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hi guys, I have an NA im preparing for paint. looks like something in the boot has made a few dents in the PS rear panel and I was wondering any body guys had any tips other than hammer them in and apply bog

im new to body work and am finding the whole thing interesting, but its aint easy!

matt

For an outward dent you'll essentially need to shrink the metal, which usually involved some heat, a hammer and dolly, cooling, and a lot of skill.

The basic concept is that a dent involves both the middle bit of the dent, where the object caused it, and the area surrounding it, where the metal has ever so slightly stretched out to allow a dent to form.
The goal is to un-stretch that metal, leaving the panel pretty damn close to un-dented.

as far as actually doing it, do some googling and watch a few videos, then have a shot.

Worst case scenario you'll not be able to do it cleanly, in which case you'll move onto plan-B, which is the old "filler'n'paint makes me the panelbeater I aint"


But yeah. have a crack at it anyway.

Depends on size of dent- small dents can be pushed out by a pro dent man- dont hesitate to get a quote or 2- its by far the best way to do it. Hammering dents out is a recipe for disaster for amateurs because it usually stretches the metal and then it needs to be shrunk - pros may use oxy or they just do it gently and use panel beating equipment- you just will not learn the knack by someone telling you. Todays metal panels are thin and will deform very easily - if its stretched it has to be shrunk. Panel beating is very tricky. The prime way to learn about painting and panel beating is firstly read a book- i.e. photos and techniques and then may be take a look on U tube etc but it takes patience. They say practice with old panels but I doubt many folks actually take the advice. New paint also shows up imperfections so processes are all about careful preparation.

YouTube it.

If you're looking for a paintless dent repair anywhere near Sydney don't bother, they'll all be busy for the next two years or so dealing with the aftermath of last week's hailstorm!

the guy is in Canberra apparently.