Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

[G DANE]

Someone gave my darkblue Volvo Stationwaggon an ugly door dent. I am not paranoid about this car, but I like it and my wife and I cared for it for 6 and a half years now. It only has few not noticeable dents and scratches. This is worse. The dealer advised me to call our kind of "dentbusters" and they quoted to fix it for 125$. No paint job needed afterwards. I just had the thought - couldnt I do this myselves as well ?? Anyone tried ?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

I think it's like accupuncture, G Dane. Any one could do it if you knew where to stick the needles.<br /><br />I know they make kits that you can buy and they probably come with instructions. I do know you need to be carefull or you'll crack the paint. I'd be inclined to want to see it done before I'd try it myself. If it has an actual crease or the beginning of one, I'd especially want the pro to try it.<br /><br />Or you could buy a tool and walk around a salvage yard looking for victims to practice on.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

an ugly door dent.

No Problem..............<br /><br />Remove the Inside Stuff....... Door Handles, Upholstery, etc.........<br />Reach in thru whatever avenues you can make, with a block of Wood, Steel bar, Etc., <br />And with a BFH, Beat the Dent Out......................... <br /><br />You'll no doubt have to Beat some of the areas back In, after you've beat them Out enough........... <br />Back,+ Forth, till it's where You want it.............<br /><br />A little plastic body filler,+ You'll be ready for Paint................

 

[G DANE]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

Thanks for the encouragement. Dentbusters actually said they could fix it, no problem, but I guess what you mean is my fixing would need a paint job ?? Is it that hard ?

 

[JB]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

I have a dent puller that looks like a giant suction cup. Had it for many years and don't remember where I got it.<br /><br />If no metal is stretched or paint cracked it will do the job.<br /><br />There are kits available that should do the same thing, but they glue a pad to the dent, then pop it off when the dent is out. They also work on no-stretch dents.<br /><br />Whatever you do, do not take a hammer or mallet to it. Without bodywork training and skill I guarantee you you will make it worse. In that case $125 is a good price.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

The reason these guys that advertise "Paintless body repair" can get away with it is that they will only do small dents that have no creases or broken paint. Actually I have seen some of the things they do and it is truely amazing how good some of these guys are. If it is creased or allready has broken paint, they will tell you beforhand that they cant do it. If they have allready told you that they can do it, chances are that they can.<br /><br /><br /> Dont ry this at home!! <br /><br />Without the proper tools and training, you will likely make it worse.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

I worked at a car dealership and we used a "dent wizard" (outside contractor all the time. Great results on dings and small dents and indeed paintless.<br /><br />Those guys are worth every penny they charge.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

I don't know if your volvo is equipped with side intrusion bars and airbag sensors inside the door but its worth checking before attempting to beat it out or pull it out yourself - could be a can of worms. In my case, my insurance company would not renew my policy unless the side intrusion bar was replaced, they wouldn't accept a repair.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[DJ]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

I worked at a car dealership and we used a "dent wizard" (outside contractor all the time. Great results on dings and small dents and indeed paintless.<br /><br />Those guys are worth every penny they charge.<br />

I completely agree.

 

[KM2]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

A have seen a product called "Pops a dent" in infomercials. Our local TV news did a story on the many informercial items including the "Pops a dent" and after trying it several times had some success. Didn't work all the time but did work on some of the door dings. <br /><br />You glue the center suction piece to the dent and then turn a handle which applies pressure until the dent pops out. No painging. Could be worth a try. Good Luck

 

[G DANE]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

Thanks for the replies, mayby I should let the pros landle this, they actually said they could do it, no problem. Said they could fis anything up th an axechop as long as paint wasnt broken. Thanks for your replies.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

A word of caution with the paint-less dent repair folks: The sheet metal has stretched when the dent was made. The paintless folks cannot shrink the metal back to its proper size. What can happen is you end up with a panel that is now predisposed to pop back in if leaned against. Not always, but it can happen.

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

I recently purshased a "Ding King" from the As Seen on TV store in the mall. Made most small dents better... but none as good as new. To be fair, I want to try again when temps warm up (was colder than recommended temp when I used it). I think that was $24 that would have been better spent on some new fishing gear.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

Dunaruna yes it has the intrusion bars and airbags ( SIPS equipment ), but I dont think the small dent can have any effect on either.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Anybody tried DIY dentbusting

If it has the side impact airbags do not remove the door panel. In the unlikely event the airbag deploys it can cause very serious injury! We do a lot of unlocking doors for people. We will not touch one with side air bags. If it only has air bags in the front like the steering wheel and dash, go for it. The door panels pop off easy. Use a rubber mallet or a block of wood padded with something soft. Try first just shoving and massaging the dent out. If this don't work then tap on it to push it out. Hold something on the outside like another block of wood cushioned by a thick rag to protect paint. Go slow. <br />The metal will be stretched if the dent is big enough to be seen so there will be some distortion after the dent is out.<br />Some small hail dents can be fixed by heating the metal with a hair dryer or a heeat gun. Heat in small circles around the dent working your way in.