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banderabob · 03-12-2019, 07:03 PM

I just had this quoted at $4,300 with Olympic rivets from an AS dealer

Isuzusweet · 03-12-2019, 08:55 PM

To the OP.....

Murphy's law dictates the second you fix that corner, something will happen to the other corner.

We Airstreamers view that little crease as "patina".

As others have stated in not so many words; learning to live with what happens, is just easier on the soul.

It is also considered inappropriate to ask about damage to Airstreams.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

AtomicNo13 · 03-12-2019, 09:03 PM

Check that seam!

doctorlewis · 03-12-2019, 10:06 PM

Do not get it fixed. Just leave it alone. Last summer I had to have a side panel replaced and it cost $10,518.00. Any repair on the aluminum panels is expensive.

guskmg · 03-12-2019, 10:56 PM

Almost any aircraft mechanic can make you a neat patch and flush at that. OR try:
North Dallas RV (NDRV)/ Steve Beatie & Randy
2630 N I35
Carrolton, TX, 75007
972 242 0404
They are an authorized Airstream Repair only facility.
guskmg

wizardglass · 03-13-2019, 05:46 PM

Looks like a nice spot for a decal logo of your favorite football team....

wimpy · 03-13-2019, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rgentum

You should be able to pull out most (but unlikely all) of the dent with paintless dent removal (PDR) tools easily and cheaply acquired, for example, on Amazon. I've done this before will aluminum panels on my AS, and it works well although not perfectly.

Thanks for the link. Which of the myriad Amazon options would you recommend/did you purchase?

RichHog · 03-15-2019, 07:15 PM

Unfortunately all dents or panel replacements are not equal. On the one on my trailer it overlaps on two panels and the edge of the window rivets and the rib is pushed in slightly. Would love to find a repair place that would do it right but at half the cost as this isn’t an insurance claim. The picture posted above is after we tried dent removal. And a dent removal shop looked at that picture and declined a repair.

gator.bigfoot · 03-16-2019, 05:58 AM

Might be worth looking into PDR paintless dent repair. It's usually around a couple of hundred dollars. Sometimes they can get the out completely sometimes, but usually they can reduce it to point you can live with it.

Foiled Again · 03-16-2019, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator.bigfoot

Might be worth looking into PDR paintless dent repair. It's usually around a couple of hundred dollars. Sometimes they can get the out completely sometimes, but usually they can reduce it to point you can live with it.

Lots of good sense here. Check around and find someone who has worked on aluminum. If you can live with the leftover mark from the crease you've saved thousands. If it continues to bug you get a panel replacement as time and money allow.

Do it yourself tools.... well there is a learning curve and your first dozen attempts might be pretty crude... or just fine. I'd call someone with experience, or practice on scrap metal and your kid's bikes first.

If you go with dent removal, treat the rivets near the crease with Capt. Tolley's creeping crack cure, and recaulk the seam for about 4 inches on either side of the crease.

featherbedder · 03-16-2019, 12:35 PM

That looks like a very small ding, IMO ask for at least #1000.00 off price and leave alone. As stated above murhpys law will happen. Last July had street side front corner replaced. My AS is 1976 that I pur. new in 1977, until that time no rock dings etc. except small bump this panel, did not want to fix but wife wanted fixed.

First time out after replacement 6 huge rock dings that panel & that was on paved interstate not gravel rd. now looks worse than before repair.

stewartprice · 03-17-2019, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soonersalt

I'm looking at purchasing a used 2017 International with a dent in the rear left panel. Can this be repaired or are they replaced? What would be a the approximate cost of either?

Each panel is aprox $3600 so I would do a temp fix and live with it until it gets smashed again and then let the insurance cover it. Airstreams are dent magnets :-(. There is a great Airstream repair shop for metalwork in Sanford, FL if you ever get down that way.

SilverPal2 · 03-17-2019, 09:58 AM

If i appraised the trailer in it's current condition I would deduct $5,000 from the estimated value for visible damage as well as the hidden stuff that isn't visible.
James Polk ASA PE
www.polkvaluations.com

JDArmstrong · 03-17-2019, 10:08 AM

This is a very easy repair for any competent body shop that does paintless dent removal. It should cost anywhere between $200-$400 depending on the shop’s hourly rate. The crease can be removed, the panel DOES NOT need to be replaced.

I owned a large auto body shop for nearly 40 years and took care of dents like this all the time. It’s bread and butter type of work and not rocket science. If a shop tells you the panel needs to be replaced, go elsewhere. You don’t want to give them your business. Good luck!

sequoyah101 · 03-17-2019, 10:58 AM

Owning an Airstream is like towing an airplane through a minefield. They seem to be in search of anything that can damage them and repairing is time consuming and expensive and none of it easy. Kind of like an airplane. They are fragile.

NRFIII · 03-17-2019, 11:28 AM

I backed into a picnic table in the Yukon - $3500. A truck tire tread hit the left front on the freeway in Salt Lake City - $3500. Hit a tree branch with top while pulling into a camping spot - $3500. Blew a tire in Las Vegas and damaged the wheel well and exterior panel - $3500. Get it fixed and have it done right. Nothing worst than an AS with body damage.

Hight · 03-17-2019, 11:40 AM

2500.00 or more . I have same dent .colonail airstream quote 24 chang

NRFIII · 03-17-2019, 11:52 AM

Oh and by the way, there are no short cuts. No Dent Busters, no scab patches, no taking your hammer to it. Go to a good dealer that has done this work before and get the panel replaced. Period.

Howard L. · 03-17-2019, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soonersalt

I'm looking at purchasing a used 2017 International with a dent in the rear left panel. Can this be repaired or are they replaced? What would be a the approximate cost of either?

As said above, PDR is the way to go. AL is much more difficult to work with, but a "paintless dent repair" shop can do a good job for usually $100 per dent. That dent might cost more but a couple hundred should do it. You can buy a PDR kit on Amazon for less than $50. I have the equipment and have remover several dents in my 30 FC. You simply "hot glue" small plastic tabs on the dent and pull them out. Look on UTube for PDR "how to" videos. Work your best discount price on that trailer, bring it home and fix when you feel like it.