One day, my client walked out of the grocery store only to find a shopping cart up against the passenger side of his vehicle. The cart had hit so hard that it left a mark and two deep, sharp dents on the leading edge of the passenger front door. On top of that, a reinforcement brace behind the dent made access to the damage quite difficult, especially since the damage overlapped the edge of the door and left a slight outward crease.
Beginning with the End in Mind
When it comes to dents like these, it's essential to assess the damage properly from the beginning to come up with an effective repair plan. It's also important to address potential paint issues. In this case, I found black blemishes on the door that were removable with rubbing alcohol. However, light scratches were present underneath the blemishes. I informed my client about the repair and what he could expect afterward, including the fact that the scratches would remain even after the dents were removed. He decided to proceed with my method.
Access Down the Window Channel
To repair the dent, I needed to access behind the panel. While there are times when I need to disassemble interior trim or remove a door to access the damage, I was able to gain access safely through the window channel with the window down. I use a window guard that is felt-lined to protect the glass, and a slim wedge to insert a PDR tool down into the door. I used a tool called a "whale tale" to carefully slide it between the inside of the door panel and the intrusion beam. I then read the reflection of the backlit lines on my reflection device to twist the handle of the tool, leveraging the metal back outward.
Saving the Paint
After a few hours of carefully shaping the metal, I was able to restore the panel's shape and ultimately save the beautiful pearlescent white paint on the Subaru door. My client saved the resale value of his car and a lot of time.
Contact Dent Evo for Quality Dent Repair
If you have a dent or ding on your vehicle, don't hesitate to contact Dent Evo. We specialize in paintless dent repair and are dedicated to providing our clients with the best service possible. Contact us today for more information!