Paintless Dent Removal? Possible?

cjrow · 08-02-2011, 03:52 PM

Looking for opinions and recommendations.

On Sunday night the wife and I went to dinner and valet parked our new space gray, 335i. When my wife went to work today, she noticed some scratches and a small dent on the right front portion of the bumper. We are still negotiating with the Valet company...I was, and still am, very bummed since the car is only 1 month old.

Can this type of damage be fixed via a paintless dent removal specialist? I realize that sanding, priming, and painting will be needed but I am asking about using a dent removal specialist vs. using a traditional body shop.

Has anyone else had this type of damage fixed using a paintless dent removal professional?

Any recommendations in the OC/Long Beach area?

Thanks in advance

rbtamms · 08-02-2011, 04:39 PM

That's a deep scratch & needs repainting. Paintless dent removal is only for metal sheets not plastic bumpers & I don't see any dents on your bumper.

I had a similar scratch but smaller when one day I picked up my Odyssey from Honda service. I told them to repair it because it happened while my van is in their parking lot. I thought they're going to repaint the whole bumper but only a portion where the scratches are. I don't know how they did it but they did a good job as if nothing happened.

So, if you're going to pay out of your pocket. Ask the body shop if they can repair only where the damage are. It will save you some money rather than painting the entire bumper.

ZURICH · 08-02-2011, 04:43 PM

Ditto metal pannels only, sorry!

nany82 · 08-02-2011, 05:10 PM

^^^^^What they said ^^^^^ Can't really tell from the pics but the bumper itself looks to be intact so your looking at just a paint job. A friend of mine drove my STI and backed up into a truck once and dented the bumper and messed up paint and my PDR guy couldn't touch it cause it's a plastic part.

cjrow · 08-02-2011, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the replies and the insight. Got a couple estimates from PDR guys who do repaints of the spot and for the whole bumper. Going to also get a few estimates from body shops to compare. Trying to remain calm...the valet company has been less than accommodating.

Envious Eric · 08-02-2011, 07:34 PM

talk to vince at dentsnomore.com

its a repaint, but he works with a pretty good bumper repair specialist.

Tell him Eric with Envious Detailing sent you

IancoleTX · 08-02-2011, 09:36 PM

Thats why nobody drives my car except me, most especially not a valet.

cjrow · 08-02-2011, 09:44 PM

I hear that...after this last episode, I'll park my own damn car!

gage · 08-02-2011, 09:55 PM

A little piece of advice, I work for bmwas a collision repair technican and I can tell you the best thing to do is to go to the dealer and see if they have a body shop or where's the closest certified bmw shop. This way may cost a little more but bmw colors are tricky to spray, they will blend it and make it look like it never happend and it shouldn't cost to much, butyou will have you car looking as good as the day you drove it off the lot and it won't void any warrenty.

cjrow · 08-02-2011, 10:58 PM

Thanks for the advice...I will definitely do that...

1bad335 · 08-02-2011, 11:06 PM

Two things, maybe 3. First sorry that you got shafted by the valet. lesson learned there. 2, there is no way possible to void your warranty by getting your bumper fixed at an outside the network BMW shop

. That is some bad advice right there. 3 and final ask any of the Cali members here that have had paint work where to go and then go check them out for price. I just had my Black Sapphire bumper resprayed for some similar type damage. Asked for reccomendations on this site and was pointed to a great shop. He did the job last week. Not only was the color spot on but it was perfect and looked like I just rolled out of the showroom. Price was insanely affordable.

