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Advice On Dents Please


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#1 Richard_

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 03:26 PM

Hi-

 

I have a couple of dents in my Mini that have got to go. One in the boot lid, one on the front nearside wing. See images below.

Options seem to be;

a) knock them out or pull them out myself,

b) have them 'PDR' treated,

c) or in the case of the boot - just buy a new (2nd hand) boot lid and spray it.

 

I'd like to avoid too much re-spraying if at all possible -  there is a nasty rusty bit on the wing under the headlight that I must do something with but I don't think a new wing is necessary just yet.

 

The car is metallic British racing green so I imagine if there's any spraying to be done then I'd have to do the whole panel. Is that possible with an aerosol?

 

I'm not super picky about finish. I like the car being all-original including a bit of patina and wear. - but the dents are going too far!

 

Any advice most welcome.   Thanks.

 

Richard

 

IMG_7895_zpsybx4qogf.jpg

 

IMG_7894%201_zps9o5dih7q.jpg

 



#2 Archived2

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 05:39 PM

The wing had rust etc but not in the dent location as such so just tap that out . The bootlid needs repair or replacement if you can find the right colour?

Your posts suggests you not wanting to spend out too much so the above would be the course to take.

Ideally both panels need replacing and likely others too.

#3 1984mini25

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Posted 30 November 2016 - 06:44 PM

If your not after a show car standard of paint finish, both those dents are easy enough to pop/hammer back out with basic tools.

 

working on the front wing. You can hammer the dent out from the inside using a suitable sized rubber/plastic headed hammer. while holding a scrap/offcut of wood on the outside of the panel, to stop the dent from popping too far out the other way. Start in the middle of the dent and work your way around, bit by bit trying to pop the dent out the opposite way it was originally dented. Then clean up the area (including the rust under the headlamp) with a wire brush in a drill/grinder, fill, prime and paint.

 

The boot lid would be pretty much the same, although you might have to use something like a pry bar where you can't get to the back of the dent as easily to gently pry the dent out.



#4 Richard_

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Posted 01 December 2016 - 02:23 PM

Thanks. I have ordered a cheapo hot glue gun / dent puller set off Amazon and will have a go much as suggested.

Will post the results.



#5 cal844

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Posted 25 December 2016 - 09:53 PM

Call a pdr specialist. Be sorted in no time

#6 absx2

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Posted 26 December 2016 - 09:58 AM

+1 for the specialist as you can make a simple dent look ten times worse with a plastic hammer and dolly.

 

The metal has stretched so it will need to be compressed back to its original form. Steel under a microscope is made of tiny crystals, each one can be nudged past the other with GENTLE persuasion. This is achieved by very gentle and fine movements in the correct places and a little heat to stop the paint falling off.

 

It takes time and skill to remove a dent so you should weigh up the cost of a pro repair against the 90% probability you will end up with body filler and an aerosol can which will look nasty on BRG metallic. 



#7 dyshipfakta

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Posted 26 December 2016 - 07:02 PM

Only thing I will add is shop around for your pdr guy and get someone you have some recommendations for. Plenty of tools out there with a van that can make a dent worse.

#8 1984mini25

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Posted 26 December 2016 - 07:16 PM

It takes time and skill to remove a dent so you should weigh up the cost of a pro repair against the 90% probability you will end up with body filler and an aerosol can which will look nasty on BRG metallic. 

 

That front wing and front panel are shot anyways. Add in the cost of a new front end, fitting, welding, new boot and paint will add up to more than the minis is worth....






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