Front Fender Dented!! Possible DIY, or shop in SE MI?

MindtrapX · MindtrapX's Garage

Hey all, Some Wonderful person figured it was okay to swing thier door open & leave me a gift of a dent on the front drivers side fender. Unfortunatly, they were not kind enough to leave a card with this gift... Needless to say, I am quite unhappy about the situation... I have a Very low tolrenace for inconsiderate people. Can't believe it only took about 4 months of ownership before someone had to do something stupid.

I have been searching while I have been out of town all week, and haven't found much info on this. My problem is that at the dent, the fold underneth is slightly bent... If I pull the front tire, what are my chances of being able to get it straightened out? It was obviously hit pretty solid, as I have to fix a bit of paint as well.

If this isn't something that I can take care of myself, does anyone know of someplace in or around Oakland county to have this looked at? ALso, any idea on approx fost of repair?

Thanks in advance for any info!

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

You can look for a paintless dent repair shop, or you can unbolt the front fender and pound back the dent from the backside of the fender. The front fenders are bolted on.

DW SD · 03-19-2009, 05:05 PM

The first person I'd have look at it is a paintless dent removal guy (or gal). They've done some amazing work for me.

Even if you have to touch up some paint, it can be tough to match just one fender.

Doug

Dantilla · 03-19-2009, 05:09 PM

I'm amazed what a friend who does paintless dent repair can do. He loves tackling jobs other guys say can't be done.

He made a football-sized dent in my truck's door disappear.

Zeke · 03-19-2009, 05:12 PM

Show pics of the dent.

MindtrapX · MindtrapX's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

You can look for a paintless dent repair shop, or you can unbolt the front fender and pound back the dent from the backside of the fender. The front fenders are bolted on.

With any luck, this will work... I'll have a look on Saturday.

Milt - I will snap a few pictures tomorrow when I get home. Prob should have waited to post, but I've been thinking about it all week... Figured someone may have some ideas.

MindtrapX · MindtrapX's Garage

Here are a couple pics. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

rick-l · 03-20-2009, 03:21 PM

That crease is going to make it a little more difficult.

You could join autobody101 forum or the auto body forum here and go step by step.

p.s. let us know in this thread if you do. I love to watch.

MindtrapX · MindtrapX's Garage

Good pull the wheel off tomorrow & see what we can do. Hopefully someone will have some pointers. I will check out the other forum & see what I can dig up... Thanks!

pozee · 03-20-2009, 04:52 PM

Unfortunately, that's not a paintless dent removal job. Unless you have experience, get a pro to take care of that. I'm thinking $300 - $500 done right.

Cattler · Cattler's Garage

That's not just a simple oops dent, that's criminal.

boxster03 · 03-20-2009, 06:28 PM

go to a breaker yard and see if they have a nice condition black match fender and see if you can just do a swap.

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

Pretty sweet looking bug. I agree with the above it looks like about a three hundred dollar deal,

MindtrapX · MindtrapX's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cattler

That's not just a simple oops dent, that's criminal.

I agree. I was Hot when I first saw it, but nothin I can do but get her fixed. All I know is that the car was white... I have No idea when it could have happened...? I'll get her fixed up good as new. Lesson learned, don't park within a 1/2 mile from the closest car, and next to a curb on one side if possible.

Just the thought of the person doing this makes me a bit sick. They had to have noticed...

herr_oberst · 03-20-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindtrapX

Just the thought of the person doing this makes me a bit sick. They had to have noticed...

Had to have noticed? If that's a door ding they had to have tried!

Feeling your mad, brother.

AndyK! · 03-20-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindtrapX

I have No idea when it could have happened...?

This might be a case of anti-foreign car resentment, which is very strong in SE Michigan.This past November, about a half dozen foreign cars parked at Lakeside Mall in Macomb had their tires slashed. I never had my car vandalized when I lived in MI and drove foreign cars, but I did get my share of comments and the occasional "flip of the bird". Good luck with the repair.

Chuck Jones · 03-20-2009, 09:59 PM

That's no inadvertant door opening....either the guy/gal was pissed at you or it was something other than a door. That dent took some force behind it. I agree that this is no dent removal project....this is going to require body work and a repaint of that area.

911nut · 911nut's Garage

Kevin, seeing that really pisses me off and it isn't even my car!

This is an example of why my car never sees a parking lot!
I use Sports Car Collision in Ferndale for my paint work but I know it's a ways from White Lake.

MotoSook · 03-21-2009, 06:31 AM

I've seen a dent guy fix something worst than that on a BMW. You have the cracked and flaked paint issue, but you should be able to touch it up and then sand down the touch up paint level with the native paint.

Google your area for dent removal guys.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Tab Tanner in Findlay, OH (Autobahn Garage) knows a great "painless dent" guy and he took a huge dent out of my rear fender last spring that several other guys told me was "impossible". It's definitely worth the 75 mile drive to Tab's shop!