rb23lb

So I walk out to my car today coming out of a store and I notice this crazy placed dent right on the driver's side roof pillar, right inbetween the front and rear doors!!!

I am pretty pissed, as this is my first significant visible dent, and was wondering if I can even get it repaired or if I have to use some Bondo Putty and repaint it or something...

Since it is in the pillar, I am not sure if they can pop it back out or whatever those PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL guys do... There is no damage to the paint luckily though...

Anybody have any experience with dents in the pillars and the recommended course fo action?? I would greatly appreciate any helpful suggestions, as right now, I have no clue where to go first since it is in such a random weird spot that is part of the structural roof support...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions! (see pics of dent for a better idea).


-Ryan

e1000

pretty sure a paintless dent removal guy can get that out. Might have to drill a small hole to get to it though.

S*** happens.

rb23lb

drill a hole? hmmm, then I assume it is no longer "paintless"?

Does the paintless dent guy normally have the capability to resurface and finish the spot after they drill the hole?

Or Do I have to take to a body shop for paint after "paintless" dent removal is finished ?

What is the total estimate to get this type of dent fixed, do you estimate?

flagman

Now that wouldn't make it "paintless" dent removal, would it? Drilling a hole = painting required.

rb23lb - Sorry that happened - I feel your pain. Careless idiots in parking lots!

rb23lb

so you think the only way to get this guy out would be to drill it???

DRILL just sounds scary on my precious ride...

I wonder how the hell you dent a car on a roof pillar anyway...

it seems like someone specifically took a hammer and took a quick wack or something...

RLE

Since I have used the services of the local Dent Wizard several times, I will say that if the back of the panel can be accessed, the crease can be removed. Pull the door gasket down in that area and see if the headliner can be pulled down enough to get his tools in there.

The only place they drill holes is in the ends of the doors after which a plug is installed.

Prices vary but generally there is a price per panel. That crease, if he can get to it, wil probably cost about $100.

e1000

what he said. It's pretty amazing what they can do too. I've got a keen eye for detail and they made a ding on my driver's side door literally disappear like it never happened.

rb23lb

thanks RLE for the advice...

if i find i cant access the dent from removing the headliner, then they have to drill a hole and put in a plug?

after they put in the "plug", does it need to be painted? what does this paintless dent removal plug look like or what is it made of?

e1000

If they need to, they drill a small hole to access the body panel. They drill in a spot that's normally hidden or covered so you won't need to paint it over.

Ron Jr

Give dry ice a try, I had a small ding similar to that and it worked. It took a while but it did work.

tanktube67

Sorry, I'm sure the paint less dent remove guys can fix it

rb23lb

you think dry ice would hold strong enough to pull a dent out of the roof pillar?

Was your dent on the door panel or on a pillar like mine?

Ron Jr

Door panel but looks like it was the same size. Around here a 1/8th block of dry ice costs 10.00 it's worth a shot. But don't expect it to POP like on youtube. I preheated the spot with a blowdrier then put the ice on. Very slowly it came out.

Derspeed

Paintless dent removal. I have been using them for years. My girlfriend's brother also owns such a business. He has some pretty amazing little tools. I've seen him remove dents that looked impossible to fix.

There should be a way to access that dent from behind. They may even be able to get to it by removing the black rail or throught the roof rack slot.

rb23lb

so darth, did the dry ice stick to the metal, and then you just clamp on the dry ice with something and pull outward?

That might be kind of difficult on a non door panel area with thick structural steel...

Or did you just leave the dry ice on there and it just pops out on its own?

Ron Jr

Just held it in place for a couple of minutes each time.

RLE

Absolutely not. If they can't repair it they will tell you so. There is no way in hell they would drill a hole in a painted exterior panel and put in a plug.

As a matter of fact, in my area the paintless guys come around to the dealers on a regular basis to take dings out of trade-ins. Ask your dealer's used car manager when the repair guy will be there. DO NOT let a service advisor write up a dealer work order unless you want to pay double, but deal directly with the dent guy.

I had a crease just like yours on the upper curve of a rear quarter panel on a previous MB which was invisible after the fix.

rb23lb

so they were able to access it and pop itout or did they use dry ice?

no holes drilled when your rear quarter panel dent got fixed?

Derspeed

Dry ice is not going to remove that dent. You need to call a paintless dent removal person. Many will come right to your house or place of business. See if it is able to be fixed using that method. They can tell you immediately. As RLE stated, they DO NOT drill holes in exterior panels. I have never seen them drill holes in any panels.

whiteongrey

I've see the paintless / DentWizard use hot glue sticks to attach a tool to the skin and get it out that way - on both A pillars, roof rails and other inaccessible areas.

Than they just twist / lever to break the adhesion and fixed - takes 5 min

Your dent has a marginal crease so paintshop might be the only way.

rb23lb

if by marginal, you mean slight, or easy to fix.... why would I need a trip to a paint shop?

RLE

For God's sake, how many times does this have to be explained? If a hole was required which would have meant repainting the entire quarter panel, why would I have used the paintless guy? He will NEVER drill a hole in an exterior panel.

The dents are not "popped" out. Anybody who has used the service knows that. And forget the dry ice idea. If indeed it ever works, it won't work on a crease like this.

The first thing the dent guy does is set up a light reflector (a white panel) alongside the damaged panel so he can sight along it to gauge his progress. Then he gets out the tool he will start with. The tools look like very shallow elongated spoons with long thin handles. He very lightly begins to massage the back of the damage while tapping the front side with a flat-faced small hammer to prevent it from bulging beyond the surface. This could take ten minutes plus or minus. As the bottom of the crease/dent is nearly level, he taps lightly across the dent/crease while continuing to massage the backside until the surface is restored to pre-damage contours.

The next step is presenting the bill.

donjuan45i

maybe caps lock will explain it better next time lol




im gonna give paintless dent remocal a try next spring, i got 2 i need taken care of.

whiteongrey

sorry - I mean the crease looks kind of sharp and it is marginal whether with the paintless it will: a) pull out clean because too sharp crease can make it tough, with crease slightly showing and b) the paint might crack if crease was too sharp

cvkatigbak

hows your insurance man? why dont you claim it??