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The first dent ...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by 2009Prius, Aug 29, 2010.

  1. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I was driving along when I was startled by this loud bang on the roof. Sure enough a falling tree nut made a dent. I hope the paint is not damaged. Sobbing ... :(
     
    #1 2009Prius, Aug 29, 2010
  2. RsSharKy

    RsSharKy New Member

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    I thin it's better than someone keyed your rear widow
    Someone keyed my rear window
    So deep that your finger nail can get in there
     
    #2 RsSharKy, Aug 29, 2010
  3. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    That has happened to me before. Sucks.

    The good news is if you take it to a PDR specialist, paintless dent removal, it can be good as new for about $100.
     
    #3 SW03ES, Aug 29, 2010
  4. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    When it happened to Sir Isaac Newton, he was credited with discovering Gravity.
    You however, only just discovered Deductable.
    Sorry about that, How about some Apple Schnapps?
     
    #4 KK6PD, Aug 29, 2010
  5. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    The first one is the worst. I noticed a very small one in the front passenger's door a few weeks ago and I'm going to leave it, then I won't have to go through the "first dent trauma" again.
     
    #5 tumbleweed, Aug 29, 2010
  6. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Sorry to hear that!
     
    #6 2009Prius, Aug 29, 2010
  7. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I wonder whether it is better to remove the dent (bending twice) or leave it as is (only bending once). I presume more bending results in higher probability of cracking. On the other hand leaving the dent in would leave the corresponding internal stress in, which also results in more chance of cracking.

    Even general relativity and string theory have already been invented - there is not much left for the rest of us to do. ;)

    I am leaning toward leaving it alone also.
     
    #7 2009Prius, Aug 29, 2010
  8. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    I think it was Qbee42 that mentioned using dry ice to pop out dents... or, um, someone else, maybe.

    There's a couple really small dings (no paint damage) on Rudy that I'm planning on trying the DI method with... just to see if it works.
     
    #8 Rae Vynn, Aug 29, 2010
  9. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Almost all car dealers use a paintless dent repair guy who drops by once a week or so to take out small dents. If you ask one of the dealers in your area they will usually put you in touch with him.

    A few years ago I did that and the guy came to my house, he took out two dents and charged me $40 per dent. I couldn't even tell where they had been. Might be a lot less trouble than trying to DIY with dry ice.
     
    #9 tumbleweed, Aug 29, 2010
  10. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    You're overthinking it. Its just a minor dent, the only way you're going to get cracking is if you choose a PDR tech who screws it up. Leave it in...it will look like it does now...forever. Have it PDR'd it will look like it did...forever. I've had many dings, some in very hard to fix places done on my car over the years and the repairs were always perfect...years down the line.

    Dry ice does not work, unfortunately.
     
    #10 SW03ES, Aug 29, 2010
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