08-02-2011, 03:52 PM	#1
cjrow New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i -- Space Gray Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Paintless Dent Removal? Possible? Looking for opinions and recommendations. On Sunday night the wife and I went to dinner and valet parked our new space gray, 335i. When my wife went to work today, she noticed some scratches and a small dent on the right front portion of the bumper. We are still negotiating with the Valet company...I was, and still am, very bummed since the car is only 1 month old. Can this type of damage be fixed via a paintless dent removal specialist? I realize that sanding, priming, and painting will be needed but I am asking about using a dent removal specialist vs. using a traditional body shop. Has anyone else had this type of damage fixed using a paintless dent removal professional? Any recommendations in the OC/Long Beach area? Thanks in advance Attached Images
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08-02-2011, 04:39 PM	#2
rbtamms Major 63 Rep 1,450 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 and 2013 F25 Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 328i [0.00]	That's a deep scratch & needs repainting. Paintless dent removal is only for metal sheets not plastic bumpers & I don't see any dents on your bumper. I had a similar scratch but smaller when one day I picked up my Odyssey from Honda service. I told them to repair it because it happened while my van is in their parking lot. I thought they're going to repaint the whole bumper but only a portion where the scratches are. I don't know how they did it but they did a good job as if nothing happened. So, if you're going to pay out of your pocket. Ask the body shop if they can repair only where the damage are. It will save you some money rather than painting the entire bumper. Last edited by rbtamms; 08-02-2011 at 04:47 PM..
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08-02-2011, 04:43 PM	#3
ZURICH Major 41 Rep 1,153 Posts Drives: E91 320d Touring M Sport Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wettingen iTrader: (0)	Ditto metal pannels only, sorry! __________________ M Sport Package, (PDC), front / rear, Cruise control Mystic Blue Metallic, Beige Dakota leather, Alarm, Automatic transmission, Panoramic glass roof, Heated Seats, Lumbar etc etc "I don't Fuck around but when I do, I dont fuck around"
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08-02-2011, 05:10 PM	#4
nany82 Private 3 Rep 92 Posts Drives: in the left lane Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0)	^^^^^What they said ^^^^^ Can't really tell from the pics but the bumper itself looks to be intact so your looking at just a paint job. A friend of mine drove my STI and backed up into a truck once and dented the bumper and messed up paint and my PDR guy couldn't touch it cause it's a plastic part.
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08-02-2011, 06:24 PM	#5
cjrow New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i -- Space Gray Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies and the insight. Got a couple estimates from PDR guys who do repaints of the spot and for the whole bumper. Going to also get a few estimates from body shops to compare. Trying to remain calm...the valet company has been less than accommodating.
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08-02-2011, 07:34 PM	#6
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	talk to vince at dentsnomore.com its a repaint, but he works with a pretty good bumper repair specialist. Tell him Eric with Envious Detailing sent you
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08-02-2011, 09:36 PM	#7
IancoleTX Dillo boxers 272 Rep 3,360 Posts Drives: 2019 M5C Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (14)	Thats why nobody drives my car except me, most especially not a valet. __________________ 2019 M5C Matte MBB / Tartufo
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08-02-2011, 09:44 PM	#8
cjrow New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i -- Space Gray Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	I hear that...after this last episode, I'll park my own damn car!
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08-02-2011, 09:55 PM	#9
gage Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 550i gt Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	A little piece of advice, I work for bmwas a collision repair technican and I can tell you the best thing to do is to go to the dealer and see if they have a body shop or where's the closest certified bmw shop. This way may cost a little more but bmw colors are tricky to spray, they will blend it and make it look like it never happend and it shouldn't cost to much, butyou will have you car looking as good as the day you drove it off the lot and it won't void any warrenty.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2011, 10:58 PM	#10
cjrow New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i -- Space Gray Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the advice...I will definitely do that...
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08-02-2011, 11:06 PM	#11
1bad335 Captain 15 Rep 606 Posts Drives: 2007 335I/ 2012 335I sportline Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	Two things, maybe 3. First sorry that you got shafted by the valet. lesson learned there. 2, there is no way possible to void your warranty by getting your bumper fixed at an outside the network BMW shop . That is some bad advice right there. 3 and final ask any of the Cali members here that have had paint work where to go and then go check them out for price. I just had my Black Sapphire bumper resprayed for some similar type damage. Asked for reccomendations on this site and was pointed to a great shop. He did the job last week. Not only was the color spot on but it was perfect and looked like I just rolled out of the showroom. Price was insanely affordable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote