Basics of Automotive Custom Metal Shaping
At Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, custom metal shaping is a vital part of restoring vintage cars and enhancing hot rods. Over time, vehicles experience wear and tear across their body panels, including small dings that can't be banged out, major damage that irrevocably destroys panels, and modifications that cause old panels to no longer fit correctly. In some cases, you can order panel replacements -- although custom metal shaping may be a more cost-effective option. For vintage vehicles and hot rods, custom metal shaping is often required.
Custom metal shaping is possible thanks to metal's inherent plastic deformation properties. If you use the right tools, you can create just about any shape with metal -- including the perfect curves and angles of a vintage car project.
Custom Metal Shaping Strategies for Car Projects
- Bending: Bending requires applying a regulated force to a segment of sheet metal to create a curvature on its surface. We use this method of metal shaping to create simple yet elegant curved surfaces with body panels. This form of custom metal shaping requires the perfect amount of pressure. Too little can cause the metal to spring back into its original shape, but too much can cause it to crack.
- Drawing: Drawing is a process in which a piece of sheet metal is forced against a manufactured die that the fabricator has cut into the curved shape desired. This type of custom metal shaping allows more complex curves and shapes. As with bending, the exact right amount of force must be applied to the sheet metal to shape it properly.
- Forging: Forging dates back to Ancient Egypt, but it remains an effective method of custom metal shaping. In forging, the fabricator uses a specialty press or hammer to beat a piece of metal into a more complex shape. If you're patient enough, you can try this at home with affordable tools -- but forging is an art, and if you want your custom metal shaping project completed quickly and perfectly, you should contact a forging professional.
Talk to Us to Learn More
Are you ready to get started on a new project, or do you have a current project that needs custom metal shaping? Contact us at CHRA to learn more.