Can anyone share their techniques for denting fenders to simulate damage, abuse.

Do you just heat them and bend?

Steve

Sniper

Heating and bending is a technique that I have used quite often earlier. I`m actually still using this technique with a small modification. The part that i want to be dented first gets thinned down with a dremel. then I heat it and dent it as I want


My two cents
hope it`s of some help

A better technique is to use a motor tool with a grinding bit and thin the underside of the fender. Once this is done you can bend or dent it. If you dont have such a tool then heat slowly and remember to thin the dented portion to look like dented metal not melted plastic.

Gspatton

that is exactly the same way as i use my dremel

Another hint: If you want the fender to look rusted through or torn, grind from the backside and keep holding it up to the light. When the plastic starts to get translucent, punch through it from the backside with a sharp # 11 blade. It will give you nice, scale tears. I'll try to post a picture of what I mean later this pm.

When you are ready for a more advanced technique, go to the dentists office and ask him about the lead foil backing for mouth x-rays. He will probably have a million in a box somewhere and will be glad to get rid of them without paying the lead disposal fee. (I have a small box with about a thousand in it.) These are thin sheets of lead that can be used to replace any sheet metal part. They will crumple like the real thing and hold that shape. They can even be buffed a little to shine, but not very much. Most of the really good modelers out there have used this technique to really good effect, but it does require a little skill and practice to become proficcient at it.

Rob

I took this out of the "Modelmaker's Handbook", maybe this can help a bit?





I would use a dremel tool to thin the plastic instead of sanding like crazy (lazy, I know )

Ok it is official, I am starting to loose my marbles, I tried and tried to put some pics here before (from the MSN) but it just would not work. I simply forgot to put the whole URL in there , so here they are!

Thanks guys!

Steve