Fender dent

I discovered something new today on my passenger side front fender.
It looks like someone hit it with enough impact to make a dent, but not a scratch.

I looked at PDR but it is too pricey where I live - so I decided to attempt a DIY.
Any suggestions? I was thinking to try going behind the fender well to push it out evenly as possible with my hand and, then use glue and pull (PRD methods).

Any suggestions? It be my first attempt with the PDR glue and pull tool.

See picture.





Its not a great feeling to see my "not even a year" old 18" HB get this by just being parked...

Hopefully things will work out great if you’re going the DIY route. My passenger rear quarter panel has two nickel sized dings that I discovered the other day. No paint scratched or anything. I have a exterior protection warranty I purchased when I got my Civic, hoping to get it resolved within the next week or two. Definitely annoying to say the least.

Some friendly advice!
I had hail damage on my civic early this year. Went to a nation wide body shop and they wanted over $1500. To do just a few of the big dents. Took it to a local body shop and they did all the dents for $600. They did a great job! If you haven’t yet, it wouldn’t hurt to go around getting free estimates!

Spend the money on a professional PDR

I rather learn the trade and do it myself... paying $350+ for something simple is not worth it imo. If I had a S2000 or Ferrari, I would; which I did when I had my 05 S2K about a decade ago

It's not an easy dent, it's pretty deep and sharp so i would say it takes a very experienced pdr guy to fix it correctly. I had 2 dings done on my passenger door for the equivalent of 35$, the next time i got 2 small dings on another door I attempted to do the job myself, mainly for the pleasure of trying, and I realized it is not as easy as it looks, the first small ding went away but the bigger one is still partially visible at the right angle and light conditions, although it is fine for a normal person's eye.
Anyway i encourage you to try, but be very gentle and heat the panel to avoid paint cracking

CivicChina said:

It's not an easy dent, it's pretty deep and sharp so i would say it takes a very experienced pdr guy to fix it correctly. I had 2 dings done on my passenger door for the equivalent of 35$, the next time i got 2 small dings on another door I attempted to do the job myself, mainly for the pleasure of trying, and I realized it is not as easy as it looks, the first small ding went away but the bigger one is still partially visible at the right angle and light conditions, although it is fine for a normal person's eye.
Anyway i encourage you to try, but be very gentle and heat the panel to avoid paint cracking

Click to expand...

Yes, I plan to pre-heat the panel with a heat gun or hair dryer.
Making it slightly malleable would be gentler on the paint as you mentioned.
However, I will have to get a rod, as their is a frame or bracket behind the part where its pushed in.
I did pull the fender liner a bit, just so I can "try" to feel it and, felt a frame or brace behind it, so smoothing it out would be difficult with just a flat something or by hand.

This sucks dude. I’d be gutted. I never park next to other cars unless I absolutely have to

Definitely doesn't seem like an easy DIY kinda fix for that one. Seems like a really good dent.

wdrx02 said:

Yes, I plan to pre-heat the panel with a heat gun or hair dryer.
Making it slightly malleable would be gentler on the paint as you mentioned.
However, I will have to get a rod, as their is a frame or bracket behind the part where its pushed in.
I did pull the fender liner a bit, just so I can "try" to feel it and, felt a frame or brace behind it, so smoothing it out would be difficult with just a flat something or by hand.

Click to expand...

I used an extra long Allen wrench with a round end, packed in a plastic bag to avoid scratches

SDAlexander8 said:

This sucks dude. I’d be gutted. I never park next to other cars unless I absolutely have to

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I totally concur. However, in my case... I had no choice.... I currently live in a apt and their are only street parking; which means. Find a curb / street parking on first come first serve basis.

Parallel parking pretty much everyday... Just the looks of it, I am guessing a bike hit it/fell or someone walking by accidentally fell or hit my car with some kind of stick. No scratches or anything... but a oddly shaped dent. If it was done at a parking lot, then all I can say it... its a soft padding of some sort but enough impact to go inwards.

CivicChina said:

I used an extra long Allen wrench with a round end, packed in a plastic bag to avoid scratches

Click to expand...

Do you have a link or picture of the one you used? It has been challenging to find a long Allen/hex wrench with a ball end.
The ones that say long are not even a foot long. I am hoping to find something at least a foot long to get in from the engine bay; without having to remove anything. P.S, I tied the glue and pull, and it helped a bit but like to go from behind to push it out a bit.

Thanks!

took my car to another PDR place, and said what he could do. However, got a call no long after saying "unfortunately" it can't be done and a body should would be suggested. Basically during the process of the repair. The guy found 3 small rust spots under lining the paint. The reason he say it, is because the paint came off.

I got referred to a body shop for a estimate. Due to the color... they would maybe need to repaint the hood to color match. If not, it be a bit less. However, was quoted $1200, so rather then spending it now... I am going to clean the lil dent and apply touch up for now; this is to help further rust.

Lesson to be learned here... if you get a dent and possibly can be restored with PDR. Please, do it sooner than later.

The dent I had was considered a 4" so it came to approx $450 to have it done. Although, I would of paid it... because, it is a fairly new car... The process exposed small rust; therefore... no bueno.... it would of came off later due to the rusting.

Meanwhile, I just cleaned up the spot (rust still a bit there) and touched it up to prevent exposure/rusting.
I will just wait until I really need to or have the extra money to do this body work. I may even consider getting a CF fender but.... who knows... >.<