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[jerry]

just prior to xmas gone some kind person put a dent/crease in the rear offside panel just below the light cluster. It was too deep to push out without cracking the paint and maybe wouldnt pop out anyway so, based on cost, I figured I'd just have to live with it. Sadly, ive just noticed that on one end of the crease there is the dreaded bubbling / blistering. Does this mean a new rear quarter panel or do I have any other cheaper options? the crease is about 6" long. Any ideas welcome guys. thanks

[geoffr70]

Hi, just a thought, could you not pop it out the best you can then take it to car and bike magic, or source a same colour one from scrapyard/ebay/OOF.

[Tony H]

Can you post up a photo?

[jerry]

will try and get photo sorted as i know its hard to describe so perhaps difficult for people to comment . All I can say is that when it happened I had my neighbour who is training to do bodywork repairs have a look but he said he didnt think it would push out as it was too deep and certainly I cant get it out . Just such a pain now that it looks like the dreaded rust will start.

[Tony H]

If it cant be pushed out it may be able to be filled which would be a hell of a lot cheaper and a lot less work than replacing the whole panel

[jerry]

yep Tony, those are the words I like "a lot less work" and "a lot cheaper" Problem is that I think its too big to fill and how long would it last? Methinks a trip to a couple of body repair shops is in order. Its just that the ones near me that Ive heard good things about are linked to dealer garages and are therefore pretty extortionate so theres a trust factor with the smaller ones as well as a cost one :-/

[holtender]

I don't think they even teach apprentices how to bump out a dent these days, it is a lost art form.

Panels are just replaced, which I find very sad.

With the right tools and know-how any dent can be repaired and brought back to it's original shape.

[jerry]

I don't think they even teach apprentices how to bump out a dent these days, it is a lost art form.

Panels are just replaced, which I find very sad.

With the right tools and know-how any dent can be repaired and brought back to it's original shape.

Id like to think so! Will have to explore the possibilities. Think a new panel is out down to cost and not too keen on filler, but we'll see.

[Bionic]

Jerrty is bang on - old time body builders and panel beaters could work miracles with the right tools. It is a sad idicment of the lack of skills of todays repairers. Have a go and see what you can do yourself, you may be surprised. The method of getting a dent out that is hard to reach is to copy the body shops and use a dent 'puller'. That is a sliding hammer with a self tapping screw at the business end. Drill a small pilot hole in the deepest part of the dent and then screw in the dent puller. A few sharp goes with the slide and it usually has a large effect. If you don't have a sliding hammer then a large self tapper and a pair of vice grips can emulate it. Whatever you decide on there will be filler used, even with a new panel!
All pulling the dent out first will do is to lessen the amount of filler used. Use abrasive paper on the filler until it near the shape required then pop it to sprayer to finish off. That is the method I have used for years and always with a decent ending.
GudLuk

[unlucky mark mv6]

Exactly as bionic said jerry,the closer you can get the dent beck to its original shape,the less filler you"ll need,so in theory,depending on your panel beating skills,you should only require a very fine skim of filler.

[belldarr]

Find an independant local body shop and discuss the options with them - from the sound of it you need to find one that has a jig, not as extreme as it sounds as they will clamp the car onto the jig so that is cannot move and then use a ram to gently pull the panel back into it's original position - then you can fill and prepare the panel damage and paint.

If your paying cash you may get it slightly cheaper.

I use a firm near me I have dealt with for years for all my body repairs and I get a rate of £20 per hour for labour as a rough guide.

They used to have a fantastic panel beater as well and he saved a lot of panels on an Aston DB7 I was having repaired from a vary hard front end shunt - sadly he has retired now and no-one else has been able to replace him

Darren

[holtender]

A Jig would never be needed when repairing simple panel damage.

This idea that all repairs will need filler is also wrong, it is possible to get a metal finish on any dent .

By that I mean the dent is returned to it's correct original shape.

An old Body Shop guy I once knew, created a bonnet for a car using two sheets of steel, he used rolling machines and all kinds of long lost skills.

[Broomies Mate]

A Jig would never be needed when repairing simple panel damage.

This idea that all repairs will need filler is also wrong, it is possible to get a metal finish on any dent .

By that I mean the dent is returned to it's correct original shape.

An old Body Shop guy I once knew, created a bonnet for a car using two sheets of steel, he used rolling machines and all kinds of long lost skills.

I agree!

I doubt many BodyShop staff even know what an English Wheel looks like, let alone be able to use one.

Generally speaking though, from a cost POV, you are better off 'RockSpot' the crease and pull it to where it looks nearly right, then a light skim of filler, especially in an area where it is difficult/impossible to get to both sides of the panel.

[Tony H]

yep Tony, those are the words I like "a lot less work" and "a lot cheaper" Problem is that I think its too big to fill and how long would it last? Methinks a trip to a couple of body repair shops is in order. Its just that the ones near me that Ive heard good things about are linked to dealer garages and are therefore pretty extortionate so theres a trust factor with the smaller ones as well as a cost one :-/

I worked as an auto refinisher a long time ago so was trained with the knowledge to repair as opposed to replace body panels if you post a photo i'll be able to advise

[holtender]

The first rule of Autobody repair is to work out which way the impact went in and then follow that same  angle when you are pulling or pushing it out!

This might sound stupid, but think about it and it makes perfect sense.

 I have often stood and looked at crashed cars for some time and then worked out which angle the impact came in at, then you know how to start pulling or pushing it back.