Dent Repair, DIY or PDR?

Jackknifed the trailer into the side of my bed and came up with this nasty dent. Very noticeable and I'd like to get it fixed. Got a quote from a reputable shop of over $900, which seems crazy high, although bodywork is far from my expertise. Any idea if this is something manageable for a novice like myself, or if I should take it to a PDR. What would you expect the cost to be?

 

Hammer some 2X4's up there and see if you can pop it out. That's always been my first go to, then go from there.

 

Nope, thats not a DIY dent. Its on a body line, so that makes it much harder to get right. PDR might not even be able to do anything here either because of the body line.


But if you want to try it, go from the inside, and pound out the body line first. Have some one to push down on the top part of the dent where its sticking out. That will give you the best results.

 

Not surprised with that quote honestly. It's right on a hard body line. PDR might be able to get it since the paint isn't chipped or damaged but with that line on the fender it might be a tough one. Sorry about the luck on that one, sucks when our small mistakes do just enough to piss us off. Body work is always pricey it seems, I had a gal bump into me on at a stop light and cracked some plastic on my tundra.... $4700 later I was shocked it cost that much to repair but I guess it is what it is. You could always just try to DIY it with a kit from the parts store. might be able to get it a little way out.

 

edit: completely misread post. Ignore

 

The body line is what will be tricky.
A good PDR guy can probably get most of it out.

I’d probably try to DIY the biggest part. And live with what I can’t get out.
I’m not one to let a dent bother me “too much”.

 

Try PDR first. Those folks can be really impressive.

 

Exactly agreed I have seen them do pretty amazing stuff! And coming from a body background the factory paint on vehicles is best I’d try to do what ever you can to salvage it. If you decide not to go with a paintless repair that quote is about correct...nothing is cheap anymore. Materials and doing the job right add up fast! Good luck

 

$900 doesn't sound bad. I normally like PDR, but if you want it back nearly perfect,,, I don't think I'd take the gamble. On that line/crease is a B.

 

Thanks for all the replies, I realized that most of that quote was for paint and decal/rocker panel replacement, but about $370 of it was for actual labor. I found a true PDR place ("true" meaning they quoted without including paint lol) who said they could do it for $360. That sounds much more affordable, however I'm hoping that it is actually manageable to repair without paint.

 

Risk and reward,,,, only you can decide.
To me- to save $540, isn't enough savings to gamble, when there's a decent to good chance, you'll be right back at the body shop.

 

must have been a slow jacknife... were you backing it up?

for me its not worth fixing but i dont need a pristine truck

 

I feel like "gamble" would be a bit overstated, when the $540 saved is due to paint. Its not like I'm taking it to a buddy down the street type thing, Its a reputable shop that quoted with confidence that paint wouldn't be needed vs. a reputable shop that quoted to do body work followed by paint. Maybe that's just my internal justification, however I feel like if they're truly a good PDR, they would do their best and then call and explain if it had to be further manipulated and repainted.

 

$900 is dirt cheap to repair that. Too much damage for a PDR guy. If you attempt to repair yourself, that will make the body shop's job harder. I'd let a professional repair that. 20 years doing auto body, good luck.

 

There you go, you answered your own question. Good luck, hopefully the PDR hits your mark.

 

I wasn't going to throw him under the bus, but he's giving me a hard time on something else today.... My dad actually was the one who jackknifed the trailer. He actually didn't even know it and explained he had no idea how the dent got there. About 2 weeks later after he got his new suv, he said that's probably what he did, because he put a dent in his suv in roughly the same area. Mom has now vowed to get out and help him back up until he improves his skillset lol.

 

lol backing up with a trailer is like applying caulk. Some people do it effortlessly and others screw it up royally.

 

I see you're in Tampa. PM me brother... I've got a PDR guy in Clearwater that can help

 

do not try to diy, once you mess it up, stretch the metal incorrectly, you will be paying a professional more than the original quote. the dent is pretty big, on body line, and sharp for a 100% looking pdr repair. pay the professionals, buy once, cry once. (30 years, in the collision repair industry). it doesnt need the pre-repair scan (money grab), and you could opt to not replace the 4x4 OR decal... those combined, would save you another 125 bucks or more. sorry for the luck. just a learning experience. Ski