Tailgate dent repair [DIY] (1 Viewer)

[Super77]

Apologies for the x-post, but I figured some of you hundy-heads might have more direct experience with a tailgate ding:

Thread '100 series tailgate dent repair'

Yesterday at 3:47 PM

How might I approach this:

The hit spared the taillight, and I was able to push the dent out enough to seat the taillight securely. I’m not worried about the bumper but I’d like to get the sheet metal smoothed out. PDR guys don’t want this job since it needs a touch up, and body shop quotes range from $750-2600.

I have experience with 2K paints and light bodywork, but not moving this much metal around. I’d like to give it a shot, I’d be happy with a 8/10 repair.

What do we think: glue and pull with a ratchet...

• Super77
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Paint and Body

 

[badlander]

If it were me, I'd just replace it with a used one, get it painted prior to installing, and be done with it.
But that's just me, I never liked, or was any good at, body work. I can see myself dragging a project like that out for months and then never really being happy with the results.
I guess if you are up to the challenge and want to spend your time on it, give it a shot!

 

[Super77]

Unless I find a local one in the same color and good condition, a refinished used one costs:

$250-350 part
$300-400 shipping
$500-700 prep & paint

Cheaper to repair.

 

[Patron100LC]

Maybe try a body shop that deals with quick collision repairs, usually found in the shady parts of town. They normally work directly with car dealerships, we pay $250 per panel (light body and paint). $750 is the cost of a pretty large repair.
That dent looks like a $250 job to me.. Paint and materials got very expensive in the last 5 years, so if you want the best Dupont blah blah name brand, expect to pay a lot more.

Edited to add, if you do take it out for a repair remove parts yourself, like the tail light or stuff you don't want overspray on, the reason they are cheap is bc they are very fast, that means tape instead of disassembly.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Find a different PDR guy and tell them you'll handle the paint.

 

[Super77]

That dent looks like a $250 job to me.. Paint and materials got very expensive in the last 5 years, so if you want the best Dupont blah blah name brand, expect to pay a lot more.

Not sure what area or decade you’re living in

In the Seattle area: $700 rock bottom at a shop that looked like a hoarder house in the industrial district. $2600 high end. PDR $600-900, plus then I have to paint. Materials alone are $200 for a full repaint of the panel.

 

[Patron100LC]

Hollywood FL 21st century.. not exactly Guanajuato but very similar if you ask me..
Ask a used car dealer in your area for the contact to the shop they use (and ALL of them do body repairs, not only used cars, new too), they'll charge a bit more since you're not a steady customer, but not much.
$200 if You buy the materials, they already have it all, they will buy a $25 half pint of 1D2 and blend.

For $600 we have a PDR guy for 2 straight days working on 25-30 dents on a TX hail damage midsize, but PDR isn't what you want on that dent, they'll pull it, hammer, bondo and paint, probably 1-2 hrs labor and 24hrs drying times between.

 

[Super77]

probably 1-2 hrs labor and 24hrs drying times between.

I wish…