Dent on a door...(non C )

[polara71]

Because of the talent and opinions on this board I am asking for honest answers.

A month ago someone backed into our 2010 Challenger and put a dent in the door. Please look at the photos and tell me how you would want to see it repaired......


Replace door.... ( By replacing the door I will no longer the VIN and info sticker on the inside of the door)
Install new door skin
Pop the dents from the inside and fill the crease that is left.
Is there another way ......?

I have my opinion but I may be in the minority on this....



I want to see what the consensus is and I'll post back at the end of the afternoon

 

[cm23uoc]

Is the paint cracked ?
If not, I'd even try an expert dent puller to try to straighten it out, it has to be straightened anyways and choice no. 2 would be if paint is harmed having the original door repainted by a very good painter; I'm always concerned about matching the paint with metallic Jobs especially, rarely been lucky with paintjobs in General, and while I consider this damage minor and easy for any good Body/paint guy, there's so many "professional amateurs" out there who just'll blow it.

 

[Mr C]

I would try the "dent repair" guys. My wife's 2007 Aspen got caught in a hail storm and after the dent repair you would never have known it had over 100 dimples in it at one point.

 

[Big_John]

First I would find out if one of those "paintless" dent removal guys could do anything. Since it's on the body line, they may not be able to, but it's worth a shot.

If it were me, and that didn't work, I'd have the door fixed by a good body shop.

If you really want to change the door or door skin, the VIN and Info stickers are available. http://www.ecsvin.com/

 

[polara71]

Thanks for that link John..................

The paint is not cracked....

 

[cm23uoc]

The Region should be warmed up with that Kind of damage I'd say to make cracking while working on it less likely. Had a guy do a similar spot and it cracked immediately, still I can't prove it wouldn't have happened otherwise.

 

[azblackhemi]

I would not replace the door or even reskin it. If you find a paintless dent repair guy who can do it that would be the best way to go for sure. If they can't then I'd work the dent out from behind use very little filler and replace the stripe. The stripe might be a little different shade or sheen so you might want to restripe the whole side. Good luck Dave.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

Dave, My instincts tell me you're gonna need that door re-painted no matter how you have that "divot" repaired or replaced. Pull it with one of those nail welderz and or ah chisel, hammer, and dolly guy or both. Most body shopz these dayz are R+R fixerz. You've gotta find ah shop that knowz what ah nail welder and hammer and dolly's are and knowz how to use them along with the ability and knowledge to shrink metal. Then hope it'z ah shop that prefers PPG paint.(I think Mother still uses that brand) I'm assuming no note waz left under your wiper blade with apologizes and phone #? G.L. with it Pal, Jer

 

[polara71]

Yes Jer, actually the car was hit by an older lady my wife is friends with. She came in white as a ghost and told my wife what she did.


I am looking with no luck (as we speak) to see how much the paint sells for and how much the stripe is.

 

[detmatt]

Big bummer! I'd go for the least invasive and work your way through the option list from there.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

Well Pilgrim, Sound'z like you live under ah big white fluffy cloud with the sun shinin' thru' and all around?. Figger 150-$175 ah quart for the good PPG stuff and Not their shop brand.(although the shop brand ain't much less) Plus primer, reducer, clear coat, and hardener. It'z been ah year or ah little better since I've invested in PPG, but that'z pretty close. All them car paint companiez have ah nasty habit of upin' their pricez like you and me change our sockz,...BTW You better kiss that LIl' Ole' Lady, Jer

 

[bluefury361]

Yep ...... paint will likely be necessary. I would guess a real pro repair will come in around $800 - 1K.

You could trade it for a newer model ....... Or better yet, another "C".

 

[1978 NYB]

Since I have zero body work skills......

I would get a Formal door, trim it down and hammer it in place, weld it shut. You are still pretty young....hop over the console and get in and out of the passenger door.

 

[1978 NYB]

Yep ...... paint will likely be necessary. I would guess a real pro repair will come in around $800 - 1K.

You could trade it for a newer model ....... Or better yet, another "C".

Yep, Dave would love a Formal....

 

[polara71]

Yep ...... paint will likely be necessary. I would guess a real pro repair will come in around $800 - 1K.

You could trade it for a newer model ....... Or better yet, another "C".

Thanks Will, even though the C7 paint was available again within the past several months and they are still on the lot a new one is not what we want. This one is OUR first new car and hopefully be with us till our dieing days. We like it that much........ AND I do my best to maintain it like no other.

 

[67Monaco]

Beware where you take it. Don't take it lightly. This dent I had originally cost $900 to fix. The body shop that did it screwed up the fix so bad it took $3700 to un-**** it. Sorry for the language but it's the only way to describe it. The initial shop came highly recommended and had a good rep, with the commuter appliance crowd.

 

[polara71]

Body shops are such a hit or miss thing. Even the recommended shops are bad.

 

[chry73luv]

Thanks for that link John..................

The paint is not cracked....

Dave- I have had great luck with using the paintless dent removal guy in our local area. They can work wonders in places you would not think possible. It is worth a try to get an estimate as long as the paint is not broken and even though it is on a body line you might be surprised with what they can do. I even had a couple of dings taken out of my 73 Newport and you can't even tell where they were! Give it a try.

 

[Samplingman]

Shameless plug time, Brooks Autobody on Delsea drive. Ok, it's my brother in laws shop where I worked 30 years ago, LOL, old school, but he uses that paint less dent technique (besides, his name is Dave!). Color matches these days are spot on with the tech they have, no guess work. I used to dread light metallic blues, but now they come out incredible.

Good luck!

 

[polara71]

Where on Delsea? I probably have a place but willing to consider another