Fender Bender Hit and Run - Repair Opinions? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rick3000 · 10-09-2014, 05:11 PM

Hi Everyone,

This past Saturday, my 986 was involved in a hit and run fender bender. Some jerk backed into my drivers side front fender and did not leave a note. Even more bizarre, I was parked next to the handicap/no parking area directly in front of a store nose-first, and in the only spot not covered by cameras.

Because of all this I am on the hook for the repair, or at least my $1k deductible. I have some scraping/scratching and a sizable 4" x 4" dent. I am currently in the process of getting estimates, from a few shops. The first one was $920, to hammer the dent out and respray most of the front end.

Any thoughts on what to look out for, or things to make sure the body shop does or doesn't do? Do you think painless dent removal could be an option along with some serious buffing?

You can see the damage below. I am going to attempt to buff out the scrapes on Saturday.

Thanks for any tips/advice!

On the upside, at least now I have an excuse to get matching clear side markers.

rick3000 · 10-10-2014, 11:44 AM

Second estimate came in at $785, from the shop my insurance recommended. Although I think I could get them down to $600. They included things like a half hour of labor to remove the headlight, which is ridiculous. I am going to get some paintless dent removal quotes next.

Any opinions on whether painless dent removal could be an option here? Thanks!

Porsche9 · 10-10-2014, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

Second estimate came in at $785, from the shop my insurance recommended. Although I think I could get them down to $600. They included things like a half hour of labor to remove the headlight, which is ridiculous. I am going to get some paintless dent removal quotes next.

Any opinions on whether painless dent removal could be an option here? Thanks!

Definitely try paintless dent removal. The factory paint is going to be better then a respray. If you can find someone that knows what they are doing they can do some pretty amazing work. Good luck.

RandallNeighbour · 10-10-2014, 12:27 PM

I agree with Porsche9... try PDR. Shop for a guy or gal who's been doing it for 10+ years and they'll massage that sucker out and you won't even be able to tell it happened....

... provided the paint didn't crack. If it did you're screwed.

BoxsterSteve · 10-10-2014, 03:35 PM

+1 on the PDR.
I had a pea sized ding on the passenger door, a fairly large, but shallow dent in the clamshell; probably Speedster Hump related, and a monster of a door dent on our Odyssey repaired by a fella who does PDR all day at the nearby Toyota assembly plant. Quality work, reasonably priced ($140 for everything), and in-the-driveway service to boot.
Any small paintwork scratches you have left can be minimized by careful touch-up, wet sand & polishing. It's amazing what a good D/A polisher can accomplish.

rick3000 · 10-10-2014, 03:45 PM

Thanks for the recommendations, I think I am going to try the PDR first, or at least get some estimates. I have already received one via email by sending them a picture, and they quoted me $250.

Randall, is there anyway I can tell if the paint is cracked? There does not appear to be any visible cracking of the paint in or around the dented area.

BoxsterSteve · 10-10-2014, 04:01 PM

Rick, if the paint hasn't split from the impact, you're probably OK. You'd know; it would look like a cracked egg shell, maybe even with paint chips missing.

rick3000 · 10-11-2014, 09:38 AM

Thank you to everyone for your input/advice!

I am waiting for a few PDR people to get back to me with estimates (all of which have many years of experience), however I managed to clay bar/buff/polish out most of the scuffing. There is still a small line of scuffs along the crease of the wheel arch, with a slightly larger scuff directly below the dent.

The dent is relatively shallow (less than 1/2"), and there is very easy access to the back of the panel via the wheel well. I am hoping a good PDR guy can get it looking like new.

There was no damage to the rim, but I am going to have the rim, hub, and alignment checked when I replace my tires in the next month or two.

rick3000 · 10-14-2014, 12:48 PM

The painless dent removal guy just finished, it ended up taking about an hour and cost $225. One very small scuff just above the light, and besides that no indication the dent ever existed. Kept the original lacquer and avoided any bondo.

Thank you to everyone that provided input!