How to go about fixing a dent in my new car? :( :( :(

[Philly C]

Well, a year old, but relatively new. Anyway I was driving along and I was trying to find out what was making this rattling sound in my car when I suddenly saw the car ahead of me a little late. Braked as hard as I could but coulnd't make it. So we got out and looked and fortunately there was no damage on the other guy's car. See, I hit the Honda CRV's spare tire so the dent is really just a dent. No paint damage. So overall, I guess I was lucky that there isn't that much damage and that the guy won't make me pay for anything. Now I have this palm sized dent on the front of my hood. No grill damage though. So how would I go about fixing this? Do I take it to a body shop that specializes in certain car brands (my car is a Volvo S40 BTW) or do I just take it to any repsectable body shop? Or the dealer? I really have no idea. Ok ok, yea I'm 18 and this is my first car that my parents bought for me blah blah blah. Make fun of me all you want but all I care about is fixing this dent (and the way I drive...gotta pay more attention dang it!) Also any idea what I (or rather my parents) would be paying to fix it? I certaintly learned a valuable lesson from this. I'm kinda scared to drive now.

 

[Harrald]

I would try a decent body shop for an estimate. Then go to the dealer and see what they would charge you. Most likely the dealer is just going to send it out to a body shop and collect a fee for being the middle-man.

Check a few places and see what they will do for you. While you are there look inside the shop. See if it's clean, how many people work there and the quality of the work that's almost done.

Trying to fix it yourslef isn't something you want to try on a new car. Body work sucks and isn't an easy thing to learn on your own.

 

[Dealtarget]

You can take it to any body shop and just ask them to "Hammer and Dolly" it out. Otherwise you will have to grind, bondo, sand, clean, prime, paint, and buff that sucker! It will not look new but it will look better and save your wallet.

Good luck!

 

[Paulson]

I have the perfect idea.

You just cut a hole in the front, and make it look like a sports car.

 

[Emulex]

yah try the paintless dent removal places. Only $2-300 and you'll be looking like new.

pay attention to the road next time!

 

[bacillus]

<< I was trying to find out what was making this rattling sound in my car >>


did you find out what was making the noise??

 

[bacillus]

double post!

 

[freebee]

You would be surprised what a good body shop can do these days. Let them take a look at it, i doubt it would be very expensive to repair.

 

[Soujiro]

No no no, you got it all wrong paulson. He's supposed to use the dent! Tell everyone you hit some old lady crossing the street. Then everyone will think you're tough and leave you alone.

 

[Philly C]

LOL. Anyway thanks for the responses guys. I dunno what was rattling. I think it was the radio or something. Not quite installed tight enough or something. Will the &quot;hammering and dolly&quot; way look bad? I mean HOW noticable will the repair be? Oh well, at least it will look better than a dent no?