Rocker dent

steely · 03-21-2011, 05:43 PM

Looks like a PO drove near a rock and gouged the drivers side rocker. I pulled it and the body panel was untouched, but 2 of the 10mm bolt standoffs under the body were pushed back a bit.

Some of the rubberized paint was scratched, but on the whole I just want the dent pushed/hammered out. Would really rather have some place do it, but would they do a small job like that or am I kidding myself?

I know some well intentioned guys will offer that I can do it myself, but it'd involve time, skill and tools I don't have right now.

Car is 'down' for other reasons*, so I thought I would take advantage of the time. (*got screwed by a powder coater midstream during a susp' refresh.)

Thanks tons

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Your going to take the rocker off? oh I guess you did. Is your rocker textured? A lot of shops around here would be happy if I delivered the parts to them for repair..

steely · 03-21-2011, 06:45 PM

yeah, took it off to inspect the underneath - very easy, and the car isn't going anywhere fast (dagnabit). It's textured from the thick rubbery 'paint'.

Just trying to determine what my cost or expectation level should be - seeing as how I recently missed some clues at one shop as to how effin bad they were. (I rescued my parts from them btw)

Can they match a contour easy enough w/o too much concern for an immediate refinish?

Tsunamiboy · Tsunamiboy's Garage

I have found that really good body/paint is going to cost real money. I had both front fenders repainted (two stage GPW) with minor repairs and it cost $1,000 but the color match and finish was PERFECT! They want $250 to repair and repaint one flag mirror.

I got burned big time on a paint/body job on my 914 but it was a good deal. I am not going to live long enough to tolerate another bad paint job. Find a good shop and pay the money, you will not regret getting and excellent paint job.

steely · 03-21-2011, 07:13 PM

I hear you - I don't want a crummy job, but I didn't want it to outshine the rest of the car either.
It's a 20 footer, but the dent just stands out. I was hoping there was some resiliency or forgiveness in the thick paint too. Guess I'll swing by a place and get an estimate when I get a chance.

vulcan300 · 03-21-2011, 08:25 PM

I had a dent in my rocker panel and was able to hammer it out and the end result looked good. I just used a number of pieces of card board as a support and cushion for the front of the rocker panel and tapped away on the back until the dent was smoothed out. Perhaps it is worth a try?

steely · 03-21-2011, 08:51 PM

Yea, if anything it will be therapeutic. This one is a little deep, but WTH. Maybe I will pick up one of those little anvil/dollys. We are talking me into it.

Did yours look similar to this?

and thanks guys.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I have a set or rockers covers with excellent trim if you are interested....no dents or gouges from what I remember....I took mind off when I did my widebody conversion.

drcoastline · 03-22-2011, 04:27 AM

Steely,

Head to Hershey in april there will be several for sale. You can probably buy a used one cheaper then having that one fixed. Then just get it painted. With luck you will find one in the same color.

Kemo · 03-22-2011, 05:59 AM

Check with the salvage/dismantler guys, they may have one already in the correct color. Oklahoma Foreign, Parts Heaven, etc...

steely · 03-22-2011, 03:07 PM

Guys - Thanks for the offers, I think I am going to hold for now, maybe see what I can do, or do as Drcoastline said and keep my eyes open at Hershey. I honestly never thought of replacing it, but who knows.

Thanks again.

vulcan300 · 03-26-2011, 12:45 PM

Mine wasn't quite that dented but you may get good results taking a hammer to it. There really isn't much to lose.

J

Wavey · 03-26-2011, 02:01 PM

You might try a PDR (paintless dent removal) guy - they're good for small jobs like this.

steely · 03-26-2011, 03:05 PM

I have been taking a mallet and piece of wood to it after I cleaned off dirt grime from the interior side. I succeeded in getting some small dents out, so today and shaped the end of a 2x3 with a rasp, and alternating between the basement carpet and wood blocks, I was able to shape it pretty decently.

The longer dents are out, but I have to figure out how to restore the curve/line (side to underneath) without banging on the outside. This isn't that noticeable, but it does affect the angle of 2 of the spade mounts. I'm no pro, but I am satisfied with this, now if I can figure out how to repair the paint scratches, I'll be pretty pleased.

steely · 03-27-2011, 06:28 AM

Can anybody recommend an approach to repairing the paint gouges?
Would a Dr color chip kit be enough?
Dents are out and she is straight, but....
Thanks
forgive me for not posting in the body forum.