Jim McClain
Full Access Member
Heating the pinch weld itself wouldn't help much, unless you used a torch and extreme heat. It actually bends pretty easy with some well placed hits from a 3-5# sledge hammer.
The plastic liner can be softened with a heat gun so you can cut and fold back a section that covers the pinch weld. After learning this procedure here on JeepKJ.com, I explained it to my mechanic. I've used similar methods of molding and folding commercial sheet vinyl and VCT during my 35 years in flooring. Unfortunately, the shop owner tries to discredit every bit of "internet info" I try to pass along, so he gave the mechanic his own instructions. This resulted in him breaking the chunk of plastic covering the pinch weld. He was going to try to glue it back on, but I suggested he just paint the area to protect it from the elements. I'll have it coated with bed liner this spring or summer.
The plastic liner can be softened with a heat gun so you can cut and fold back a section that covers the pinch weld. After learning this procedure here on JeepKJ.com, I explained it to my mechanic. I've used similar methods of molding and folding commercial sheet vinyl and VCT during my 35 years in flooring. Unfortunately, the shop owner tries to discredit every bit of "internet info" I try to pass along, so he gave the mechanic his own instructions. This resulted in him breaking the chunk of plastic covering the pinch weld. He was going to try to glue it back on, but I suggested he just paint the area to protect it from the elements. I'll have it coated with bed liner this spring or summer.
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