Car Dent Removal

stoobloo

I have a new car (to me) which was in mint condition till someone damaged it whilst was parked at Tesco. CCTV didn't cover that area, etc etc.

I must bear the cost of getting it repaired - am reluctantly accepting of that. However I don't know who to go to for it to be repaired.

It's basically a ripple in the rear door and there are all sorts of repair companies, some come out and do it on your premises, some require it for 2-3 days and don't give you a courtesy car!

Honda have quoted me 1500 for a whole new door, painted, etc. Have several quotes between 200 and 400 for a mobile repair. (The cheaper ones give a two year guarantee, the more expensive a lifetime guarantee).

I have had 'smart' repairs done before, and know of others that have on scratches and scuffs of paint. When coming to sell the car or trade in they tend to be detected by an inspection of the car, and therefore devalue the car. Due to the value of this car, I wish to do what will last, retain as much value as possible, cause the least grief and obviously look the best.

Any advice please?

neilmcl

Have you tried the likes of dent devils to see if it's a candidate for a paintless repair>

funkycoldribena

Is the paint scratched? Or is it just a dent?

Strider590

How big is it? Post a pic if you can........

I removed a fist sized dent from my car after parking in front of a brand new mini where it's numberplate had fallen off during a cold winters night (the driver obviously assumed id hit their car).

I used a hotmelt glue based dent puller and a soft rubber headed hammer.... Just glue a big stick to the dent, pull the dent out, remove the glue (isopropanol+water 50/50), use the hammer to flatten the surface back down level, simples

They way I see it, you can't make it any worse, so it's got to be worth a try.

Honda dealer at £1500, will send it to a guy that does it for £300 and then pocket the rest. It's important you realise that the dealership is NOT Honda, they're merely an independent sales outlet.

teffers

As long as it's not broken the paint then I'd recommend Paintless Dent Removal.

I had several on my, new to me, Mazda 2, and a great local guy did a brilliant job.

Unlikely, but if you're in East Yorkshire let me know by PM.

stoobloo

Thanks for the replies. Have had one quote from a body shop that want to spray and blend the rear quarter panel in with the door. Only the door is affected.

Also Chips away quoted me, and they would have to do respraying and claimed that they could do part of the pulling out but said the paint may crack.

All the others that 'list' Paintless Dent Removal on their websites and adverts turn around and say 'we use filler and painting techniques'... Hmmm...

Unable to post pictures as am a new user.

There two small dents that make a slight ripple. Paint not broken at all. Looks like someone may have kicked it in two places.

forgotmyname

A respray is more likely to be spotted than a paintless dent repair.

You can get a tool to measure the paint thickness, As usual there are some very cheap ones out there.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

if the crease i quite large and is more like a pinch in places, then the door really does need a bodyshop to propperly pull it out, painting will also be tricky sometimes the repair isnt large enough to spread over into other panels, sometimes (especially with metallic and mica paints) a blend to other panels is essential or youll have an odd coloured door.

200 sounds like a filler and paint job noticeable and devaluation is factored, 400+ sounds like dent removal with propper puller, minimal filler, and epoxy sealed, highbuild ,scuffed area's (that need to be blended) will also have dents in the area removed paint mixed to the current uv affected paint painted, laquered coloursanded and buffed to match the rest of the car.

CKhalvashi

I wrapped OH's rear wheelarch around a wall when reversing out the drive, and I used an independent outlet called 'The Dent Men'

It was about £500, and required a small respray (its a low wall, with a bit that sticks out the top), but as the car was virtually brand new and they used manufacturer paint, I wasn't too worried with it.

Depending on how bad/where, it may be paintless, or the paint may crack.

CK

kevin0410

would it be feasible for you to source a replacement door from a breakers and fit it yourself?

I did this and it cost only £60

Skintski

CKhalvashi wrote: »

It was about £500, and required a small respray (its a low wall, with a bit that sticks out the top), but as the car was virtually brand new and they used manufacturer paint, I wasn't too worried with it.

There is no such thing as manufacturer paint. Even the paint used at the factories can differ month to month and when used in aftermarket the paint will be differ depending upon the scheme used, whether the mix is done properly and could be done either at the bodyshop or by the paint distributor providing the product.

Regarding the £1500 quote from Honda, you will probably find that is due to them wanting to replace the door skin/complete door rather than just wanting to pull and fill the dent which being a manufacturer approved site maybe their recommended repair procedure.