Best way to fix Dings, Dents and Creases

[figborg]

[Tbob]

Listen to Mike (Bulli Klinik). Work the dent at the body crease, and most if not all the rest of the dent will come out. As he said, nothing worse than trying to fiix something that a well intentioned owner has made worse. Because it is dented at a crease, I don't think any of the air bladder deals will work. A skrinking disk is used after the paint is already sanded off, and if I understand it right, you are trying to fix without repaint. If you have the time to research, there is a dreat book called "The Key to Metal Bumping, by Frank T. Sargent". It is available from Eastwood IIRC. Although an old book, and it goes into more detail about how to repair all kinds of dents, the first principles he gives should help you in your quest.
It may be that a good paintless dent guy may be the best answer. As much as I am a serious DIY guy, and I know that I could get 95 % of those dents out, to make it almost invisible takes skill and experience that I do not have. If you have not done much bodywork, that may be asking too much. Then again, you may be a bodywork savant.
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1969 Deluxe, owned since 1973
1973 Westfalia, owned since 1983
1980 Westfalia, watercooled conversion
1985 Westfalia, stock!
1986 Westfakia, Audi I-4 conversion
A couple of trucks and a couple of Jeeps

[Bulli Klinik]

Key to metal bumping.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7wfPfQU-fbhS3dURHpPRWloc28/edit

Getting the 95% is easy. It's the last 5% that takes 95% of the time.

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PM me about quality metal-work on your vehicle.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Butcher]

Very informative link. Thank you!

[dlm1897]

New Vanagon owner with a fresh dent. I'm sick to my stomach over here. Any advice on getting this out? Stopped by a local body shop to ask if it could be pulled out and they said no, and recommended bondo. Any help would be appreciated!

[Scubavw]

I bet you can find a body man that will pull that out.
I am no expert but it looks like it can be pulled.
The crease on the seam might be the problem.

[dlm1897]

[Wellington]

dim1897
that for sure can be repaired with minimal body filler.
The next shop you approach, explain to them that you will remove the interior giving full access to the rear of that panel. Likely the first body shop you went to say its a Westfalia, cabinets in the way, too much work, by the time he gives you a quote, he sees you gasping for air. Body shops want $$$ which they get from insurance claims.

[Bulli Klinik]

I had nearly the exact same damage on my Bus. Here's how I fixed it: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=80

I think a good PDR guy and low expectations would be your best bet. If you can't find anyone and your willing to remove the interior and bring it down, I could get it very close without painting or just a little touch up of the seam. That's a difficult area to metal finish unless you have very long arms.

The most important aspect of that repair is to make sure that the displaced seam sealer is replaced and that it's sealed up behind the panel as well.

I actually have some Aswan Brown leftover from painting my bike:

_________________
PM me about quality metal-work on your vehicle.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs