doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dent Removal in Wood

I have read a couple of posts on this BBS about dent removal. The question I have is did you use a soldering iron? If so whats the wattage? I tried this for the first time this weekend without any sucess.

Derrick

Derrick,

I actually use my wife's steam iron and a wet cotton cloth folded about 4-6 thicknesses. Make certain all finish is off the area to be steamed. If it is truly a dent and not a gouge it will come close to the original surface (depending on depth it may come all the way) and require some sanding/blending with the surrounding area. Good luck and I am certain others will add comments.

Jim

Most of the shallow dents I raise with a MonoKote iron from a model airplane hobby store. Brownells carries this same iron. But using a spoon and a gas stove or propane torch is more effective in a shorter time, the most effective I've found. I like to use a piece of old T-shirt just doubled over and so wet it almost drips. Rub the hot iron or spoon on the T-shirt until the sizzling slows down and move the T-shirt to another wet area over the dent. Keep doing this until the dent is flush. Allow it to dry before sanding, a day is fine.

Jim's steam iron method works for me. Set the iron to its max temp and apply over the wet folded cloth until it is almost dry and check progress.

JC(AL)

I have used the steam iron on a few stocks and a few tables to remove dents. As someone already posted, so long as it is not a cut, because then the fibers in the wood are cut and they won't react the same. I use a wet washcloth, use an old one, or your wife will be steaming, and wet it and then ring it out. Make sure the finish is off the area and apply the cloth to that area and put the steam iron on it's highest setting. You will hear it sizzle and cause steam, when it is done making noises, look at the area. Depending on the depth of the dent, you might have to do this a few times.
Let the area dry and you should be ready to sand and finish the wood.
Good luck

I have had good results with a heated table knife and wet Bounty kitchen roll or a wet cloth, make sure it is 100% cotton.

I have found an iron set to max and used with a et cloth does the job just as well and without so much fuss if you are working in the hose rather than aworkshop. you really can steam out some bad dents and even gouges lift a lot, leaving less filler required shoulfd you need to use it.

I generally use sanding dust from the stock mixed with wood glue or Araldite- then just sand the repair flush, re-colour and finish. Be careful not to use sandings that have been over the silver oval - you will end up with a metallic finish!