Aluminium Panel Repairs

[PhilkSVR]

I have a Mercedes SL with aluminium boot and bonnet lids. On both there are very small indentations which I would like to have removed. I have a dent repair guy coming round to have a look, but I wondered if anyone on her had any experience of working with aluminium and how much more difficult it is to rework than normal steel panels.

[Skyedriver]

Repanelled a Lotus 7 many years ago, mostly flat but some curves and radii. Easy to work by hand from the flat, will be interesting to hear how they go about removing dents which of course mean the metal has stretched.

[PhilkSVR]

The dents are like a thumb print, very small but once you see them, they need dealing with. I am wondering how specialist a job it is to get it looking right. I suppose if you have done a few then you know. Is it a pull or a push

[NDA]

I had a ding on an aluminium panel and it was as good as new after being pushed out.

Not sure where you're based, but I used this chap:

https://www.mydent.co.uk/

[PhilkSVR]

Thanks that makes me feel better. There is some interior trim to come off the boot on the SL which makes it a little more complicated but as long as it comes out then I’m happy.

[Mr Squarekins]

My old i8 with Aluminium bonnet gained a dent from a chunk of wood hitting it at 60mph. Dent devil guy did a first class job. Used a little bit of heat along with the normal kit. Dent totally gone.

[tumble dryer]

I'd echo the same.

GR Yaris. Which a clumsy biker dropped his monster MC against my driver's door in the confined spaces of a ferry. Many crunches as the bike slipped down my driver's door (how to ruin a 'ring trip before even starting!) but, literally, within an hour it was as good as new.

Old bloke who obviously knew his stuff.

[PhilkSVR]

Mr Squarekins said:

My old i8 with Aluminium bonnet gained a dent from a chunk of wood hitting it at 60mph. Dent devil guy did a first class job. Used a little bit of heat along with the normal kit. Dent totally gone.

Did he pull it or push? I gather heat is important as well.

Edited by PhilkSVR on Wednesday 12th February 19:38

[Mr Squarekins]

PhilkSVR said:

Mr Squarekins said:

My old i8 with Aluminium bonnet gained a dent from a chunk of wood hitting it at 60mph. Dent devil guy did a first class job. Used a little bit of heat along with the normal kit. Dent totally gone.

Did he pull it or push? I gather heat is important as well.

Edited by PhilkSVR on Wednesday 12th February 19:38

I think he pushed, but tapped from the outside too. Pretty skilled.

[Skyedriver]

We need this videoing.

[PhilkSVR]

[PhilkSVR]

Well, I thought I would give you some feedback on my aluminium panel repair adventure. The boot lid was complicated because access to the ding was restricted by a metal panel. SL boot lids are complex because they form part of the vario roof. Therefore it would have to be pulled and this may cause lacquer removal in that area which would mean the whole boot lid needs re lacquering. The good thing is that the boot is on original paint, even though it’s 13 years old. The bonnet is a different story with some repainting having been done in the past(not by me) and the quality of that paint is suspect. The ding after an hour of pushing on the bonnet refused to move, so we left it there because heat and further pressure was required which because of the paint job was a risk, so could potentially be left with further costs on top of the dent removal. I am currently investigating what that cost might be with my body shop so I can proceed with my eyes open. I will also ask if they can remove the dents at the same time. The dent removal guy was great and very upfront and honest with me. He charged me nothing for his time. Aluminium is a bugger.

[Iceblue]

PhilkSVR said:

I have a Mercedes SL with aluminium boot and bonnet lids. On both there are very small indentations which I would like to have removed. I have a dent repair guy coming round to have a look, but I wondered if anyone on her had any experience of working with aluminium and how much more difficult it is to rework than normal steel panels.

My Audi RS3 annoyingly suffered a small dent on the motorway middle/front of the aluminium bonnet which as PPF, used a local dent guy I,ve used before who does loads of cars in the trade and he sorted it perfectly in 10mins at a very reasonable £30 he,s being doing it for years and is very experienced.

[PhilkSVR]

Good to hear, I wish mine was that easy.