tools for dent removal

[pompey]

Howdy, folks.

Some git has put a long dent in my passenger side front door. I was wondering if any of the cheap DIY dent removal tools I've seen on eBay might help improve the damage a bit. Has anyone got any experience of using DIY tools to fix dents and dings?

[sgould]

I used to try dent removal. But I didn't use any bought tools. Depending on the dent, I would use all sorts of odd items. Body weight and rubber soled shoes were the first thing to try. But you need access to the back of the dent. Then things like wooden struts and G clamps. But the end was always a bit of filler and some paint. Depends on how perfect you want the result. And never use any heavy metal impact thing like a hammer. That will just stretch the metal and make it worse.

[pompey]

I just want to make it a little less noticeable but, unless I hear anything positive on hear or from my friends about these diy tools, I'll source a professional to do it properly.

Or maybe, inspired by Wheeler Dealers, I'll filler it myself but have an expert spray it. I love that show. Anyone mates with Ed China???!!??

[Audax]

I'd really just consider paying a professional to do it, if not you could end up like the episode of Father Ted where they had the Rover as a raffle prize....

[pompey]

My first quote was £275 + vat. I'm assuming that wouldn't be vat at 20% but either way I was wondering if I could pick up a second hand door for less and, if so, if they're easy to fit. Does anyone have any experience of this?

[Geoff1951]

Pompey, if you know the quality of the work by the place quoting £275, I'd get it done. I had a minor door scrape that cost over £600. Replacing with a second hand door is real pain unless (and even then) the colour is right and all the mechanical and electric bits work.

All the DIY stuff isn't worth the money. Even if it was free.

[Audax]

Can you upload a photo of the damage?

To some people dent means something less than 1 cm long and to others it means the panel is completely caved in!

[pompey]

I finally took some pictures but it's a bit hard to see unless you're there in person.

I'm ashamed to admit that the circular scratches were caused by me when I used an old kitchen sponge with a rough side. No doubt some of you are wincing or even cursing me but the only reason I used it was because I've used them before on other cars to get stubborn marks of and they've never scratched the paint work like this! I didn't even rub very hard but the dent has a white line that runs along it which I had thought might have been some paint transfer.

The deepest part is on the left where the sods have initially made contact I guess and then they've driven along about 8 or so inches which left the long dent.

[David]

That's a crease, not a dent, so will not pop out. The only option is a bodyshop IMHO 

[Audax]

That's a crease, not a dent, so will not pop out. The only option is a bodyshop IMHO 

I agree. so easy to make that worse.

[pompey]

Thanks for the input, folks. I've pretty much made up my mind to let the experts take care of it but may actually claim on my insurance for it. Having worked in insurance for many years I'll make a few checks first as what this will cost me in the long run Vs dipping into my own pockets.

[jmblack]

£275 for that sounds pretty good. I was going to say try mobile debt service, asxive had good experience of these, but agree that's a crease and needs paint shop...