When steel becomes stretched out or badly dented, it can be difficult to help it regain its former thickness and shape. Luckily, steel can be heated to the point where the molecules within it realign and the steel shrinks back to the desired size. If you want to heat shrink a piece of steel, whether for auto body repair or for any other application, you can do so in a few simple steps.
Don all of your protective gear, including your welding jacket, gloves, goggles and ear plugs, before starting the heat shrink process.
Turn the oxygen tank valve counterclockwise until the valve is completely open. Slowly turn the acetylene tank valve clockwise one half turn.
Open the acetylene torch valve designated by the red hose a small amount or roughly one half turn. Place the torch striker on the end of the torch and squeeze the striker together to light the torch.
Open the acetylene torch valve until the flame is roughly 8 inches long and is no longer smoking. Then, open the oxygen torch valve, designated by a green hose, until the flame does not have a "feathered" look to its center core.
Apply the torch tip to a section of the steel that is roughly the size of a dime for several seconds, or until it glows red.
Close the oxygen torch valve, followed by the acetylene torch valve. Close the tank valves in any order. Open the torch valves again to bleed out any excess gas.
Place a damp rag over the heated steel while it is still glowing red to shrink the steel in place.
