Small dent in sliding door - from next car door when parked.

[Jonlethbridge]

Would be interested to know experience and advice of others. Last weekend I washed and polished my 69 plate van that I have had just three months, and there was no dent. Two days later my neighbour who has a Transporter van for work pointed out a small 3 inch vertical dent about 5 inches from the front of the sliding door.
I thought repair of such a small dent might be just a couple of hundred pounds. I have had a quote from a smart looking body shop and was rather shocked to get a quote for £580 including vat. Apparently the dent will require spot welding , filler, painting plus blending painting extending on to the front door and then lacquering. Naively and with no knowledge on these things I had thought the dent would just be pushed out from behind with no need for painting ! I am attaching a photo and would be glad for any comments. Although I am very upset that my new van is already injured one thought that crosses my mind is should I leave it for a while ? Then if it happens again I would get both done at the same time! I am always very careful where I park and I try and park next to another expensive vehicle . I don't like that idea at all but if it happens again I will get extra upset.
Here is the image of the dent
There is just one dent which is the wide mark immediately below the circular mark.
Many thanks for any comments as I am surprised by the work involved in such a small dent.

 

[Rodney]

I feel your pain, it is a problem with these vans, I have collected about 4 very small dents, all around the van from other car park users, we now use another car when shopping and just avoid small parking spaces altogether when out in van,

 

[Soton Campers]

Really can't tell from that picture but worth giving your local painless dent repair company a call. Just Google "painless dent repair near me" and it'll show up.

 

[Alan Andrews]

Really can't tell from that picture but worth giving your local painless dent repair company a call. Just Google "painless dent repair near me" and it'll show up.

I think this should read "Paintless dent repair …"

If you get the right person (rely on excellent feedback only) then this can be pushed out.

To watch these guys work is a marvel, but beware that there are some cowboys out there who are jumping on the bandwagon!

 

[Legin]

You need to see if the paintless repair people can do it. If you go to a conventional repair shop then your deffo going to get the quote you did. The main issue for paintless will be if the metal is stretched or not. Har d to tell from a picture but i say would be better than 50/50 odds.

 

[Jonlethbridge]

I feel your pain, it is a problem with these vans, I have collected about 4 very small dents, all around the van from other car park users, we now use another car when shopping and just avoid small parking spaces altogether when out in van,

I think you are right. After all we don’t see many high end cars Rolls, Bentleys etc parked in public car parks!

You need to see if the paintless repair people can do it. If you go to a conventional repair shop then your deffo going to get the quote you did. The main issue for paintless will be if the metal is stretched or not. Har d to tell from a picture but i say would be better than 50/50 odds.

Thank you. Just learnt a little about Paintless Dent Repair on google. Seems like I definitely need to get them to look and quote. There is a local mobile company and I feel a little hopeful. If there is no paint damage and no angular edges there are kits that can lift some dents using a glue. I will report back after I have had their opinion. Thanks for that suggestion. Very helpful idea!

 

[Soton Campers]

I think this should read "Paintless dent repair …"

If you get the right person (rely on excellent feedback only) then this can be pushed out.

To watch these guys work is a marvel, but beware that there are some cowboys out there who are jumping on the bandwagon!

Ha ha..yep...goddam auto correct!

 

[Borris]

Would be interested to know experience and advice of others. Last weekend I washed and polished my 69 plate van that I have had just three months, and there was no dent. Two days later my neighbour who has a Transporter van for work pointed out a small 3 inch vertical dent about 5 inches from the front of the sliding door.
I thought repair of such a small dent might be just a couple of hundred pounds. I have had a quote from a smart looking body shop and was rather shocked to get a quote for £580 including vat. Apparently the dent will require spot welding , filler, painting plus blending painting extending on to the front door and then lacquering. Naively and with no knowledge on these things I had thought the dent would just be pushed out from behind with no need for painting ! I am attaching a photo and would be glad for any comments. Although I am very upset that my new van is already injured one thought that crosses my mind is should I leave it for a while ? Then if it happens again I would get both done at the same time! I am always very careful where I park and I try and park next to another expensive vehicle . I don't like that idea at all but if it happens again I will get extra upset.
Here is the image of the dentView attachment 53557
There is just one dent which is the wide mark immediately below the circular mark.
Many thanks for any comments as I am surprised by the work involved in such a small dent.

Having had small dents repaired before that figure doesn't sound too far off the mark if it involves paint etc. What with the cost of the materials, time, overheads, profit and VAT it doesn't take much damage to create a bill like that.

Whilst it's difficult to see from your photo, it looks like the paint isn't damaged at all. The dent also looks quite small with no creases. I suspect that a repairer would probably use glue gun fixings to gently pull that out maybe with a little taping down here and there. You could try it yourself if you were feeling brave. You can get the kits on Ebay quite cheaply and there are lots of videos on Youtube on how to go about it. However, I suspect you won't want to do that on a 69 plate van. I'd try one of the National companies that specialise in minor body work repairs. If the paint isn't marked and the panel not creased then they should be able to do it for a much more reasonable price. In the end I suppose it will come down to how much the metal has been stretched.

Good luck

 

[owen_h]

I can recommend this guy: https://andyjewell.com/ who removed 3 small dents from my Cali a year after I got it. (Always seems to be early in a vehicles life that the minor dents & scratches occur ). The dents that he could access from inside the panel are now invisible. There was one in the nearside panel that had to be pulled out using the glue gun fixings. I can still just about see it if I look carefully in bright light but that is being very very picky.
Now based in Southampton and says covers as far east as Chichester so might need to travel if you did want to use him.

 

[Amarillo]

I consider things like this part of the character of an aging van. Amarillo has an attractive ding in the front wheel arch from a gentle prang into a wooden car park marker at Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro western Sicily. Everytime I see that ding I have delicious memories of that holiday.

