Quote Originally Posted by LEE T View Post
They are both the same thickness as the original, but both are softer than the original. I can actually use my hand as a dolly for the back side and hammer on the front to work out the dents.

I'm shrinking the panel in areas to make it look better and noticed something very strange. Some areas on the golden star don't seem to want to be shrunk with a stud gun, although the shrinking disc works good. Instead of the target area shrinking, it may be an ajacent area.

I also bought a repro front fender for an unbelieveable price because it has a few dents, and it is also soft and very pliable.
What do you think makes the older steel harder than the new steel? I have a hard time believing it's the composition so it must be work-hardening from cold rolling or forming. Cold rolled steel is hardened by the rolling process. Perhaps they're now annealing the steel after cold-rolling or using hot-rolled and pickled steel so it forms easier.