Well I suppose I better greet all members with a "Happy New Year", but my new year didn't exactly get off to a great start.

Knock on the door this morning to be met with my neighbour saying "Have you seen your car door?!??". Walked to the car accompanied by a mild hangover, to see that some twit had decided to cave in a few car doors with his right foot in the early hours of this morning.

A stroll down the road revealed some more victims but amazingly my little 100hp seemed to be the pick of the bunch. B****rds! The 2 x Cayennes, 1 x Boxster, Saab Turbo X, Mercedes S class and R32 all got away without being noticed - hardly subtle motors are they?!??

I would describe the damage done to my drivers door as being moderate - the dented area being the size of a dinner plate just below the crease in the panel close to the window. No cracks in the paint and just a few minor scratches.

My question: Has anyone used a paint free dent removal service? Any good?

My voluntary excess for an insurance claim is £250 - so I am hoping to get something sorted professionally for less than that. Possible?!?

I'm in Surrey if anyone can offer recommendations.

Cheers all.




PS: I need to post my long overdue follow-up to 'The 100hp experience - The story so far', since posting this thread I've had my Stebel Nautilus fitted and my Pioneer/Alpine ICE system fitted... more to come soon.

I used one of these dent removal guys and for £50 they did an excellent job.
Of course, as I live in Sunderland, I cannot comment on services available in Surrey and I suspect it may cost a bit more down there but I would recommend you go down that route and avoid an insurance claim.
I know it's no consolation but it's obvious that your 100HP is much more enviable than the expensive "wastes of space" that you also mention which were ignored.

Eeeboy said:

I'm in Surrey if anyone can offer recommendations.

Click to expand...

http://www.chipsaway-wagenkraft.co.uk/

DO NOT make an insurance claim. In 2006 I had a p***k walk over my car and dent the roof. I claimed, as vandelism. I'm still paying for it now, even though i've moved house, and my cars are kept behind six foot gates on my drive, or in the garage.

If the dent's the size of a dinner plate it's unlikely that a paint less dent guy will be able to remove the dent perfectly. He'd certainly have a go, but the metal is likely to have stretched too far to make the repair invisible.

You're more than likely looking at a door skin if they're available - if they're not, it'll be a whole door. I'm going into work later (I run a body shop) so will have a look on our system to see if skins are available for a Panda.

In the meantime, as you're in Surrey, call Barry Burgess at Automotive Repair Systems on 07712 000443. He's the guy we use for all our PDR requirements and he's an absolute magician so it's well worth him having a look to see what he might be able to do.

Ben

Thanks for all your help and advice folks.

A dinner plate is a bit of an exaggeration, more like a side plate having looked properly at it.

Having seen those photos, definitely give Barry a call! It's worth him having a go first.

Ben