Repairing a dent DIY

[Byard]

Hi, I want to repair a dent about the size of a golf ball (paint isn't broken) on the tailgate of my VTS.

Iv'e never done any bodywork before so I was wondering about the best way to go about repairing it? Hitting it (gently) from the inside so it levels it up? Or using one of those sucker type things? Or just filling it in, sanding it over, primer and spray in silver?

Thanks

[Byard]

Anyone?

[DrTre]

Vid showing you how it's done

[aka_kerrly]

If it accessible from behind it is better to push a dent out than pull it.

if its on a flat part of the boot lid it should be reasonably straight forward, what you need is a chunk of soft wood which is level/square, a rubber mallet and its usally helpful if you gentle heat the panel first as it makes the paint a bit more stretchy and the metal easier to work with. You could be lucky and find 1 tap "pops" the dent out but keep the block on the outside to stop you from pushing the dent too far out

dave

[Liquid Knight]

Could try this.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9n0kEXL-sw

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Get one of those suction cup things...a bit like the things you use to attach say-navs to windscreen, but you can buy stronger ones (Saturday market tool stalls have them, maybe other DIY stores, I got mine from Poundland etc)
Attach it over the dent and pull.
Job done.
This will only work 100% if the metal isn't creased though.

[Byard]

I have a few dings actually so would filler be the best option? Paint flaked off and rusted quite badly.

Thanks

[GPT]

I used a device called a Ding King to remove a cricket ball dent from the wing of my car. Not 100% perfect but you have to know where it was to spot it now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JGXbIfeuRY

[Weso]

I would seriouisly discourage someone with no bodywork experience from trying to remove dents, as I would pretty much gaurantee you'll make it look worse.
Just find a decent PDR guy in your area and get them to do it.
Round here they charge £30 upwards per panel.
Wes