Roof Damage Repair 64 Beetle

[vwoki]

I just bought a 64 beetle, and have been attempting to try and pull this dent. I have a stud welder but my cheap slide hammer won't hold on to the studs and just slip off after a couple of wacks. What is the most efficient way to fix something like this?

[theKbStockpiler]

I wonder if the way to go would be to cut out the reinforcement on the inside so you can hammer and dolly it instead? If the reinforcement is damaged as well, you will have to fight it while trying to pop out the dents.

If you read the reviews on the HF Stud kit, I think some people welded vise/grips to the end of the supplied slide hammer. I'm told that you can use a Stud Gun to shrink metal too so that will come in handy.
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My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask.

[Tobias Bylund]

You can also try the "straight pull rings" They get welded to the panel, and have a ring that you can attach the slide hammer to with a hook attachment.

Or even cheaper/easier, use a large regular round washer, weld that to the panel and use the slide hammer


Link

[Danpa]

To get the majority of the damage out of the rear quarter, I think I would try reaching up in this area with a generously rounded over steel pry bar. Start as close to the fender as you can, slowly going up closer to the window and see if you can push most of it back out.

Then try the stud puller for the remainder.

Dan

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67 Beetle (gone)
68 Bay Window Double Cab (gone) sob, sob!
64 Beetle (gone)
77 Scirocco (gone)
73 Squareback (scrapped)
70 Beetle (current, in pieces)

[buguy]

I would try to push it out as best you can from the inside first. Maybe you could pick up a cheap harbor freight hydraulic ram for that job.

[vwkirb]

To make you life easier you really need to pull the headliner and windows. Then I'd cut out the inside of the quarter so you can get a hammer in there.

Honestly having done a repair near the area much smaller than yours, I'd start looking for a doner panel. You will spend more time getting the curve in that body line right than it's probably worth.
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Andrew Kirby