Advice Needed

**KuLex** · 04-24-2006, 08:43 PM

This seemed like the most relevent sub-forum for my question... is it possible for me to fix ten dents of this nature on my Lexus LS400 myself? It was struck repeatedly by large hail and the dents are not too deep and are not to "sharp". Would a suction-cup type device work? I am a beginner but have some confidence in my handywork. I would love any advice or stories of experience with said devices. Thanks in advance. Dustin.

**Brenton** · 04-24-2006, 08:46 PM

The problem is not getting the dent out, but getting it out so that it doesn`t pop out the other way. The metal is stretched.
For $200 or so, a PDR guy can do that.

**TrueDetailer** · 04-24-2006, 08:47 PM

Paintless dent removal is something a novice should never try. You could pop it out to much, you could also end up putting a crease in it. You should find a professional PDR guy in the yellow pages.

**belcherm58** · 04-24-2006, 08:51 PM

I would take it to a paintless dent removal professional. That may not be what you wanted to hear, but they can massage these type dents out from behind the panel with very good results. I have seen the hail damage they repair and it is perfect. They do not pull them out but massage from behind
the panel. It is not really to expensive unless you have a bunch of dents covering the car. The dents you have pictured look pretty deep. Thats my advice.

**Brenton** · 04-24-2006, 08:59 PM

I had two black sports cars in the shop last week.
One I paid my PDR guy $75 to take out 3 dents (I charge $99).
The other guy paid $20 to his bro-in-law.
On mine, it was fixed.
On the other one, the guy had a ringled door instead of a round inset.

**joe.p** · 04-24-2006, 09:09 PM

I would use a pro. i had hail damage to my car and all were removed and none of them returned.You can`t tell their was ever any hail damage.

**KuLex** · 04-24-2006, 09:09 PM

That was fast! thanks for the great responses. Needless to say the dent guys in town are booked up for a while. I suppose i will have to bite the bullet and pay someone to fix it. But when I think about it, I do want it done right. Thanks again.

**audiboy** · 04-24-2006, 09:12 PM

I`m going to have to agree with everyone else on this one. PDR from a pro is the only way to go.

**CalgaryDetail** · 04-24-2006, 11:56 PM

heres another vote for getting it done. You have a nice car its worth the money to get it doen by a pro

**lonewolf0420** · 04-25-2006, 08:34 AM

Here`s a gentlman in your shoes.
http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=220096
Sorry to hear about the damage.

**mgm2003** · 04-25-2006, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by TrueDetailer

Paintless dent removal is something a novice should never try. You could pop it out to much, you could also end up putting a crease in it. You should find a professional PDR guy in the yellow pages.

Ditto -Paintless dent removal is an art!

In our area, most dealerships have the `dent guy` come in once or twice a week. They charge $65-75 per panel -which is a pretty good deal IMO. I have to get a door ding our 2 pulled each year and have been very happy with paintless dent removal services. At such a low cost, I`d take this option vs. turning in damages to your insurance.

**Mikeyc** · 04-25-2006, 09:53 AM

I too have used a PDR guy several times and can say that it`s 100% worth it to pay these guys to remove dents.

Threads get started all the time where people ask "can I do this body work myself?" The answer they always get is "do you want it to look like you did it yourself?" Detailing yourself is one thing, because most so called "professional detailers" are complete hacks. Amateur body work is a completely different situation.