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General => Cosmetic and bodywork matters => Topic started by: Mr.Tom on 15 July 2010, 17:50

Title: an odd shaped dent, and how should I fix it?
Post by: Mr.Tom on 15 July 2010, 17:50
About 6 months ago I got in a bit of a rage and dented the one panel on the car that was in mint condition :( It's the drivers side rear quarter, so not a nice easy one to replace.
Basically, I punched it at a bit of an angle (and instantly felt bad about it). The cross section of the dent looks a little like ----^___---
The raised bit is what worries me. I have tried gently knocking it back in with a piece of plastic to try and avoid damaging the paint, but I have decided to respray it anyway, so not so worried.

I have tried the heating and freezing trick to see if it pops back into place, but nothing changed. I can't get to the back easily without taking out the pillar. Would I be better off bashing it in a bit, and then filling it for the respray? Or would it work out better to get a professional to have a look? The dent itself is about 4cm in diameter, with the crease at one side.
Cheers.
Title: Re: an odd shaped dent, and how should I fix it?
Post by: coleman on 16 July 2010, 22:09
heat it up and hit it from behind, other wise a new panel
Title: Re: an odd shaped dent, and how should I fix it?
Post by: Birksy on 17 July 2010, 23:15
heat it up and hit it from behind, other wise a new panel

That's an old wives tale, and you don't just put a new quarter panel on a car.

Search Google or yell.co.uk for PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) and your town and it should throw up someone in your area. Without being able to see a photo it's impossible to say, but a good PDR tech should be able to either get it out completely, or significantly improve it so much that you don't notice it, or it will only take a skim of filler and a refinish.

Do NOT bash it.  :shocked:
Title: Re: an odd shaped dent, and how should I fix it?
Post by: Mr.Tom on 18 July 2010, 00:28
By "Bashing", I meant carefully knocking it so that the ridge is flush or below the bodywork line :) I wasn't going to put a massive dent it in, hehe.
Thanks tho. It was hard to get a pic of that shows the damage too well. Will try again when the weather is good here.
Title: Re: an odd shaped dent, and how should I fix it?
Post by: Thom89 on 18 July 2010, 02:21
heat it up and hit it from behind, other wise a new panel

Expert advice :huh:
Thom