Split Bus Nose Question

[trevor421]

Hi guys,
I was bumping up the low spots and creases on the nose of my bus today. It went pretty well but the nose still needs to pop out abit more. I was able to do this by applying preasure from the inside until it popped back to where its supposed to be, but as soon as i stop the preasure of course it just goes back. How do you work it so that once you get the nose to pop out to where you want it that it will stay there. I know this is probably a dumb question, but i seriously no nothing about body work, thanks.

[Matt]

Your metal is stretched and oil-canning. You need to find a way to shrink it, first find the high spot of the damaged area, warm it up with a set of torches, so it is cherry red (not a big area though,smaller than the size of a dime), with someone on the inside holding a dolly on the hot-spot, strike it with a firm but not forceful blow, just once. Then while it is still warm tap gently around the hot-spot moving the metal into the center of the hot-spot. Quench it with compressed air, or a damp cloth.

Keep in mind the 2 basics of metal work,

Hammer on dolly stretches the steel
Hammer off dolly shrinks the steel.

Hope any of this helps in your quest for a straight nose
 

[trevor421]

Nice, im off to try it right now   . thanks

[Matt]

So, how did you do?  

[trevor421]

Hi there,
I didnt get at it for very long, but its starting to look alot better. Next weekend I'll have another go and bring my air compressor home. Any more helpful hints or tips  ^_^ ?
Thanks