Dent removal (pictures)

[Tony_T]

Hi all,

Got this dent in the rear quarter panel and while it doesn't bother me too much i wouldn't mind getting it sorted if i can do it cheap enough. Got a quote from local chips away for £230 plus VAT which to be honest is a load more than i'm willing to pay for a 15 year old car.

Was wondering how difficult it would be for someone with no experience i.e me to diy and get a half decent result. Any suggested methods? Thanks

[Tony_T]

[mike9009]

Personally I would leave it alone, if you aren't prepared to pay £235. If starting as a newbie you will end up spending a good portion of that on filler, paints, laquers and matching, 25 grades of wet and dry, machine polishers, polishing compounds, etc. Then you will get pits, incorrect profiles, paint runs, overspray, score marks, bugs in paint, hazing, rub through etc. etc.

I have 'bodged' many car bodywork repairs over the years ( from being a teenager) and even if you get it 99% perfect it will still bother you because of the 1% cock up. Then after a couple of years it will start degrading...... Aaarrrggghhhh!.

I still attempt repairs and have got to a far better (acceptable??) standard. But with anything newer (I include your 15 year old car in this), I would leave it or get a professional in.

No doubt some amateurs get it right first time, but.......

[lufbramatt]

Have you spoken to a paintless dent removal guy? A good one can achieve pretty unbelievable results and will probably be lots less than £230.

[Dashnine]

lufbramatt said:

Have you spoken to a paintless dent removal guy? A good one can achieve pretty unbelievable results and will probably be lots less than £230.

^^^ This. Bloody magicians.

[Tony_T]

lufbramatt said:

Have you spoken to a paintless dent removal guy? A good one can achieve pretty unbelievable results and will probably be lots less than £230.

Will try around. Tbh i thought thats what chips away would do (just pull out the dent - sounds easy eh) and was preprared to pay about £100.

[lufbramatt]

I had all the parking dinks taken out of my car for about £40 per panel. There were multiple dents per door. Try to find an independent guy rather than a franchise.