Bang, push, pull or cut? Options

[Tdskip]

Ideas or tips get this back into proper shape...

[rjames]

Try pulling, you can always cut.

[Dobbsy]

I would recommend watching some Youtube videos on paintless dent repair, PDR. I know your not bothered about the paint but it will show you where to start, they are usually really good at explaining where to hit the crowns. You will be surprised what they can achieve.

[Tdskip]

Thanks guys, YouTube for coaching is a good suggestion.

The car is extremely solid so the door gap being a bit tight at the top seems dent related rather than body structure. Think that requires some pulling/pushing out...

@rjames - good point, it I really mess it up would need to cut anyway (and I have the panel).

[Front yard mechanic]

A 2x4 with a smoothed out edge would be a good start

[Tdskip]

A 2x4 with a smoothed out edge would be a good start

To beat up the rest of the car so it looks equally bashed in? Some help you are (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)

[bkrantz]

I would try pulling, preferably with a bunch of weld-on studs and a big slide hammer.

[bbrock]

I honestly am thinking 2x4 also. Reach it up in there to get the end under that upper dent. Use a small block as a fulcrum and see if you can push/pop that upper dent out. If you are successful, you'll be 90% home. Of course I'd research on Youtube first in case there is a better way.

[914e]

I would recommend watching some Youtube videos on paintless dent repair, PDR. I know your not bothered about the paint but it will show you where to start, they are usually really good at explaining where to hit the crowns. You will be surprised what they can achieve.

I second that recommendation, the paintless dent videos helped me understand how to work the panel stresses out.

[914e]

A 2x4 with a smoothed out edge would be a good start

To beat up the rest of the car so it looks equally bashed in? Some help you are (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)

I used a rounded 2x4 to get my rear wheel well clearance equal. I used a sander to just give it a slight curve on the 4" face of the 12" piece then rounded the edges pretty heavy. I wanted a large area pressing on the fender without risking an edge the 2x4 creating a crease. Then put a 12" square piece 3/4" to spread the load with a scissor jack between them. Then just slowly pushed it out with the jack, working back and forth across the wheel well till it matched the other side.

A scissor jack won't fit in there but and inflatable air wedge will. Then just start working that crown. It will take a few hours, just go slow and don't stretch the metal.

[Andyrew]

Pay a PDR guy $100 bucks, watch him knock it out in 10 minutes.


I would say a 2x4 vertically for support about 6" rearward of the dent. Then another 2x4

Only work the top and bottom. The bottom is very sharp so you might need something equally as sharp like a large prybar or tire iron.

[Tdskip]

Thanks for all of the ideas and responses. Inflatable wedge is a clever idea (as are the others).

I sent pictures off to a couple local PDR guys and they all ran screaming - apparently this is unattractive work compared to what they can charge new BMW owners. Can't say I really blame them but a touch frustrating.

Will keep shaking that tree.

[bbrock]

Only work the top and bottom. The bottom is very sharp so you might need something equally as sharp like a large prybar or tire iron.

^^^^^
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I see two small dents here, not one large one. Bump those out and the rest will fall into place.

[Tdskip]

Only work the top and bottom. The bottom is very sharp so you might need something equally as sharp like a large prybar or tire iron.

^^^^^
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I see two small dents here, not one large one. Bump those out and the rest will fall into place.

Good point/observation gentlemen, thank you.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

certainly a good paintless dent man first, they work miracles, then you may have to heat shrink and body work but not too bad

[Tdskip]

Thank you George

[Mark Henry]

More fabrication then dent repair but best vid's are Fitzee's Fabrications

[914e]

After watching this one Porsche Macan, Paintless Dent Removal I watched watched a bunch before trying the techniques with regular body hammers and dollies the next weekend. Standard body repairs are more brute force without trying to reverse how the metal folded into the dent. So it tends to get stretched which then you have to shrink.

[bbrock]

After watching this one Porsche Macan, Paintless Dent Removal I watched watched a bunch before trying the techniques with regular body hammers and dollies the next weekend. Standard body repairs are more brute force without trying to reverse how the metal folded into the dent. So it tends to get stretched which then you have to shrink.

Along those lines, this book is old as dirt but fantastic for just that reason. It goes through a lot on how to read the damage and reverse it.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com-20845-1598116290.1.jpg)
https://www.amazon.com/Martin-BFB-Bumping-M...n/dp/B001GUZP4O

[EdwardBlume]

About a gallon of bondo? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

BTDT on dads car. Almost indentical.

Tried pulling it, but really screwed it up.

The upper part of the dent is at a harder bend angle and was tougher to move. Ended up taking it to a pro which is what you should do.

Love the idea of a dent pro. They can be magicians.

Are you going to paint the inside or texture? I personally hate the textured fenders vs the paint, but it really depends on what you do with it.

Good luck.