PDR Impossible? Roof Ding.

[Joesprocket]

Hey guys, I have a dent about 3 inches from the top of my wind sheild and in front of the sun roof that 2 PDR guys have said they're not interested in removing. They claim there's no access to get underneath without removing the headliner or they're afraid the glue method will pull the paint off. I understand their hesitation but wanted to get your opinion as well.  Any advice?

[bluebmw]

Looks like it shouldn't need any paint work, so PDR alone is possible. However, you'll have to remove the headliner for proper access. It could easily cost a grand when you're all said and done (including headliner removal and reinstallation). Not sure how much it bothers you, but it may be easiest/cost-effective to ignore (if it isn't a show-car).

[John_in_VA]

They might be able to attack that with the glue pulling process from the exterior.

[dang]

Glue might work, I've done similar dents in similar places, but the way the dent looks it might have loosened the paint a little.  I've pulled paint off before too.  But, if you pull the paint off you can fix it the old fashioned way with filter and paint.  Still cheaper than pulling the interior apart.

[Son of Marty]

They might be able to relive the bigger part of the dent but I would bet you would need to fill the 2 dimples,that metal looks pretty stretched IMHO. But I admit I don't keep up on the latest PDR techniques. 

[COOP]

If your car is cosmetically really nice (or if it just looks really nice through your eyes): Spend the coin and find a top-notch PDR guy to do the work right, even if you have to peel back the headliner. You'll be glad you did. I bet the result will be close to perfect.

 

BTW, what happened? Golf ball?

 

COOP

[Henning]

Here's what's from inside under your dent:

 

 

There's the recess for the crank and in case of a power sunroof a socket for the switch:

 

 

You should check the exact position of the dent before removing anything since perhaps it won't help.

Hope this helps...

 

hen

 

[TobyB]

Quote

that metal looks pretty stretched

 

Yup.  I think this one's in the 'live with it' category...

 

It's a poke.  Probably not done by a pig!

 

Easy to fill & paint... but that's real money.

 

t

[Harv]

Yea I think that dent in its location is going to be fixed the old fashioned way. At least you can just paint the roof and it will look great. 

 

John

[Vicleonardo1]

Maybe paint less dent removal? 

 T-Hotbox? 

Seems like a pretty slick dent removal device. Uses heat and a magnet. 

 

 

 

[TobyB]

I went down to PDX to get PDR PDQ, but the BOV went AFU, and now I'm SOL in TAC....

 

afaik,

 

t

 

[oldguy]

let me be the bad guy and suggest pulling it as much as you can...  then sanding the area..  skimming it with red bondo filler carefully and then using the dot brush method and touch up paint...  bet once it's wetsanded and buffed you couldn't see it unless you looked for it...  or drop the headliner and fix it properly..   still gonna look funky any way you try...