Some kind soul has put a dent in my car and driven off. There’s no paint damage, but there is a roughly 90cm^2 dent above the wheel arch. Is it worth me trying to push the dent out myself, or is it a job for the garage or some special service? I see dentmaster come up when I search for paintless dent removal. Are they worth using?
We need a picture.
To laugh at my misfortune or...
Either way...
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If it doesn't have any big creases then there's no harm in trying it yourself, would be fairly easy if you could get access to the rear of the panel. Best to try when it's warmer or after heating the area slightly to ensure the paint is as pliable as possible and won't crack.
But... I had a similar size dent previously that wouldn't pop out, I would push it out from behind but it would just pop back to its dented position.
Depending on how much you like your car I’d get a specialist in. If you have a go yourself then decide to use a paint less dent removal person you might have ruined their chances of ever getting it out. I’d be getting a quote before trying myself. Some of the stuff I’ve seen them get out is incredible
I’ve added a picture. It’s not terrible, but I do like my car. First one I’ve ever bought so it’s a bit sad that someone just smacked it and buggered off.
I bought a kit with a load of glue on tabs and different tips for the hammer. Worked ok on the rear dent next to the badge. Wouldn't recommend for a total novice (still count myself as one) in a more obvious place like a wing. If it won't come out with gentle encouragement from behind (oo-er!) Then off to the pros. That is if you actually need/want it repaired. In not a pristine machine then have at it.
Had a couple of similar dents taken out of my car recently by a local specialist and are now perfect. Was impressed. Cost £50 and £60 per dent.
I had a dent like that, dent guy came out for 60 quid and removed it. Totally impressed, looks like new
I'd have a go myself but your car is a lot nicer than anything I've ever owned. One for the professionals, as others have said it's easy to make it a lot worse.
@curiousyellow Call Elite Car Care in Maidenhead. They'll have that looking like new.
I've used them on a couple of cars and the quality of their work is fantastic.
@notmyrealname Cheers, they’re not too far away from me. If they’re mobile and allowed to work during lockdown, then it may work!
It’s not one of those things that “sets in” when they’re left too long are they? I’ve also put in for a quote from the local Chips Away person on someone else’s advice.
Leaving it for a while shouldn't be an issue. I'd personally go for Elite over Chips Away every time. I've seen some work done by a Chips Away guy before and it really wasn't good at all.
Cheers. I’ll keep that in mind. If I can wait until after lockdown, then I may just do that and go to Maidenhead instead.
Always wanted to see if this really worked. I guess a floor tile remover would work too
I’ve got a plunger, might be worth a go 😀
Sorry OP, in Exeter. You’re bound to have someone near you, sure you’ll get it sorted.
Well, Chips Away came back with a price that’s not far off what it costs to replace an entire panel. Is the premium for being a mobile service that high?
I’ve got a plunger, might be worth a go 😀
You may jest, but my tame mechanic had a suction cup for exactly this purpose (and thanks to him, I do too). They're supposed to be for carrying big panes of glass.
That looks to me like it'd pull straight out no messing, but as others have said it depends how much you value your motor as to whether I'd be attempting a DIY job or not. From what you've posted so far it sounds like you'd be best advised to be Getting A Man In rather than potentially making it worse.
If I had a pound for every time someone had come to me describing a computer problem, I'm listening thinking "easy, well known problem, 30 seconds of a fix" and then they've continued "so I did this, that and the other, reinstalled Windows, turned the printer upside-down, bought a new fridge, set fire to the cat and basically created an afternoon's worth of unnecessary work" then I'd have a number of pounds.
Odd-shaped dent, erm, inci-dent-ally. Football or someone's hoof rather than another car? Are you parking outside a curtain-twitcher's house?
Ha! If only! Happened during the food shop.
My money’s on someone in a Chelsea Tractor reversing into it. It’s around that height. Ironically, I always park as far away from the main car park when I go food shopping because I’ve had this happen to me once before. Last time it was the other side. At least this time, they’ve not gone into the bloody headlight. That would have been a lot more annoying.
I’m tempted to try it myself, but like you say, I don’t want to just make the problem worse. Depending on the other quote I get back I may or may not have a go myself. I’ve been after an excuse to buy a heat gun. It’ll come in handy when I do the decorating I guess.
Chips away are not a paintless dent removal company. They will fill it and paint the wing. That colour looks a possible pain to match too. You need to look for dent devils or a local similar company
Well, Chips Away came back with a price that’s not far off what it costs to replace an entire panel. Is the premium for being a mobile service that high?
Was he called Mark?
Disasters of repairs with Chipsaway. Even their bodyshop in Reading screwed my car up after the mobile guy painted my car. Car was painted 5 times in the end and its not great.
Its not as simple as it looks to get that right. Yes anyone with glue tabs can get the worst out ( i know I have the kit) but you will have raised crowns on the edge of the dent which will need massaging into the surround steel. Get a proper PDR job done. It shoudn't be too expensive to fix.
A trusted local pdr repair bod, its like watching witchcraft, really impressive and skillfull the guy who did mine, expect a wait good ones are in high demand, with dealers and such
@bigyim have you used the company in your link? They’re local to me, so I may be able to.
@sparkyrhini I watched one in the Scotty Kilmer channel. It looked a bit like dowsing for water 😮
Would it be worth ringing a few car dealers to ask who they use?
I've used a mobile company called Dentmaster a few times, they're nationwide I think.
They were excellent and very reasonably priced.
No I haven’t. Just did a quick google and they have good reviews
Local PDR person’s quote is half that of Chips Away. Wonder why there’s such a massive difference.
Probably a bit far from you, but the Dent Devils guy in Guildford did a very tidy repair on a dent on my car. I collected a nearly new car from a dealer about 200 miles away, only to find it had a small but noticeable dent on one of the panels. The garage arranged for the local Dent Devils guy to come to my house to repair.
I was very impressed with his work, and no evidence left that there was ever a dent in the panel. The dealer paid directly for the repair, but I don’t think it was that expensive.
I'd be less worried about the dent and more worried about the detached foot they've left embedded in the bumper!
My cover story is blown, so I’ll come clean. Shortly after the dent, I began digging a new patio.
Look for a local company - they work magic - I watched how the guy did it. No painting, propper shopping trolly sharp dents removed. That should carefully press out.
Check who the local dealers employ - they get these guys in on their used cars.