Bird strike repair

[almcate]

Have a bird strike directly above the letters of the AIRSTREAM nameplate. Hoping to avoid an expensive and lengthy shop repair. No hard crease, but it slightly deforms the letters lifting the edge of a couple letters. Is it reasonable to assume the letters are glued and not attached by rivets that might now be prone to leaks? Thinking that this might be popped with an inexpensive DYI suction cup dent puller... or failing that with something more sophisticated at a automotive body shop. Not the handiest guy, so looking for any advice or similar problems solved.

[CRH]

It can be made to look a whole lot better with a pneumatic dent puller.

Being that is a newer trailer, I would probably consult with the local paintless dent repair guy.

[SuperTrouper]

That was a big friggin' bird!

[dznf0g]

I think I would start with the inner tube/ shop vac method. See what pops.

[almcate]

Yep, it was a BIG bird...thinking maybe a hawk? Luckily a glancing blow off the corner of the cab's windshield (without TV damage) which took out some of the punch before it smacked into the AS.
Is there any concern about the loosened letters pulling free and creating a water entry point? Don't know if nameplate letters are attached through the skin on the backside or are glued to the skin surface; if the latter, any suggestions how to reglue after the dent is popped out?

[CRH]

I am pretty sure those letters are just held on by adhesive. You can reapply them with 3M VHB tape.

[starlite29]

This video (skip to 4:50) will likely answer your question about how the letters are attached:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lbz6gII-R4&t=315s

I bet that panel could be pushed or pulled near-perfect. If the inner tube trick doesn't work, you may need to consider removing the bedroom shelves and the interior panel to get access to push that out. Or, given that the interior panel is covered by the bedroom shelf, cutting a temporary access panel may also be an option.

[Gsmblue]

Definitely research “PDR” Paintless dent repair.

Call a few places local to you and ask if they have worked on Aorstreams/Aluminum . A good person will get that very nice. Don’t try on your own unless you are confident.