Can this be bumped out?
#1
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Dana 60
Can this be bumped out?
I am wondering if this can be bumped out or do I have to get a whole new fender? The dent is no bigger then the size of a finger and its not deep. And the bumper can be buffed out I think. Detail people....what do u think?
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Car: 85 Monte Carlo SS...
Engine: T.P.I L98.
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Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi
Well from what I can see in your picture...which isn't much. Yes the bumper does appear that it can be buffed out, as long as no paint has been removed or deply scratched that is. As for the fender, it most likely can be straightened out if done carefully. But the paint may crack or peel even when doing this. What did you hit, or what hit you??? This may help understanding the damage a bit better. It looks like the marks are from a tire hitting it??
Last edited by Cruzin Kaz; 10-13-2003 at 05:24 PM.
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Car: 85 Monte Carlo SS...
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Axle/Gears: 3:73 Posi
You have to hate jacka$$es who do that to ya!! So does it appear to be caused by just a tire, or is that black paint??
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#8
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Dana 60
I think it was both maybe. Not sure. But it was enough to dent the fender where it meets the bumper by the width of my finger.
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Car: 86 Iroc
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Transmission: built 700r4
some mild rubbing compound sould do the trick, unless the paint has actualy been chipped, then you'll have to repaint (or touch it up for now).
bummer man, that sucks
bummer man, that sucks
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Originally posted by 91Bird305
I think it was both maybe. Not sure. But it was enough to dent the fender where it meets the bumper by the width of my finger.
I think it was both maybe. Not sure. But it was enough to dent the fender where it meets the bumper by the width of my finger.
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L V-6
Transmission: Fresh 700R4
wow the same thing happened to my 91 in the school parking garage last year except on the drivers side and it didn't dent the metal but i was able to buff out most of the nose with a buffer and some polish
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Dana 60
Sorry, didn't know there was a body forum. Thanks
As for the buffing, I will try that out on the bumper. But paint has chipped on the fender where the dent is at.
As for the buffing, I will try that out on the bumper. But paint has chipped on the fender where the dent is at.
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Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
If the paint was chipped down to the metal, put some kind of paint on it fast! The dent can probably be hammered out; since the fender's trashed already, give it a try. You might be able to reach the area from the back just by removing the inner plastic fender. Note the plastic rivets that hold the plastic inner fender to the metal outer fender- pull the center up with pliers, it'll pull up about 1/4 inch, then you can pull the rivet out with your fingers (or pry it up with a screwdriver if it's being difficult).
Practice first on a spare piece of sheet metal. You can buy sheet metal at Home Depot in their hardware aisle, a small sheet is $5. Buy a body hammer and a "heel dolly"- a flat dolly shaped like the heel of a shoe. Kick the sheet metal a few times, then practice with the hammer & dolly on it.
The big difference is, the sheetmetal won't support itself while you ding. Your fender has a shape to it, and it won't flop around while you're using the hammer/dolly on it. Try to leave the fender on the car while you work on it; it'll add extra support. You don't want to try to work a hammer & dolly while you also try to keep the fender from moving on the garage floor.
If it works out "close" but not perfect, a skim coat of Bondo is perfectly okay. Keep the thickness to an absolute minimum- max should be 1/8th inch... and that's almost too thick. The bad Bondo jobs are people just slapping 1/4 inch of filler into a huge dent. Metal should be sanded with 40 grit to give the bondo good "tooth" or "bite". And bondo, and most spray-can primers, are not waterproof! So don't leave bare bondo, or bare primer, on the car. Topcoat it with something.
Practice first on a spare piece of sheet metal. You can buy sheet metal at Home Depot in their hardware aisle, a small sheet is $5. Buy a body hammer and a "heel dolly"- a flat dolly shaped like the heel of a shoe. Kick the sheet metal a few times, then practice with the hammer & dolly on it.
The big difference is, the sheetmetal won't support itself while you ding. Your fender has a shape to it, and it won't flop around while you're using the hammer/dolly on it. Try to leave the fender on the car while you work on it; it'll add extra support. You don't want to try to work a hammer & dolly while you also try to keep the fender from moving on the garage floor.
If it works out "close" but not perfect, a skim coat of Bondo is perfectly okay. Keep the thickness to an absolute minimum- max should be 1/8th inch... and that's almost too thick. The bad Bondo jobs are people just slapping 1/4 inch of filler into a huge dent. Metal should be sanded with 40 grit to give the bondo good "tooth" or "bite". And bondo, and most spray-can primers, are not waterproof! So don't leave bare bondo, or bare primer, on the car. Topcoat it with something.
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Dana 60
Thanks A LOT tom. I appreciate the help. Do you think some touch up paint on the bare metal is fine for atleast a couple weeks?
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Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
No problem! Touch up would be cool; but it might not stick to bare metal. You might need some primer first. Your local parts store might have a book on bodywork, too... it's worth the $15.
#17
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You mentioned that the dent isn't major. Contact a reputable dent removal company and see what they'll charge. Ask the tech if he's willing to do it after work hours to save you some $$ and make some $$ for him.
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 3.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Dana 60
Yeah, I talked to my uncle who repairs wrecked cars and he pointed me in the direction of a good guy who would take the dent out and said for any of the other imperfections to put a VERY think lair of bondo on it. He said the black marks could be buffed out and if they are any deep scratches to do the same thing that I did with the dent. He said this guy would probably only charge me 200 bucks, compared to the 1278 bucks from the other shop. I will put before and after pics when its repaired.
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