Dent repair

[jwgn777]

What do all of you think of paint less dent repair? Even though I am capable of doing all the repair and paint work the traditional way I am not really up to it now. I got an estimate of $550. for the entire vehicle. I would say there is at least 5 dings to correct on this Boxster..I figure to cost of materials would cost me at least $270. - 450 if I was to do the whole vehicle myself Plus my labor.

[Steve Carlton]

I think it's the way to go, as it preserves the original paint. I'd say the most important thing to do is make sure you're dealing with an excellent technician- this will ensure he can get at everything that's possible and do it so you can't tell it's been done.

[NY65912]

I had it done on my black 911 and it he little crease is absolutley impossible to find.
A good mechanic can do miracles.

[dan88911]

+1 more on the paint less dent repair.
As Steve said, " make sure you're dealing with an excellent technician"

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Very, very limited. Basically if it's anything that's deformed the sheet metal past the elastic limit of deformation those guys won't touch it and just say "you need to go to a body shop" (where you'll get soaked). I have yet to see any one of those guys live up to their hype and self-promotional BS first-hand. They probably exist, but I've not had any luck first-hand after several inquiries over the years.

[David McLaughlin]

We used a Dent Wizard guy at the last body shop I worked at. He would come in snd take care of all the minor stuff then we would take over on the rest. The guy we used was good and quick... though he did accidently shatter the window in my Mini doing one of my dings.

[Chocaholic]

If they are typical door dings as you suggest, paintless is the way to go. Have had very good experience.

[stomachmonkey]

My Mazda 3 got golf balled in a hail storm. $3500 in damage.

There is one spot on the roof that I can pick out. Spot is flat but the paint, metallic, looks rotated if that makes sense. Something about the way the flakes are arranged.

But if you did not know to look for it you'd never see it.

My only beef is the tech broke a bunch of interior panel fasteners in the trunk so some of panels now make a slight noise.

Need to pick some up and replace.

Overall impressed with what they can do.

[porsche4life]

A good PDR guy can work miracles. But it takes a long time to learn and get good at it. Some guys will try to slam dunk a bunch of dents in a day, and some will take their time and not screw up your car and get it looking new again. Guess which guy you want?

A friend of my dads learned to do it a few years ago and he is very detail oriented. He has developed the reputation that he won't do hail, but if you get a new caddy dented, he's the guy.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

My Mazda 3 got golf balled in a hail storm. $3500 in damage.

There is one spot on the roof that I can pick out. Spot is flat but the paint, metallic, looks rotated if that makes sense. Something about the way the flakes are arranged.

But if you did not know to look for it you'd never see it.

My only beef is the tech broke a bunch of interior panel fasteners in the trunk so some of panels now make a slight noise.

Need to pick some up and replace.

Overall impressed with what they can do.

My old Honda went through a hail storm and looked like someone had taken a ball peen hammer to it. My insurance company wanted to total it. I had a PDR guy work on it and I could not tell that it had ever been touched. Every singly dent gone - I was amazed!

[jwgn777]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

My Mazda 3 got golf balled in a hail storm. $3500 in damage.

There is one spot on the roof that I can pick out. Spot is flat but the paint, metallic, looks rotated if that makes sense. Something about the way the flakes are arranged.

But if you did not know to look for it you'd never see it.

My only beef is the tech broke a bunch of interior panel fasteners in the trunk so some of panels now make a slight noise.

Need to pick some up and replace.

Overall impressed with what they can do.

You say the flakes in the paint looks rearranged, It sounds like they went through the clear coat while buffing the paint. That's is what concerns me. But it looks like I am going to go ahead with this work.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by jwgn777

You say the flakes in the paint looks rearranged, It sounds like they went through the clear coat while buffing the paint. That's is what concerns me. But it looks like I am going to go ahead with this work.

No, clear is fine.

You can only see it under the right lighting and from one angle.

For all I know it could have been an imperfection in the original paint job that I never noticed, never had a reason to scrutinize it that closely.

[jwgn777]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

No, clear is fine.

You can only see it under the right lighting and from one angle.

For all I know it could have been an imperfection in the original paint job that I never noticed, never had a reason to scrutinize it that closely.

If you have to look very hard to see an imperfection then I guess they did a good job.

[jwgn777]

I stayed away from the bigger businesses such as Dent doctor and went with a independent operator. It was tough to decide who to use with out actually having someone else with a positive recommendation. With that said I can say that I was satisfied with the work on my Boxster and while he was finished with my 986 I had him correct a small ding in the door of my 996 making the vehicle dent less (for now). I will probably use him again and recommend him to any one in the NY area.