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watch for "soft" roof metal

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ALoLA, Jul 6, 2005.

  1. ALoLA

    ALoLA New Member

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    Over the weekend, I had to find a creative way to get into my Prius, which somehow ended up in a puddle of water 3 or so inches deep. So I thought I'd do my best Duke boys impression and climbed on the roof and dropped in from above. However, I later discovered that my apparently bony knees left a couple of dents on my roof. :oops: Just be careful what goes up there. I'm going to give those dent pullers a try to see if I can even it out a bit.
     
  2. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Yes, it's pretty soft. Don't park under an Oak Tree in the fall. The Acorns can make it look like a Golf Ball.
     
  3. Chas

    Chas New Member

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    You might try using a toilet plunger to pull the dents out. I've had some success doing so when the dents are shallow. It helps to moisten the surface with water to get a better grip with the plunger.
     
  4. MGBGT

    MGBGT New Member

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    I have also heard of using dry ice (which you can get at most food stores that sell fish): place some dry ice in the middle of a dent (use gloves!), and the temperature related contraction of the metal pops out small dents. I've never tried it myself.
     
  5. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ALoLA\";p=\"104503)</div>
    Sun roof? I didn't know they would open that far!
     
  6. nevesis

    nevesis New Member

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    I agree about the "soft roof". Just the other day, 03 July, I was driving home, and heard a loud THUMP!. I thought I hit a rock or something. Being almost the 4th of July, it could have also been a firework. But my brother in the passenger seat said he saw a bird fly straight towards the car, just before the THUMP.

    Stupid bird. There was some moisture around the new dent just above the winshield too, but it wasn't "red". Left a nice little dent, about as noticeable as the creases that are already there. I may try the plunger trick, or take it to a friend of mine who works in an autoshop who can get it pulled. It isn't that bad, but I hate to see that scar on there.
     
  7. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    The sides are equally soft.

    I was using a squeegee on the windshield and while reaching all the way across, my thigh pushed in the quarter panel just behind the front tire. I felt it give, but it flexed back out without a trace.

    Lucky me.

    This is not your dad’s Oldsmobile!
     
  8. nevesis

    nevesis New Member

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    The sides are even moreso soft. But those pop back out. The roof did not. I do not think the sides are metal, but rather fiberglass. They are quite resistant to minor resistance. The roof wasn't so forgiving, but then again, you hit a small 2 pound object at a combined speed of 50MPH, and you'd expect more localized damage than someone leaning into the side until it gives, then immediately let up.

    I may try and pull it out later. For now, life remains in the way of things like that and world domination. When I get a chance, I'll get back to one of the two. At least you can't really tell - especially since I picked up a white car.