Body shop guys out there, dent in fender, repair or replace??

8354 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Nhcycle, Jul 15, 2017

PeanutsRU

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2017

So my neighbor just backed into the driver side front fender on my 2015 Outback :crying:. First new car I've ever owned. She is going to pay for the repair. I've gone to three different body shops for estimates, two want to pull out the, about a salad plate size, dent and then smooth any imperfections with body filler, one wants to replace the whole fender.

I'm not very happy about the thought of using body filler as I live in Tahoe and we get extreme temperature fluctuations and I'm worried that over time the filler may start to crack.

The body guys claim this is not a problem and that to get the fender off they have to pull the driver's door and trim pieces and that to get everything to line up again may be difficult.

Thought I would put it out the the FORUM and see what all of you had to say.

Any body shop guys out there that can chime in?

Thanks

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mjohnson

· #6 · Jul 13, 2017

PeanutsRU said:
The body guys claim this is not a problem and that to get the fender off they have to pull the driver's door and trim pieces and that to get everything to line up again may be difficult.

Speaking from experience with a repair on my OB, the fender comes off without removing the door. I had a bunch of work done and the fender had to be replaced, I dropped in one day to see the work in progress (which the shop manager was hesitant because some people don't understand the business and have a panic attack). I wanted to be sure it was being done as it should be (I'm not a body tech but do know enough and know how to spot shitty work). Anyways, fender was off, door still on and being prepped for paint at the time.

Bondo is good in winter climates if done right, I wouldn't worry about that.

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