Ouch, telephone pole versus my Prius = ? please help body shop pros

[taoofbean]

I blew it. I backed up while looking in the back mirror down my alley and didn't even see the telephone pole on the right of my car that tapped my right quarter panel. AFter scrubbing the telephone residue off with a degreaser, this is what remains, a few scuff marks in the clearcoat and a 1/2-1/4" depression. The depression is about 3.5 inches in circumference.

Boy those panels are thin.

I am wondering what my options are for fixing this and what some price figures I should expect before I ever get to the body shop. I have had every strange experience with body shops in the past from those claiming I need to repaint half the vehicle just to blend the paint from a 2 inch scrape to those that just kick out a dent and call it good. Before calling anyone in Portland, I wanted to get better informed as to what my options are in this regard. I would like to get the dent gone and not pay $500 to have it disappear. Thanks for your insight folks

[Randy G.]

Your damage looks like a good candidate for a paintless repair since it appears in the photos that you've done a good job of rubbing out the finish. There are individuals and companies around that specialize in removing door dings by getting behind the dent and working them back out with special tools. You might ask the dealer or check with your insurance company to see if they recommend someone. The dent you have appears to have no creases or major metal stress. Give it a try!

I've seen worse than that made to look *almost* like it never happened for under $200.

[AlphaTeam]

I had a recent experence with "paintless dent repair".
I'm a freak for my car looking good and I can't tell. It was in the same area as yours. It was no where near as bad (sorry) as yours, but it was cheap $85. It is worth a shot. Most places won't fix it if they can't and it doesn't cost anything for them to evaluate it.

Oh and I went to the body shop and they wanted $120 for the job. THey just call the guy and he comes out. I went to the source and saved a few $$.

[hwalker911]

You might try a company called Dent Wizard, they do a great job. Good luck.

[RichBoy]

if you want the best results, I would suggest taking it to your Authorized Toyota Dealer for repair.

[hdrygas]

OK I have done this before, more than once, I am dyslexic and the backing up thing is well, not really good. I would recommend that you get a back up camera installed. Even my wife is slowly (very slowly) becoming a believer. It is a necessary option for the back up challenged!

[tacomel]

When I had paintless dent repair done (on my former car, a Civic), they gave me a "percentage" up front. The door dings were 100%, meaning that nobody could ever tell. The caved-in corner of the bumper was rated at 90%. When all was said and done, the bumper looked fine for the untrained eye, but staring at just the right angle, you could see a couple little waves. Point - if you go to Dent Doctor or equivalent, they should be able to tell you up front if it's 100% or something less, and you can set your expectations accordingly.

[Orf]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(taoofbean @ Aug 17 2006, 07:04 PM) [snapback]304958[/snapback]</div>

I blew it. I backed up while looking in the back mirror down my alley and didn't even see the telephone pole on the right of my car that tapped my right quarter panel. AFter scrubbing the telephone residue off with a degreaser, this is what remains, a few scuff marks in the clearcoat and a 1/2-1/4" depression. The depression is about 3.5 inches in circumference.
[/b]

These poles that jump out at you when you least expect it are a nuisance. Get a chain and tie it down.

Some dents can be removed fairly cheaply by using suction.

Good luck.

[AlphaTeam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RichBoy @ Aug 17 2006, 10:38 PM) [snapback]305050[/snapback]</div>

if you want the best results, I would suggest taking it to your Authorized Toyota Dealer for repair.
[/b]

For mechanical repairs or serious body damage, but something simple like that a dent place will be fine. That is their bread and butter. Dinged metal is dinged metal is dinged metal. I trusted my car to a dent place and they did it FAST and cheap. I couldn't tell where it was. And when they say 90%...it is not like the dent will be 90% fixed...even then it still looks great.

[bruceha_2000]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas @ Aug 17 2006, 11:12 PM) [snapback]305079[/snapback]</div>

I would recommend that you get a back up camera installed. [/b]

I doubt the camera would have helped, that dent is nowhere near the viewable angle on the camera - This is a side mirror issue and I'm guessing just a 'forgot to check it soon enough' error.