good idea where the stresses are, and hammer and dolly those areas that are locking and unlocking the oil can. I hope this makes sense.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com