184 Section 2 Nonstructural Repairs
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
pick. Pry pricks are often used in confined areas or
areas with limited-access, such as the inside of a door
or fender. The pry pick is inserted from behind the
panel to raise the low area. The pick needs a surface
to rest against for leverage. Be sure this surface is
strong. Figure 9-25 shows how this process works.
Sharply pointed picks can easily pierce or stretch
metal. Be careful. Round picks are less likely to pierce,
but they can still stretch the metal since the force is
concentrated in a small area. A pry pick is effective for
raising small low areas.
One difficulty in using the pry pick is positioning
the pick to raise the correct spot. This requires good
eye/hand coordination, because when the pick is
placed inside the panel, it is hidden from view. Unin-
tentional raising of an undamaged area will cause
stretching. To test for the correct location, insert the
pick and slightly raise the metal. Watch for movement
on the outside of the panel. Adjust the location of the
pick as needed to raise the right spot. Carefully push
the metal out with the pick.
Gradually restore the crown, starting at the
ends and working toward the center of the damage.
Raising a single point from the center of the low area
can cause problems on a high-crown panel. See
Figure 9-26.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 9-24. When leveling with a hammer and dolly,
tap on the highs and lows to vibrate the metal.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 9-26. Raising the panel at point A will not
restore the crown. Instead, raising at point A will tend
to form a straight line between point A and points B
and C. This may raise point A to the proper height,
but it will not restore points B and C. To restore
crown, raise points B and C; then gradually work
toward point A. This requires some stretching of the
metal.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 9-25. A pry pick can be used to raise low
areas. The pick uses the inner panel for leverage. This
setup can easily stretch metal, so raise the low area
gradually.
Dolly
A
B
Corrective
force
Outer
panel
Normal
contour
Inner panel
Pry pick
A
B C