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Author
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Topic: Repairing a dented shuttle Pepsi can?
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goose77
Member Posts: 55
From: Marion, Iowa
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 09-01-2020 07:52 PM
   
I recently mailed a replica STS-51F Pepsi can to be autographed. On its return trip, despite being sent in a heavy-duty cardboard tube with bubble wrap around it, the can was pretty badly dented. About the only positive note is the area of the autograph itself is not dented.Does anyone have recommendations or thoughts on if there is hope to restore the can to something close to its original condition? |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 836
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-01-2020 08:13 PM
Use air pressure to reinflate the can. You would have to build a fitting around the can opening. Build up pressure in small steps to avoid rupturing the can. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44578
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-01-2020 09:19 PM
Unfortunately, the replica dispensing mechanism (think shaving cream or Cheez Whiz) may not be attached to the can securely enough in order to hold pressure (based on past experience with another damaged can).If you have access to a strong magnet, maybe you can use it to pull the dent out. I also had the thought of threading a straightened wire clothes hanger through the opening to push out the dent from the inside, but I fear that too will damage the molded dispensing mechanism. |
MikeSpace
New Member Posts: 8
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2020
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posted 09-01-2020 10:00 PM
I am imagining, as a last effort, a micro 'dent puller' just real small, less than 1mm, which yeah, is puncturing the can, but some dent pulling works.I imagine (I could be dead wrong) sufficient pressure to inflate a dent out might cause some other blowout elsewhere. Good luck! Please do not take my advice!!  |
MikeSpace
New Member Posts: 8
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2020
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posted 09-01-2020 10:02 PM
I should have read Robert's entire post.What he said. |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 655
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 09-01-2020 10:17 PM
A hair dryer for focused heat? |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 836
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-01-2020 11:40 PM
A trick that car dealers use to take out hail dents in car bodies - a small piece of dry ice in the dent will sometimes pop out the dent. |
goose77
Member Posts: 55
From: Marion, Iowa
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 09-02-2020 05:08 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I was so bummed out when I saw the condition of the can I did not check the replica dispenser mechanism until you mentioned it, Robert. It is indeed broken off from the plastic base piece. I'm thinking a strong magnet is my best bet. Not sure if it's salvageable but I want to try. |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 655
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 09-02-2020 05:18 PM
Keep in mind that at ambient temp, jerking on the wall with a magnet may very well cause a split in the metal. I still think temperature (hot or cold) is the safest bet. |
Headshot
Member Posts: 938
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 09-02-2020 06:20 PM
Would it be possible to fill the can with water, seal it off with some caulk or liquid plastic, and then freeze it? Water expands and perhaps would slowly pop out the dent. Be careful not to get the autograph wet. |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 655
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 09-03-2020 01:35 AM
It may well be possible to put water in the can and freeze it, but I can imagine a few scenarios why that would be a bad idea. The seal on the end(s) of the can may fail; other bulging could occur; and depending on the dent, it may not even come close to resolving. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 836
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 09-03-2020 10:02 AM
I don't know the value to you for making things right, nor the particulars of your can without a picture, but you could take it to a Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) expert.A local PDR person has worked wonders on our cars over the years without drilling or chilling, getting harmlessly into tight spaces and smoothing thicker gauge (painted) metal. A pro might be able to help or at least advise. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 836
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-03-2020 12:58 PM
Agree with the automotive Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) suggestion. They may do it for free just for the fun of repairing your Pepsi can. |
oly
Member Posts: 1092
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 09-03-2020 08:50 PM
If there are no creases in the can material try pressurizing with air to help push the dent out, try using or making a vacuum dent puller using a suction cup to pull where required. The air pressure helps stabilize the can.You may find the air pressure alone may be enough. If the material is creased or seriously deformed, it would have stretched, meaning it will never return to its previous shape, and may be best left as alone. |
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