Dent & Scratch removal
Discussion
OK, how many of you have reversed very slowly into a space in a car park only to hit one of those metal poles that indicate you have no idea how long far back your car goes? Well, I did and managed to create two very small dents in the bumper which while they could be left are annoying and draw my eye to them everytime I look at any part of the car including the front or interior! 
Has anyone used one of those dent removing/re-painting companies who claim to repair small dents without any signs of having being touched - does it work who are the best, should I go to AFN and be robbed or should I leave it be?
Maybe I should save my money and learn to drive again
Has anyone used one of those dent removing/re-painting companies who claim to repair small dents without any signs of having being touched - does it work who are the best, should I go to AFN and be robbed or should I leave it be?
Maybe I should save my money and learn to drive again
mogul said:
OK, how many of you have reversed very slowly into a space in a car park only to hit one of those metal poles that indicate you have no idea how long far back your car goes?
I confess I did such a thing in Halfords last year... but luckily, I was in the Land Rover at the time and it's fair to say the pole came off considerably worse
Can you repair dents in bumpers? Presumably it's deformable polyurethane or some similar material which doesn't quite reform the same way it started out before the impact.
steve-p said:
I confess I did such a thing in Halfords last year... but luckily, I was in the Land Rover at the time and it's fair to say the pole came off considerably worse
Can you repair dents in bumpers? Presumably it's deformable polyurethane or some similar material which doesn't quite reform the same way it started out before the impact.
I think it needs a small amount of filler and then some paint.
My main concern is that if I let anyone loose on my 70k car are they going to f#ck it up?
I had the same on my 993, everytime I looked at the back of the car it was the only thing I could see!
I took my car to two OPC and one good independent paint shops, and was told exactly the same story. The PU is deformable and as such cant really be filled sucessfully. Some back street places will have a go but it is not really a good solution.
I am afraid its live with it, or replace it! I know PDC doesnt look very good on 996 and Boxster, but it sure does work!
I took my car to two OPC and one good independent paint shops, and was told exactly the same story. The PU is deformable and as such cant really be filled sucessfully. Some back street places will have a go but it is not really a good solution.
I am afraid its live with it, or replace it! I know PDC doesnt look very good on 996 and Boxster, but it sure does work!
david hype said:
I took my car to two OPC and one good independent paint shops, and was told exactly the same story. The PU is deformable and as such cant really be filled sucessfully. Some back street places will have a go but it is not really a good solution.
So is that a no go then?
Dent removal on metal panels usually involves the metal being manipulated from behind, depending how skilled the man doing it is the results can be very good, however you can be left with a series of small "tapping marks" where a tool like a screw driver (with a rounded blunt end) is used to strike the painted side of the dent if the metal has been stretched too far ......best way is to ask a prestige car dealership who they use.
As for bumpers filling and painting usually only option, but not allways 100%.
mogul said:
I took my car to two OPC and one good independent paint shops, and was told exactly the same story. The PU is deformable and as such cant really be filled sucessfully. Some back street places will have a go but it is not really a good solution.
So is that a no go then?
Hey, look on the bright side! At least the rear PU on a 996 is only £290 plus VAT, I`m looking at £450 plus VAT on a 993!
Got to get it painted and fitted though...
I have a friend who repairs cracked PUs, scratches, fabric damage/burns. He's a real artist and does work for most of the main dealers in North Essex. He repaired a nasty gouge in the A pillar of my 964 (thanks Autoglass!) and numerous stonechips on the bonnet without the need to repaint the whle panel. Result was totally invisible.
What he doesn't do is remove dents from metal. The guys that do this are artists as well - I've watched them and have never seen one leave any marks whatsoever. If the dent is old they will warn you that the "memory" effect of the metal may have reduced and you could run the risk that the dent won't disappear 100%, but again, this is a rarity.
I had 3 dents removed, 2 on the curve of my 911's door and one on the curve of the front wing just behind the headlamp ring. Two of the dents were old and the headlight one was a really awkward repair. Needless to say the job was invisible. I used "Dentmaster" for that.
