As some of you know, I took my car in to have it fixed after my garage flooded it full of water. Since the damage was just inside the car, I went to a recommended body shop (thanks Turbo_Pwr!)

Anyway, I had a few unrelated dings, and I asked the guy to give me an estimate on them. He said he could pop them out easy, but it was the painting that would cost me. He said that dentless repair is a no-no, since the paint is messed up (even if not visibly) by the shift in the body panel. He was actually discouraging me from having the work done, since the dents are so minor. Also, he seems like the kind of person that has extremely high standards, so I didn't feel like he was giving me a pitch or just being ignorant.

So, is paintless dent repair a no-no?

 

My last car (Prelude) had paintless dent repair done in 3 different spots because of door dings. One ding was brutal. All 3 repairs were flawless. I knew where to look and could not see a mark after the repairs. I suppose, as with anything, you can get good quality and bad quality.

 

I had a fairly minor ding repaired by a paintless dent repair place about 18 months ago. I couldn't find the spot now if I tried.

I think the concern is about small cracks in the clearcoat that will allow the paint underneath to eventually oxidize. If the clearcoat wasn't damaged by the initial ding, the paintless repair shouldn't damage it either, if done properly. But I have no idea how you could be assured of either of those things.

Maybe someone more knowledgable will chime in...

Good luck,

Ted

 

I had this process done on my black 2001 CL, and I am extremely satisfied with the results. I can't see any down sides to it. The dents on my car were fairly deep, three to be exact, that were caused by some idiot ramming a shopping cart into my rear quarter panel. But after the repair, you can't even tell that it had ever been dented. I highly recommend it.

 

Here is what Larry from Body Werks said about Paintless Dent Removal from an old thread.

As an owner of a body shop and from seeing lomg term results of PDR (paintless dent removal) I DO NOT recomend it.

There are many reasons why PDR is not a good choice.

1- It is not warranteed or approved by most insurance companies.

2- All of you metals corrossion protection is on the under side of the panel. When they use their too;s to repair the dent they actually scratch the protection. Yes the dent will be gone, but eventually it will rust exactly where the dent was.

3- In most cases , even on hoods. They have to drill more holes on the underside just to reach the dents.

4- There is always the chance for them not to beable to get the dent out.

The only good that PDR is good for is if you are selling your car and you want to get the dents out.

Consult a good Body Shop, that is very good at fine detail work and painting.


Sunchild glad you found that shop to your satisfaction. I've heard a lot of good things about them from friends.

 

I had two dings on my old Prelude at delivery, one in a really nasty place (on a crease). The dealer brought in their dent wizard guy and he made the things disappear...literally...couldn't see them any more. I'd be wary of any bodyshop that badmouths a competing product, no matter how upstanding they may be. Besides, who cares if the thing rusts through in 5 years time? Think of the money you saved by not repainting a new car and the aggravation if the paint doesn't match. By the time it rusts, and I'm way from convinced that it will, you will either have sold the car or be more willing to have panels refinished.

 

Hmm...sounds like i'll hold off. i my problem is that the two dents are on either side of the trunk, so if i had it done, the trunk lid would need to be painted, too. sounds like a hassle. these dents aren't so bad. i'll hang onto them until i sell it.

 

Over many years I have had a lot of cars and dents. I can say I have never been disappointed with PDR while most of the conventional repair I have had done, even at the better shops, I had to settle for something less than perfect. NO contest, if a good PDR shop will do it, go for it.

 

Can anyone recommend a place in MD?

Thanks

 

Sweetj,
Go to the "School of Paintless Dent Removal." The owner's name is Jim. He did wonders for my S2K and my friend's RX-7. His new shop is located in Vienna, VA near Tyson's corner.