| Author |
Message |
Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 02, 2001 - 7:54 am: | |
On older cars the paint will be more brittle, some of the paintless dent guys will warn you before attempting it, even not charge (my guy anyway) if the paint cracks. The new cars use real thin metal and the paint is more resilient, that's why you should find an oldtimer, this technology is only a few years old, as I said anyone can buy the tools, the skill comes from experience and don't let them practise on your car! |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 11:45 pm: | |
I took the dealer's advice (Brian Jessel Ferrari) and went to their choice shop. Not cheap, but the quality of the repair was excellent (my dent was very deep and the paint flaked off, no choice but to repaint). |
Donny Bridges (Wildcatfans)
| | Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 9:13 pm: | |
I took the car to a shop in Baton Rouge called Like Nu, which specializes in dent repair. He inspected the car and found a couple of small dents that I didn't even notice. He scoped out where he could access the dent and seemed very confident that all could be totally removed. He took me into the shop where he was repairing a Suburban that was pretty beat up and said he would make his sales pitch by watching his work. I was amazed. Within 5 minutes he had the door almost perfect and said that he wasn't finished. That was just the first step of removal. He said he needed my car for a day. I was skeptical that it would be two hours work and 6 hours of driving, but he told me I could take the keys with me and even the coil wires if it would make me feel better. Anyhow he did sell me. Total estimate $250. I'll try to get in two weeks from now. I'll take some before and after pix.
Thanks again for all the advice. |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 8:18 pm: | |
I think Brian makes the best point here. Call some local dealers and see who they use and are they happy with him. |
david schirmer (David)
| | Posted on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 2:09 pm: | |
In Seattle, the name is "The Dent Guy". He fixed a dent on my wife's car. It was on a crease and in my opinion probably a tricky job. He did it in a couple of minutes ! You can't tell that there was ever a dent there. You may know that I'm pretty picky about this kind of thing, and I am completely satisfied with his work. He should go in our circle of fame list...
I am going to see how he does on a couple of minor spots on the 308. Will report later... |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 9:20 pm: | |
Donny, they usually have the proper tools to get at about any ding there is. However I have seen situations where they have had to drill a hole in the door panel around the lock mechanism to access the dent. This is done sometimes because a window regulator or something being in the way will not allow them access to it. If you don't like the plug, fill it and paint to match. |
BobD (Bobd)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 7:34 pm: | |
Donny, no need to remove door panels for PDR... they use long tools made just for that. Let them do it... if you have the right guy, you'll have no problems at all. Let us know how they do!!! |
Donny Bridges (Wildcatfans)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 7:10 pm: | |
Thanks for all the advice. I plan to remove the interior door panel prior to taking the car in for the work. I'd also like to remove the headliner myself. Can anyone give me some advice on how this is done, or would you leave the responsibility for removal to the repair shop?
Thanks again |
BobD (Bobd)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 2:05 pm: | |
For you guys in the Dallas area... I've got THE BEST Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) guy if anybody needs it done. Let me know. |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 12:57 pm: | |
Cool, thanks. |
michael marchese (Bigdog)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 12:43 pm: | |
Bret, I'm in Colorado, so I don't think I can be much help for a referral. Maybe I should have clarified my post and explained that Bob Muffler was at the Ferrari dealership visiting from New Jersey.
I would recommend that you call a Ferrari dealership in your area for someone they recommend, or perhaps call some insurance companies that insure Ferrari's (exotic cars) and get their recommendation(s). I would also inquire of other dealerships, friends, relatives, Ferarri club members in your area, etc.. And of course call the various shops and ask them if they work on your car, and ask for referrals.
Good Luck!! |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 11:52 am: | |
Michael who'd you use for the repair? If it's in the NJ area I'd probably be interested in seeing if I could at least get the wheel well dent out. |
michael marchese (Bigdog)
| | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 1:48 am: | |
Donny, I had my 308 dented by the dealership and had paintless dent repair done. I was amazed and would strongly recommend it but if done by an EXPERIENCED person, preferrably someone who knows Ferrari.
As a matter of fact the dealership dented my car again earlier this summer and since my driving time has wained I'm bringing it in for the paintless repair. I won't comment too much about the dealership but.. let me tell you this much. I was busy talking to Bob Muffler, Technical Manager from Ferrari North America (from New Jersey) and when my car was ready he asked to see it, of course like a proud father I obliged. But the dealer didn't even tell me about the dent and they parked it so I wouldn't see the door ding when we went outside.
Imagine my surprise when I got home and noticed it. I now believe the dealer didn't want to tip their hand with someone from FNA there. |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 7:30 pm: | |
Bret, I think on the 308GTS and GTB the only double panel is the hood. The door panels,front header panel, 1/4 panels and front fenders are all single layer panels. These are the most vulnerable to dings and can be rolled out. |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 11:36 am: | |
I too have a few small dents (one on the rear bonnet right in the middle and one on the right rear wheel well). You can't see them unless you really look and the light is right. The only tricky thing about the Ferrari is that they have a double layer of steel under most of the panels which means that you can't simply get under it and rub it out. There are certain parts that are doubled up and other that aren't, so I guess how easy and well it will come out also depends on where the dents are located. I think I'm gonna let my paint get chipped up for a few years and then eventually repaint the car. Little dents and chips are kind of like war marks though, I almost like them. |
BobD (Bobd)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 8:30 am: | |
Donny, if the paint isn't damaged and the dents are relatively small, PDR (paintless dent repair) is the only way to go. They can work miracles on door dings and hail damage. But be careful and choose the right guy. Find somebody who's been doing it a long time.... experienced. Done properly, even YOU will not know where the dings were when he's done. It absolutey works that well (and no repainting). |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 6:49 am: | |
Don't forget to check with the Better Business Bureau. Those that are in it for the long term will join and those that are less than professional will have unresolved complaints against them. |
Brian stewart (Eurocardoc)
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 6:01 am: | |
You can probably find a paintless dent guy through a local dealer referral, try a BMW dealer or ask for a local club contact. Go with the most experienced guy, it is easy to buy the tools and anyone can get into the business, caveat emptor.
Good luck. |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 10:12 pm: | |
Donny, When I took my wifes new Jag into the dealer for warranty work they dinged the front doors. They had a dentless repair guy remove them and you can't tell it. Go with it because if you don't want mismatched paint and nightmares that's the best way to go and a hell of a lot cheaper. |
Donny Bridges (Wildcatfans)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 10:05 pm: | |
I recently bought my 308. After going through the routine maintenance items it's time to move on to the body. As I'm sure most all of you are, I'm very picky about appearance. The previous owner received a few small dings that I'd love to have removed. As a matter of fact, when I look at the car now that's what I focus on. There are 3 door dings, a small impression on the top (between the targa top and the engine cover) which is probably where he put the gas cap, and another on top of the engine cover where someone pressed too hard while closing the deck. The paint isn't damaged.
Now on to the questions. Has anyone used a paintless dent repair shop? How can you ensure they will not create more of a problem than a small door ding? Can they eliminate the ding or just make it look better? Should I wait and have the dings filled and car resprayed ($150 vs. $5000)? Finally how do you select the most competent shop?
Thanks for any advice.
Donny |