That's the good news, the bad news is that these are franchises and there are some monkeys out there. The key is recommendation and client list really.
Going rate for paint & PU repair? £50 a mark (or series of marks if it's just stonechips). The paint match is achieved by consulting charts and weighing each element of the colour out. The fabric repairs are achieved by using matching colour fibres and blowing them onto the damaged area over a covering of glue. All clever stuff.
Naturally, your OPC will offer this service but put their mark-up on top of the franchisee they use. If you do use them you will have a comeback if dissatisfied of course.
if they say it cant be repaired, look up the likes of "Paintechnique" or "Chipsaway" on the net for your nearest expert and contact them, but bear in mind that that their track record is important - if they tell you they do work for a local dealer, call that dealer up to check they are good.
What he doesn't do is remove dents from metal. The guys that do this are artists as well - I've watched them and have never seen one leave any marks whatsoever. If the dent is old they will warn you that the "memory" effect of the metal may have reduced and you could run the risk that the dent won't disappear 100%, but again, this is a rarity.
I had 3 dents removed, 2 on the curve of my 911's door and one on the curve of the front wing just behind the headlamp ring. Two of the dents were old and the headlight one was a really awkward repair. Needless to say the job was invisible. I used "Dentmaster" for that.
That's the good news, the bad news is that these are franchises and there are some monkeys out there. The key is recommendation and client list really.
Going rate for paint & PU repair? £50 a mark (or series of marks if it's just stonechips). The paint match is achieved by consulting charts and weighing each element of the colour out. The fabric repairs are achieved by using matching colour fibres and blowing them onto the damaged area over a covering of glue. All clever stuff.
Naturally, your OPC will offer this service but put their mark-up on top of the franchisee they use. If you do use them you will have a comeback if dissatisfied of course.
if they say it cant be repaired, look up the likes of "Paintechnique" or "Chipsaway" on the net for your nearest expert and contact them, but bear in mind that that their track record is important - if they tell you they do work for a local dealer, call that dealer up to check they are good.
I used Dent Wizard to remove two fairly severe dent/gouges in passenger door of my wife's fiesta. It was at the top part of the door close to the mirror where the contour of the panel made it difficult to get at. The local body shop quoted £260+ vat to repair - Dent wizard took 3 hours & £100 cash and did a perfect repair job on a metallic finish.
He came to my place of work and repaired the car in the car park - and got another £500 worth of biz from folks seeing him doing the work on my car.
Dent wizard also do work for thr local Merc Dealer.
>> Edited by toby tucker on Friday 19th March 13:19
He came to my place of work and repaired the car in the car park - and got another £500 worth of biz from folks seeing him doing the work on my car.
Dent wizard also do work for thr local Merc Dealer.
>> Edited by toby tucker on Friday 19th March 13:19
I've used the local Chips Away franchise (I'm just north of St Albans) and 3 years ago I was charged £100 for the first and a lot less for second and subsequent minor dings.
Results? well on a black car the gloss was not consistent between the new and original paint (though it was on a brand new car) and there was a halo of slight matt around the repair which I never felt happy with no matter how much polish or cut.
As to the PU and whether you can get little kinks out I think the careful application of some warmth may do it. Probably too risky to use a heat gun but maybe a hair dryer will help together with a little finger pressure either side of the crease once warm.
Good luck,
Guy.
Results? well on a black car the gloss was not consistent between the new and original paint (though it was on a brand new car) and there was a halo of slight matt around the repair which I never felt happy with no matter how much polish or cut.
As to the PU and whether you can get little kinks out I think the careful application of some warmth may do it. Probably too risky to use a heat gun but maybe a hair dryer will help together with a little finger pressure either side of the crease once warm.
Good luck,
Guy.
glpinxit said:
As to the PU and whether you can get little kinks out I think the careful application of some warmth may do it. Probably too risky to use a heat gun but maybe a hair dryer will help together with a little finger pressure either side of the crease once warm.
Good luck,
Guy.
Careful! I accidently applied a little heat to my rear PU (supplied by my overly hot engine an exhausts) about six weeks ago.
It melted it in two places!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff