Paintless Dent Removal
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
2012 C204
Paintless Dent Removal
Well, thank you to all that helped me make the decision to buy my '14 E550C. Amazing car. Unfortunately it came with some blemishes. Some the dealer says they cannot take out. I have dings near the wheel well, where the metal is more solidified. The dealer said they could not remove them. Another PDR guy said he couldn't either. A third said, he could, but it would be difficult. Do you guys have any suggestions? There are about 7 dents all in the same area. My suspicion is dealer negligence or previous owner just didn't care. It's very unfortunate. Please let me know your thoughts or if you know someone good down in Southern California.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 600
Likes: 45
From: Minneapolis, MN/Breckenridge, CO
2010 E550 4Matic Sport P2
front or rear?
If it is the front, compare costs to the PDR option with a replacement front fender which would be easy. If it is the rear, PDR is the more viable option. I would look for the most highly regarded PDR professional in your area and see if they guarantee their work so you don't end up paying for a failed attempt.
If it is the front, compare costs to the PDR option with a replacement front fender which would be easy. If it is the rear, PDR is the more viable option. I would look for the most highly regarded PDR professional in your area and see if they guarantee their work so you don't end up paying for a failed attempt.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 580
Likes: 62
From: Maryland
2013 E550 4Matic
I think the reason they say it can't be done (or will be difficult) is because it's on a crease. They tend to round out the creases when pulling out dents, so it won't look new, and may potentially even look worse/more noticeable after they try it. Also, I think paint on the creases tend to crack when doing PDR.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 86
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2012 C204
Their reasoning was they couldn't get to it because of the location. The dents are on the rear right side. On the back of the dent is a solid layer of metal, so they cannot access it from behind. The third guy indicated he could get them all, but it would be difficult and costly. There are 7 or so dings on this area, all around. Would it be just better to paint it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Their reasoning was they couldn't get to it because of the location. The dents are on the rear right side. On the back of the dent is a solid layer of metal, so they cannot access it from behind. The third guy indicated he could get them all, but it would be difficult and costly. There are 7 or so dings on this area, all around. Would it be just better to paint it?
.......i might be wrong tho.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 192
Likes: 47
From: Nor Cal
21 E63 Wagon
I have a PDR guy who looked at my rear fender dents a few days ago. He said he would have to drill a hole into the door jam and advised against it.
He said even though he has white caps, buyers hate to see these holes. He also said that he cannot guarantee that they would come completely out being that they are on the body line.
He said even though he has white caps, buyers hate to see these holes. He also said that he cannot guarantee that they would come completely out being that they are on the body line.
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
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From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
thats exactly what the PDR guy did to my ex Gf acura tl couple years back, drilled out holes , and fixed everything , and then they usually plug the holes with silicone or some plugs.
but you can even see it cuz its on the side and almost not noticebale unless you know its there.
and its prolly your best option , im sure u will like the results for the price.
but you can even see it cuz its on the side and almost not noticebale unless you know its there.
and its prolly your best option , im sure u will like the results for the price.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 192
Likes: 47
From: Nor Cal
21 E63 Wagon
Just watched a YouTube video debunking the dry ice method. I have used the PDR guy many times before on a lot of different vehicles.
His hesitation for the hole in the B pillar made me have second thoughts as well.
His hesitation for the hole in the B pillar made me have second thoughts as well.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
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2012 C204
Well it's been a whirlwind the last two months. I haven't even had a chance to really focus on the PDR.
The car came with a few things the dealer said they would fix....they did not until I raised hell. It stayed in the shop for a month. After 500 miles of driving, I noticed the symptoms of warped rotors and told them about this while the car was in the shop for a month. They "couldn't replicate". I took it to another dealership and lo' and behold...warped rotors. I had to take it back again so they could fix it. Truth be told, it has not been a pleasant experience and I will not be doing business with them again. I finally have the car back and am now on a mission to get this fixed without holes being drilled
Can anyone recommend any exceptional PDR guys or body shops that can tackle this issue. I'm willing to spend around $500, max, to get it right. Otherwise, I'll live with it.
Also, those that did get holes in their door jambs, can you send pics? I would love to see what it would look like. Thank you all.
The car came with a few things the dealer said they would fix....they did not until I raised hell. It stayed in the shop for a month. After 500 miles of driving, I noticed the symptoms of warped rotors and told them about this while the car was in the shop for a month. They "couldn't replicate". I took it to another dealership and lo' and behold...warped rotors. I had to take it back again so they could fix it. Truth be told, it has not been a pleasant experience and I will not be doing business with them again. I finally have the car back and am now on a mission to get this fixed without holes being drilled
Can anyone recommend any exceptional PDR guys or body shops that can tackle this issue. I'm willing to spend around $500, max, to get it right. Otherwise, I'll live with it.
Also, those that did get holes in their door jambs, can you send pics? I would love to see what it would look like. Thank you all.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 192
Likes: 47
From: Nor Cal
21 E63 Wagon
My car came with bent rotors as well. I ended up replacing them myself. Super smooth now.
The local Napa auto parts had them for $93/piece for the cross drilled style. Didn't want to deal with the dealer BS.
The local Napa auto parts had them for $93/piece for the cross drilled style. Didn't want to deal with the dealer BS.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
I had a sharp dent on the rear wheel arch on my old 08 C300 which was caused by a high-speed shopping cart. The dealership quoted over $2K for the repair. I went to a high-end body shop (lot filled with Lambos, Ferraris, Rolls Royces etc) and they referred me to their guy. The PDR guy came to my house and fixed that dent, another large dent on the rear door and another on my trunk lid for $200 in under one hour.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
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Joined: May 2008
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From: DFW
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
Those dents are in a very difficult location to fix by PDR. They are going to require bodywork to fix. As far as drilling hole, most PDR guys who are good have equipment to take out the dent from the outside.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,236
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From: DFW
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
I live in Dallas Texas. Lots of Hail. PDR is a big business. The guys have tools to go behind panel, but they also have tools to pull from outside especially in place like roof rails where they ordinarily could not get into. I just had a door ding taken out of my GLC. I have a real good guy with over 25 years experience take it out. He used a combination of working the panel on the outside as well as from the inside. He informed me they use outside techniques often on places where cannot get tool into.