 

[Jay20cali]

Things like this chap my arse and I definitely do not see it as character.or the van aging especially on a 69plate.
if you did every dent yourself then maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as there’s only you to blame for your mistakes ......but carpark dents are infuriating when some disrespectful arse wipe slams there door into your pride and joy and couldn’t care less..

 

[Adamvanman]

I'd just live with it, you will only get another one a few months later anyway. I get all my bodywork repairs done in one go just before I advertise the van for sale.

 

[Billywizz]

I consider things like this part of the character of an aging van. Amarillo has an attractive ding in the front wheel arch from a gentle prang into a wooden car park marker at Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro western Sicily. Everytime I see that ding I have delicious memories of that holiday.
[/QUOT

Things like this chap my arse and I definitely do not see it as character.or the van aging especially on a 69plate.
if you did every dent yourself then maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as there’s only you to blame for your mistakes ......but carpark dents are infuriating when some disrespectful arse wipe slams there door into your pride and joy and couldn’t care less..

very true I couldn’t agree more! I’d look at that dent and be reminded of some inconsiderate twat with no respect! Giving the van character???? NO

 

[hirsty]

This drives me nuts, and in turn I send my family crackers circling all car parks twice & parking in the quietest corner & usually farthest from the entrance.

People pay big money for gym subs & obsess over Fitbit step counts, but fortunately also won't walk across a Tesco car park.

Fingers crossed for my pristine 65-plate, but I'm only delaying the inevitable ...

 

[calicalling]

To be told that it required spot welding is total non-sense and I speak as an apprentice served panel beater. As suggested, try a paintless dent repairer.

 

[nputtick]

Looks entirely suitable for a paintless dent repair to me, as long as they can get a tool in behind the door panel. Have had several done on other cars, usually the charge is about £75. Dentwizard is another name to google. Usually the operator can tell from a photo if it’s likely to be possible.

 

[andrew bazeley]

I'ver always said about any cars that the first dent/scratch is the worst. After that; hey ho - that's life! My Cali is nearly 12 years old now, and there are just three tiny dents. No-one but me notices them. If ever I sold it, I'd get someone over to fix all three in one go - then it's worth the cost.

 

[Jonathan Caira]

I had some similar dents removed on my Cali using PDR and had amazing results, I didn’t even realise these type of repairs were possible so would definitely recommend trying this option first. I used a company in Essex called Dent Devils.https://www.dentdevils.co.uk/services/mobile-paintless-dent-repair

 

[Jonlethbridge]

To be told that it required spot welding is total non-sense and I speak as an apprentice served panel beater. As suggested, try a paintless dent repairer.

Thanks. I hadn’t heard of pointless repair before but thanks to Vw California club I am now well advised to get a new quote from paintless repairs. Feel more hopeful now!

 

[Jonlethbridge]

Looks entirely suitable for a paintless dent repair to me, as long as they can get a tool in behind the door panel. Have had several done on other cars, usually the charge is about £75. Dentwizard is another name to google. Usually the operator can tell from a photo if it’s likely to be possible.

Thanks very much.i am definitely going to get paintless quote!

 

[Jonlethbridge]

I had some similar dents removed on my Cali using PDR and had amazing results, I didn’t even realise these type of repairs were possible so would definitely recommend trying this option first. I used a company in Essex called Dent Devils.https://www.dentdevils.co.uk/services/mobile-paintless-dent-repair

Thanks. I will let you all know the result of new quote after I get back from Glencoe trip starting next week.

 

[Grumpy Mike]

I got dent and wheel insurance with mine when it was new. I got a dent in the drivers door just on the crease line at the bottom. I rang the insurance. They sent out a guy who was to fill and paint. To be fair to him he painted a scratch on the bumper and did a great job. He and I decided not to fill so we got their paintless guy to attend. He explained some of the paintless guys wont touch slightly more technical stuff like mine on the crease. He however drilled a hole under the door for access and spent about 2 hrs knocking out the dent. Unbelievable job. Cant see it. I chatted with him and he does private jobs... So I would recommend PDR but dont give up, you just need a more skilled/older guy, not a kid who just wants the easy jobs.

 

[Amarillo]

Thanks. I hadn’t heard of pointless repair before but thanks to Vw California club I am now well advised

I nominate this for malapropism of the year.

 

[Jonlethbridge]

I got dent and wheel insurance with mine when it was new. I got a dent in the drivers door just on the crease line at the bottom. I rang the insurance. They sent out a guy who was to fill and paint. To be fair to him he painted a scratch on the bumper and did a great job. He and I decided not to fill so we got their paintless guy to attend. He explained some of the paintless guys wont touch slightly more technical stuff like mine on the crease. He however drilled a hole under the door for access and spent about 2 hrs knocking out the dent. Unbelievable job. Cant see it. I chatted with him and he does private jobs... So I would recommend PDR but dont give up, you just need a more skilled/older guy, not a kid who just wants the easy jobs.

Thanks very interesting. I wondered how they get access to the dent - drill a small hole it seems.

 

[Pips Dad]

I feel very sorry for you as I have had similar problems in the past with damage caused by morons who don’t understand the damage caused by bumping their car door into the adjacent vehicle in a car park. All doors have two point spring settings to stop them floating about when opened and this is sometimes the trouble as, when the door is opened, it moves with some force and if people ignore this, it can very easily damage the paintwork of any vehicle close by.
I have had two repairs done in the past couple of years ( not on my Cali) by smart repairers and whilst they generally did a good job it was never as good as the original finish.
I guess I am fussy about my vehicles appearance whilst others see the ‘cars’ as a lump of metal and take no pride in condition. It’s a funny old world!