Visit our Popular Forums

flyguy · 03-17-2007, 09:12 PM

Hi everybody,

I'm in the process of getting our 2006 Bambie 19 ft. Safari in shape for the summer. There is a large dent on the street side of the trailer in the rear to the left and above the rear window

. The aluminum has not been punctured and I would like to know what is the best way to repair it. We feel that some dings are a sign of characture but this one way past characture. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks, Flyguy

Boondocker · 03-17-2007, 09:15 PM

Best thing to do would be to post a couple pics showing the dent. As I understand it dents are impossible to make perfect because the metal stretches and creases are forever as well. But I wouldnt want to be quoted on that. In any case, pics will make it easier for the ones in the know to help. Good luck.

Astrodokk · 03-17-2007, 10:20 PM

I have a few on my moho and I was going to leave them be, but my brother told me to try the suction repair that alot of shops are doing these days. I haven't yet, but I'm willing to go for an evaluation. They may not be able to if the aluminum stretches as has been said here.

flyguy · 03-19-2007, 10:30 PM

Thanks for your input. The dealer is going to see if it can be suctioned out. I hope that this works. If not they said to really repair it would cost $2200.00. Ouch!! I'll see what comes of the suction job and thenmaybe just chalk it up to character.

Thanks again

Flyguy

AZstreamin · 03-19-2007, 11:27 PM

good god are you kidding me... $2200 of dent is not character it's an insurance claim. Its brand new why wouldn't you fix it?

Royce · 03-20-2007, 07:21 AM

I agree with Azstreaming. Insurance claim.

If you decide to pull, suction may not be the best way. The key to dent removal is to reverse the process in slow motion. You may not get the dent anyway but at least you have a better chance. Suction doesn't have enough finesse to do that unless the dent is just the right size. I always pull from the outside edge and then work my way to the middle. First in last out. Hot melt glue and many contact points. Pull a little at a time from each point. Gentle and go slow. Zen sorta of thing.

pmclemore · 03-20-2007, 10:37 AM

I bought my dent "used". I decided to leave it as a beauty mark.

Pat

Fyrzowt · 03-20-2007, 11:37 AM

There have been some related threads on this issue that you may find if you search.
Some methods that reportedly work are toilet plungers or other suction type devices. I think if you try to do it yourself, I would do it on a warm/hot day or use a heat lamp to warm the skin. Then try to pull it out working from the edge toward the middle as mentioned above. Buy or borrow a suction handle such as used for attaching to sheets of glass for carrying. They aren't that expensive and have a suction release lever.

Having said that, I am also of the opinion that you should go the insurance route if that is an option for you.

Dave

enduroryda · 03-20-2007, 11:48 AM

Be careful using the hot melt glue method such as "The Ding Doctor"..you can over compensate when it doesn't release and can make things worse. It does work pulling them out though...I've used both methods and would have rather worked it from the inside out if I could have gotten to the area. Also be sure the area is perfectly clean if you are going to go with the suction cup method...fine particles of dust will scratch the clearcoat.

Lumatic · 03-20-2007, 12:12 PM

I have pulled out some basketball size dings with my ding king and have been pleased with the results. Not perfect, but about 90%.

Don in E Texas · 03-20-2007, 03:06 PM

I not only had a ding, I had a rather large ding - plus the lower part of the trailer had fallen off.

I found a local body shop that replaced both lower, front, sections using rear fenders off a 1987 ford PU truck (PERFECT curve fit!) and also took care of the huge dent (dent caused by me backing up blind and truck hit the front of the trailer). After dent was repaired, the entire front area was painted aluminum and brushed while still wet. Then clear coated. You can't tell it from brand new - and has lasted now for 4 years. Total cost? $600.00

Worked great for me.

handn · 06-08-2007, 09:48 AM

A coconut fell on the front of the roof of my Safari when we were in Mazatlan. I think I can get at the dent and will try pushing it out from the inside, slowly. If that doesn't work, I will try the dent puller idea, again slowly and let everyone know the results.

Fyrzowt · 06-08-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handn

A coconut fell on the front of the roof of my Safari when we were in Mazatlan. I think I can get at the dent and will try pushing it out from the inside, slowly. If that doesn't work, I will try the dent puller idea, again slowly and let everyone know the results.

I watched a body shop friend fix a small dent on my car. He was able to access it from the under side. Working from the outer part of the dent in a circular fashion toward the center, he slowly pushed it out with a smooth tool, no paint damage. Don't try to push it all out at once.
Dave

AYRSTRM2 · 06-08-2007, 10:01 AM

What the heck is going on here?

Fyrzowt · 06-08-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYRSTRM2

What the heck is going on here?

Not sure what you mean. I went back to my post to edit/add something - would that cause whatever you saw??
Dave

Silvertwinkie · 06-08-2007, 10:10 AM

Yea, I agree, this is an insurance claim. Hopefully it can be pulled out a bit using suction, but if not......

AYRSTRM2 · 06-08-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

Not sure what you mean. I went back to my post to edit/add something - would that cause whatever you saw??
Dave

No, it was the coconuts and the Ford Fenders that bogled my mind. Back to thread, then.

rjd · 06-08-2007, 12:25 PM

Has anyone had success removing dents by hireing a mobile paintless dent removal service?

yukionna · 06-08-2007, 12:31 PM

Check out this thread on dent removal: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f4/e...air-32542.html

I posted a before and after photo of my dent on that thread. I removed the the dent using a $5 dent puller. If you go that route, use the "zen" technique described in an early post to this thread, i.e., slow, easy, circular motions from the outside in. It worked for me! Good luck!