Dents on armrest

**velobard** · 11-21-2006, 07:53 PM

This last time I had my car in the body shop they actually did a respectible job on the paint, the outside of the car actually looks good and I`m confident it looks better than it did in the showroom.

The problem is on the inside. Apparently they removed the door panels in the process of painting the car and laid them down somewhere. Now there`s indentations on each of the front armrests. The area is lightly padded with foam under the vinyl and it appears the foam is compressed. The guy tried to assure me the dents would come back out, but it`s been a week (granted, the weather is fairly cold) and the dents are still the same. Here`s a couple pics.

Driver`s side

Passenger side

Does anyone have any recommendations on what to try (or what to avoid) to get these to pop out again?

I`ve spoken to the guy at the shop and he`s starting to clamp down when I mention this problem, that there`s nothing he can (or will) do about it. I`ve been considering filing a comp claim on my insurance (only a $100 deductible to replace the door panels) if I can`t find another resolution or fix. Of course, my insurance will go after the shop that caused the problem.

**BigJimZ28** · 11-21-2006, 08:07 PM

They should pop out

you could try a blow dryer to speed things up

**velobard** · 11-21-2006, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

They should pop out

you could try a blow dryer to speed things up

But how long should this sort of thing take? I kind of figured if they hadn`t changed in a week my odds weren`t looking too good.

**BigJimZ28** · 11-21-2006, 08:29 PM

2.54 weeks ...lol

who knows but like you sayed the weather is cold

so the vinyl is stiff so it will take longer

**Rocket** · 11-23-2006, 11:05 AM

it will come out. Just give it some time. If you decide to use a blow dryer be careful they will come out though

**imported_steveo3002** · 11-23-2006, 12:31 PM

i wonder if the car was oven baked with whatever caused the dents in place....the heat may have allowed the vynil on those areas to stretch

**abbeysdad** · 11-24-2006, 09:45 AM

I would carefully use a hair dryer and work the material slightly with your other hand - it should come back as these materials have very good `memory`.

Car looks great btw!