repairing bent rocker panel trim

oly · oly's Garage

Has anyone successfully repaired a bent rocker panel (side skirts) by bending it back into its original shape? If so, how did you do it?

I want the panel to look undamaged unless you were looking at it really closely (from ~6 inches). It seems like in this case bending it back would probably work. But it will probably require a wooden form to help get the right shape.

This picture shows the damaged panel. The damaged section is between my thumb and pinky.

For reference Porsche calsl the panels "trim" and the part numbers are:
Left 911 559 047 01
Right 911 559 048 01

Dpmulvan · 10-25-2015, 01:59 PM

A hammer and dolly would make quick work of it

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

Your thumb... it's huge.

oly · oly's Garage

Dpmulvan,

I assume that means hammer and dolly follow by a repaint. Is what you are thinking?

oly · oly's Garage

McLaren-TAG,

Yes, I was the hand model for the thumbs up and down icon...

geoff_k · geoff_k's Garage

with a thumb like that, cant you just press it back into shape?

oly · oly's Garage

Why didn't I think of that?

wayne robson · wayne robson's Garage

Oly, this may help you, a photo of 4 dollys i have had for years ,
for doing odd jobs on classics, a good quility hammer with slight curve in the
head surface an old piece of leather is also handy.This is used for the painted side,
But it takes a few years experience to be able to do it with out requiring paint.

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

Oly, it's cool that you've got a sense of humor. I have solidarity with you on the bent rocker. I had a similar issue but mine was more of a long arc than a dent. I simply manhandled it as straight as I could and just lived with it. It's 80% of the way back but not really visible unless you're looking for it.