I'm still waiting to work through the claim process for damage to my recently purchased Kenwood KR-9600. Once I have the claim processed and settled, is it possible to work this faceplate back into shape?? As the pics show, the corner is bent and there is a BB size ding on the edge. The receiver was in very, very nice condition. But now, not so much. I'm not sure I want to experiment with my metalworking technique on this receiver. From some other posts it sounds like mistakes can be made and it could be made worse. Thanks in advance.

There's hope! I've seen Dennydog work wonders on bent faceplates to the point you couldn't tell the corner had been damaged. With the appropriate technique, you can straighten it back. I'll let the folks who've already attempted such a repair chime in, but I will say that Dennydog's Realistic receiver repair turned out very nicely considering the damage. :yes:

The bend yes the dent no not without either damage to the surrounding finish or the addition of material and damage to the surrounding finish. Basically the dent is there to stay.

Bend it back and turn the lights down low.

I'd put a couple layers of masking tape on both sides and then put the bend in a table vise. Slowly clamp down until you can't turn it any more. It'll get > 90% of the bend out with 2-3 attempts.

If you warm it up with a heat gun 1st(don't get it too hot, just very warm) It'll bend back easier and won't stress the metal as much as bending it cold. it may come all the way back. Just mack sure it's protected with the tape or something else that's sacrificial.

As for the dent, like Mark said, you'd do more damage trying to get it out. Think of it as a Beauty mark. You could blend the edge of the dent with a dremel or a very fine small jewelers file.

Larry

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I don't have a heat gun, but I sometimes use the SWMBO's blow dryer for same purpose. I will use a lot of masking tape as suggested in order to prevent other marks on the faceplate. I didn't receive the promised e-mail from UPS so the jury is still out on the claim. I will pursue until some sort of compensation is achieved.

One other thing, I intend to do a thorough inspection of the internals-- especially near the side that suffered the impact. Other than obvious broken hardware inside, anything else I should look for?? Broken wires, cracked PCBs, damaged mounting hardware maybe?? I sure hope those little analog meters were not damaged. I fully expect on initial power up I should expect some burned out lamps. Keep the suggestions coming. It's appreciated. jim

See if you can line the jaws of your vice with a smooth material such as scrap sheet metal from a HVAC company near you. The tape will help, but if you clamp very hard the "teeth" on the vice jaws will still show on your faceplate. You can also dress the edges of the dent with a fine tooth file and it will not be so noticeable.

There are a couple ways to do this but the vise method should be the easiest. I would however take the front panel completely off the unit before attempting it.

Then compress the bend between 2 pieces of hardwood, not the vise jaws directly, and use plenty of masking tape as noted.

De-burr the notch with a knife, fill with epoxy.

Touch up epoxy fill with silver paint.

Thanks for all the advice. Your responses have also confirmed there should be no pounding involved. I'm still fussing with UPS at this point. I've made four phone calls and have been told three different methods to begin documentation-- but no details provided by UPS. I may end up regretting keeping the receiver at this rate..... Wisdom dictates that patience and persistence will be needed.

Hammer = A very easy fix.

Remove the faceplate.

Place it face-up on a hard surface (like solid metal 1/2" thick flat bar on a concrete floor). Be sure that the face-plate is supported evenly. Make sure that the plastic dial display housing is not touching the floor or the metal bar.

Place the bent corner directly over the flat bar or whatever you are using.

Get a BIG hammer - I use a 5 pound one for this job.

Cut a 3" piece of 2x4.

Place the wood directly over the bent corner which is on top of the bar.

Hit the wood with your hammer. Don't be bashful. It will be noisy. One shot should perfectly staighten the aluminum and you will never know it had been bent.

Aluminum can only take a few bends before it will break - so if it has been bent before, it may crack. But - probably nothing to worry about.

DH

See: THIS (www.audiokarma.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-185345.html)

Or you could use a good sized c-clamp and a few small pieces of wood. Sandwich the faceplate between the wood and slowly compress (tighten) the clamp. May need to do it in stages. I would remove that grab handle thingy first. Slowly work the bend out.

The dent could be smoothed out a little with a file and some sandpaper (on the edge of the face plate only). Maybe even a touch of filler and a little silver paint, but I would not do anything to it if the dent is visable from the front.

I don't like the idea of masking tape and jaws of a vise to straighten the bend. The masking tape is no match for the teeth in a vise. You will most certianly mark the face plate. YD

dent is a tough one, basically you need someone to tig weld extra aluminum in there. Alloy wheels are fixed this way. Of course you'll need to grind/sand afterwards, anodize, and then screen print whatever's on there.

Hi
As others have said, masking tape will not protect it completely. 2 strips of very smooth, planed hardwood will straighten it but you may get crazing of the anodising. The raised edges of the side ding can be dressed with a file and then filled with auto finishing spot putty or 2-part epoxy. Mask the place where you filled and spray with silver duco/spraypaint in a can.

tripod

If it was mine, and I planned to keep it, I would buy some stainless car door molding.

I would trim the sides of that kenwood's face plate, and hide the defect. Know one looking at it would know the difference.

I'f I ever sold it, I would share the condition.

you could look for someone parting with theirs, or buy a for parts unit, sell whatever ppl need, keep what you need.. Put a wanted ad here in audiokarma audiogon, etc?

As whsh93a stated, hammering will definitely be involved to ultimately fix this damage. If you don't believe us, just wait until you try the other clamping recommendations and they don't work. You will have to bend the metal beyond its flat plane to permanently straighten it. If you're not comfortable with doing this, then you can consider taking it to a good local body shop or mail it to me to fix.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I stand corrected about not having to use some impact method to straighten the faceplate. I'm STILL working through the UPS claim. UPS did confirm receipt of the pictures, so some sort of evaluation is in progress. Whatever recovery occurs, it won't make-up for the carelessness. I will wait until the claim is processed before opening the unit. Maybe the internals have survived except for some lamps. Hokieman, I may be in touch to straighten the faceplate, but it will probably be a couple of weeks at the rate the claim is being processed. We'll stick with it though....