How to fix tailgate dent?

[guest1060]

I have a 2006 Jazz and have just picked up a 6 inch diameter dent on my tailgate - just to the side of the left light cluster.  unfortuntely it is not on a flat part of the metal - it is on a horizontal fold.

I would like to try to knock the dent out. This will involve removing the door "lining".

Anyone tried this before?  Is it simply a question of removing a few screws?
 

[Ozzie]

If its only a gentle shallow dent, you could possibly pull it out with a dent puller, http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=dent+puller&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=14758438372942008468&sa=X&ei=R93jTrSTLsKEhQfVr9zfAQ&ved=0CJMBEPMCMAE

Failing that try Dentmaster but its worth trying a DIY attempt first, but I wouldn't use hammers on it or Dentmaster may not be able to repair it if the metal is too stretched.

Oz

[guest1060]

a friend of mine tells me that the lining to doors is nit screwed on - it is fixed with clips so I need to somehow remove it by unclipping it, ie forcing it off.  Rather not do this unless I knew exactly where the clips are.  Any ideas?

[guest1143]

The procedure is rather too much to list here, but Haynes manual 4735 gives full and clear instructions for removing trim panels.  I have found it an excellent manual for all aspects of Jazz maintenance and essential for almost any task you want to undertake.

[guest1060]

OK.  I removed the two plastic plugs on either side of the hand grip at the bottom of the door. Then, taking my life in my hands, I pulled the door liner away from the door.  Misplaced confidence combined with brute force.  Loud sound of cracking plastic.

Only to find that the hatch door has double-skinned metal in a number of places, making it imposible to hammer out the dent from the inside.

To replace door lining you line it up carefully and push it back into the metal. It is fixed by a number of plastic plugs which push in.  Unfortunately some of them will break in the process. All very flimsy.

Now I have a door with a dent and barely attached door lining.

[chrisc]

You can buy those plastic door lining clips from reupholsters.  They are meant to break, didn't you know that?  You are lucky its attached at all and didn't fall out the car the first time you opened the door

Let us know the cost of fixing the dent.  In Cape Town, "Dent Magic" usually charge the equivalent of £35.00.  They are quite good, especially for car-park trolley accidents and the occasional pedestrian I run over

[guest1060]

Unfortunately the dent is not fixable.  It coincides with a fold in the metal so cannot be pulled out using suction pullers.

£900 for a new hatch!  I don't feel particularly lucky.  I just know that 3 days after paying for a new rear hatch .............

[Ozzie]

Let a smart repairer have a look at it before committing to a new hatch, they can work wonders.