easy dent repair D90?

[hlamar]

My D90 has a couple of minor "elbow" dents on the bonnet and one of the wings. They are only noticeable from certain angles, but they drive me nuts! They have been there since I bought the truck.

Has anyone ever used Dent Wizard or any similar such companies to do paintless dent repair on a D90? With the metal being so thin on these trucks, I was a bit worried to try it without others' advice. My paint is in very good shape, so I would rather not go with the traditional body shop repair.

Thanks in advance!

[rijosho]

Don't know about Dent Wizard, but there are a whole bunch of threads on dent repair. These trucks are aluminum...different beast than almost any other car found over here, so Dent Wizard will likely not apply. Don't know how many others are, but I believe DeLoreans and NSX's are on the short list of cars that are also aluminum.

I think aosias had some luck with one method a few months back. IIRC, Gustavo (and many others) have recommended gradual heat and manipulation; and others say not to do it. :)

[JimC]

Deloreans are stainless right?

[John_Karlsson]

Deloreans are stainless right?

Right. Add Austin-Healey to the list. The big Healeys had aluminum center sections, though the doors and wings were steel.

[FlaD90]

The main issue is aluminum stretches, regular sheetmetal will pop back into shape without distortion. I repainted my truck and got as close as possible and used a light skim coat of "Evercoat" filler for aluminum. If you can live with it, consider it adds character on the truck and not a trailer qeen, bumps will happen even with the best of care.

[rijosho]

Deloreans are stainless right?


Ha, OK that one was a stretch...it was 6am; I wasn't thinking straight. So, the list just got shorter. :)

[aosias]

I believe Audi has a few cars too. Call your local Audi dealer and see who they use. That's where I started and then asked the BMW dealer and Land Rover. There were a few body shops that overlapped. I tried several of the paintless folks here in Denver and none wanted to touch the truck, but in their defense my dents aren't just little dings.

I was able to use a torch and canned air to pop out one dent. Keep in mind that mine had paint damage too so I didn't mind. If you google DIY dent repair you should find a video or two showing this method. Basic idea is that you heat the metal with your torch- heat not cook- and then invert an air can and spray it on the heated dent. Mine just popped right back. The other one didn't budge. For my fender flare dent I was able to pull it out and work it out enough that the flare is attached properly but it's no where near perfect.

All my dents are the front outer wings so I could replace them but I'm being cheap- the paint is expensive and I've recently learned automotive painting and I are not friends in any way shape or form.

[rijosho]

I believe Audi has a few cars too.

Yeah, they're introducing more models in aluminum it looks like. Think it was just the A8 at first.

[DMSLongLake]

Call the dealer in your area. They will know who can fix them.

We are lucky enough in Minneapolis to have one of the best paintless dent removal guys in the country...

http://www.juergensdentkraft.net/eng4.htm

[EricWS]

Call the dealer in your area. They will know who can fix them.

We are lucky enough in Minneapolis to have one of the best paintless dent removal guys in the country...

http://www.juergensdentkraft.net/eng4.htm


Any good body guy can remove them. You will have trouble finding one that will try, especially when they hear the word aluminum come out of your mouth. The Dealer was the only on that would touch my 97 SW. And they did a real good job.

[bjf]

Jag also has a bunch of aluminum cars.

I tried the dry ice method and it didn't work. I know Matt on the board has a guy in LA that does insane work on paintless dent removal on aluminum. I wanted to use him but haven't gotten around to it for door dings

[mpsteil]

Doesn't MBZ also have a few aluminium bodies as well?

[ini88]

Shit, Marcos used to have plywood chassis. You would fear termites more than road salt.

[hlamar]

As usual, thanks for all the great advice and occasional chuckle comments from the good people on the D-90 forum!

[130Tdi]

Shit, Marcos used to have plywood chassis. You would fear termites more than road salt.
Morgans had wooden chassis rails- add wet English climate....yikes