Need help estimating some body work. I want to attempt to fix it myself

[S Freud]

EDIT: Changed thread title to be more specific. I took the car to the body shop and they want a good chunk to fix it. I was wondering if anyone has every done this type of bodywork themselves. How did they do it, any good sites to look at?


I'm posting this wondering what the possibilities of me being able to fix this body damage would be. I've included pics below so you guys can get a good look at what I am up against here. I took it to a body shop here in town and they want a little over 3k to fix it.

Details...Girlfriend was driving home this past winter, she hit some ice and slid off the road, she hit a tree on the back passenger side damaging the body.

The car is a 2005 Honda civic four door.
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4
Pic 5
Pic 6 - This one I provided to show that the piece that is damaged is a body piece that runs most of the length of the passenger side, maybe why the body shop thought it would cost so much?

I'm just curios what I would need to fix something like this, tools, experience, time, etc. I'm not looking for a complete overhaul, just something nice then the way it looks now.

If you guys need further details or pictures let me know.

Thanks

 

[sjwaste]

I'd take it to multiple shops and get estimates. The biggest variables are going to be on paint and labor. The parts themselves to do that job usually aren't that costly. From your pics, it looks like you definitely need a new rear quarter panel and tail lens. Can't tell if the bumper cover is in decent shape, nor the trunk lid. We also can't tell if any suspension or frame/unibody damage exists. Did they say any of that?

Obligatory: That'll buff right out.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: S Freud
I'm posting this wondering what the possibilities of me being able to fix this body damage would be. I've included pics below so you guys can get a good look at what I am up against here. I took it to a body shop here in town and they want a little over 3k to fix it.

Details...Girlfriend was driving home this past winter, she hit some ice and slid off the road, she hit a tree on the back passenger side damaging the body.

The car is a 2005 Honda civic four door.
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4
Pic 5
Pic 6 - This one I provided to show that the piece that is damaged is a body piece that runs most of the length of the passenger side, maybe why the body shop thought it would cost so much?

I'm just curios what I would need to fix something like this, tools, experience, time, etc. I'm not looking for a complete overhaul, just something nice then the way it looks now.

If you guys need further details or pictures let me know.

Thanks

I'd say 2-3500 for that, depending on how much work needs to be done after final inspection.

The bumper is an easy fix...just get a new bumper. Same with the Taillight...if the rear quarter panel wasn't all fubard...that's why it's so much $$$.

 

[S Freud]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I should have been more specific. I want to try to fix the damage myself. Do you think this is possible?

sjwaste, Do you need more pictures of the car? Underneath? They didn't say anything about the suspension or frame, and the trunk and bumper are fine. The only part that is damaged is that rear panel and light.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: S Freud
Thanks for the replies guys.

I should have been more specific. I want to try to fix the damage myself. Do you think this is possible?

sjwaste, Do you need more pictures of the car? Underneath? They didn't say anything about the suspension or frame, and the trunk and bumper are fine. The only part that is damaged is that rear panel and light.

No, sorry, I don't think it's possible. Getting hit in the rear quarter panel is probably the worst place to get hit in a car, body-panel wise.

Why? Because it's not an easily replaced or repaired item. Either cutting and welding, or pulling and using body filler (or a combination of both) is involved.

If it was just the bumper and tailight then yeah, easy fix. Put that quarterpanel has got ya all messed up.