Dent repair

I've got a smallish dent in a wheel arch on my car. Would it be easier to get a body shop to try and knock it out, or get some of that polymer filler, and respray?

If the latter, can anyone recommend a product for the enthusiastic amateur?

Ta.

Is the paint visibly damaged? If not, and if the dent is not on an awkward edge, then you might be able to knock/suck it out. Try googling for paintless dent repair OR removal.

Is the paint visibly damaged? If not, and if the dent is not on an awkward edge, then you might be able to knock/suck it out. Try googling for paintless dent repair OR removal.

There's no paint left on the dent, the impact took care of that. A bit of rust has started to form, so I guess I ought to do something soon!?

The car's not worth that much anymore, so in reality I'm erring towards the DIY option, so more looking for product recommendations if someone's had prior experience of this sort of thing?

There's no paint left on the dent, the impact took care of that. A bit of rust has started to form, so I guess I ought to do something soon!?

 

The car's not worth that much anymore, so in reality I'm erring towards the DIY option, so more looking for product recommendations if someone's had prior experience of this sort of thing?

You could possibly get a replacement panel cheap from a scrap yard. You might even get lucky and get it in the correct colour so no need to respray.

It sounds like a bit more than a "pop out" job. If it isn't double skinned you should be able to carefully tap it out yourself. Take care not to stretch the metal any more than it might be. It takes a professional to be able to shrink the metal back if stretched.

Do not have a go yourself unless you're particularly skilled or aren't worried about the quality of the finish!

It's an 03 MGZS so probably not worth the sum of it's parts anymore, so the finish isn't critical.

Money's a bit tight at the moment, so I was kind of hoping to avoid having to go to a specialist, though I suppose I could rust proof it until I've got the money. Anyone got any idea how much a body shop would charge to knock out a small dent and touch it up?

It's an 03 MGZS so probably not worth the sum of it's parts anymore, so the finish isn't critical.

 

Money's a bit tight at the moment, so I was kind of hoping to avoid having to go to a specialist, though I suppose I could rust proof it until I've got the money. Anyone got any idea how much a body shop would charge to knock out a small dent and touch it up?

Just a couple of hours labour will be over £100

Just a couple of hours labour will be over £100

I suppose if it's not much over £100, it won't cost much more than to buy all the bits and pieces to do it myself!

What colour is it? If it's one of the metallics or the silver it will look sh** if you attempt it yourself. If it's the blue, red or yellow you might stand a chance. The key to a decent repair is all in the prep. Spend as long as you can rubbing back the filled repair with ever-increasing wet or dry grades until it's as smooth as, then rub back multiple primer levels, then rub back multiple paint coats, then laquer. It's still going to look dog rough though - probably.

What colour is it? If it's one of the metallics or the silver it will look sh** if you attempt it yourself. If it's the blue, red or yellow you might stand a chance. The key to a decent repair is all in the prep. Spend as long as you can rubbing back the filled repair with ever-increasing wet or dry grades until it's as smooth as, then rub back multiple primer levels, then rub back multiple paint coats, then laquer. It's still going to look dog rough though - probably.

It is metallic, so I think you might have just put the final nail in the DIY coffin

Out of interest, how much would a full respray cost nowadays, including all the prep work?

Under £1500 and it'll be crap.

As in, if you can find somewhere that will do it for under £1500 quid it will be a crap job.

Under £1500 and it'll be crap.

 

As in, if you can find somewhere that will do it for under £1500 quid it will be a crap job.

Jeez! That's a lot of cash Ponty.

What about someone who can do a really good T-Cut and polish job, what would that cost? I think there is a new term for it that the youngsters use nowadays though.

Jeez! That's a lot of cash Ponty.

 

What about someone who can do a really good T-Cut and polish job, what would that cost? I think there is a new term for it that the youngsters use nowadays though.

Most bodyshops and some carwash/valet places will do a "mop job". It's basically a deep polish and paint restorer applied and buffed with an electric mop. It will restore the colour and lustre of old, faded paint but it will only be temporary. You can prolong the effect with regular polishing of your own afterwards. The last time I had it done it was £40, but that was a few years ago. The results lasted about 2 summer months without any follow up from me. This was a Mk2 MR2 which was supposed to be red but had sun-faded to a delicate shade of pink.

Detailing? Is that what you mean Ponty? It just came to me, and I have found a couple of local (Soton) companies who I might contact for a quote next week. I will report back for others reference.

btw, nought wrong with pink cars mate.

nought wrong with pink cars mate. Yea right IF YOU ARE A BIG GIRL

nought wrong with pink cars mate. Yea right IF YOU ARE A BIG GIRL

Oh dear. You poor Kiwis have a lot of catching up to do re being comfortable with your sexuality, don't you. Would you prefer a brown one. :smt055

Actually any colour but pink. I hate pink even more than Pompey blue