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nic danger · 02-02-2011, 12:03 PM

Any help on how to fix a dent in my trailer would be appreciated! It was made by a neighbor kid when he threw a softball at my pristine 2010 23FB Flying Cloud. Put about a 10: dent in the top left corner panel. Tried a suction device to pull it back but they dent is not quite even to get a grip. On the inside of where the dent would be is a storage cabinet and of course the inner aluminum skin. Any ideas on a way to "pull" this dent back out form the outside since access from the inside looks impossible. Thank you in advance!

Phoenix · 02-02-2011, 12:36 PM

This is especially painful when it happens on a new Airstream when you are standing there watching it happen. Back in the days when we didn't know about NOT parking on the downhill side of WalMart parking lots (they're flat in Phoenix, but in snow country, they're sloped to keep the water from pooling), we heard someone yell "Sorry..." and we looked across the parking lot to see a cart coming straight at our new Airstream at about 5-10 mph. We were extremely lucky that it hit the running board on our pickup (without breaking off our mirror or denting the doors), ricocheted off, and then slammed into the stone guard panel about a foot from the trailer door, where the cart came to a stop. I yelled "Hey!", and the woman jumped in her car and drove off.

Luckily, the only damage was a little skid mark in the door paint on our pickup, which rubbed off, and a 3-inch long crack in the stainless steel stone guard, which is barely noticeable.

Needless to say, we park in the top row of parking lots now and look around farther uphill to see what might come rolling down.

If you know which kid threw the softball, his dad might be picking up the tab to have the dent fixed at the repair shop. Otherwise, I'll wait and see how you fix this, as a big dent is inevitable with all of this smooth aluminum as a magnet for pokey, denty, scratchy things. They say those unique marks add character, but it sure hurts when you're standing there helpless watching that character being added.

28totow · 02-02-2011, 01:01 PM

Had a fellow AS'r back in to my 28' Int. CCD (2006) in Santa Fe this summer. Dented the street side stone guard and panel behind it. Jackson center said figure $1800 for any corner panel, plus $350 for the guard.

So you might want to track down the boy's parent.

**moosetags** · 02-02-2011, 01:02 PM

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your dent situation, a photograph of the dent would be very helpful in providing you with information as to the best course of action. Aluminum dents can be very tricky to deal with.

Brian

Gene · 02-02-2011, 01:22 PM

I can't resist: As Nic(k) Danger, Third Eye, you should be able to see what to do. You can change the spelling, but all Firesign Theater fans know who you really are. See you at the Giant Toad Market along with Rocky Rococo.

Good luck with the dent and your neighbor when you tell him about the dent.

Gene

alclad · 02-02-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

I can't resist: As Nic(k) Danger, Third Eye, you should be able to see what to do. You can change the spelling, but all Firesign Theater fans know who you really are. See you at the Giant Toad Market along with Rocky Rococo.

Good luck with the dent and your neighbor when you tell him about the dent.

Gene

and... if you lived here, you'd be home by now

Naper · 02-02-2011, 03:48 PM

Contact a professional dent repair company. They work wonders. Last year my F150 was caught in a hail storm. It looked like someone attacked it with a hammer. They pulled dents out of the roof and areas of the hood where they could not get at the back side by glueing tabs on the dint and working it out with special tools. When finished you would never know their was any damage.

Melody Ranch · 02-02-2011, 04:14 PM

An insurance company...yours and the neighbor kids parents. You all will not like the size of the bill....but, thats how it is. All those pullers and dent removal dohickies will not do that new Airstream justice.

Ambie '64 · 02-02-2011, 04:18 PM

Don't crush that dwarf, give me the pliers.

nic danger · 02-03-2011, 08:51 AM

Thanks to all of you for the support and advice! I especially loved the response from the three of you that know of Nic(k) Danger. Yes, How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all. Porgie tirebiter. Loved it when Nick strooled up to his office door and read the sign(Regnad Kcin)!

nic danger · 02-03-2011, 09:47 AM

I will get a pic and post it here next week. Thanks again to you all.

ventport · 02-03-2011, 09:52 AM

I would try a paintless dent removal professional first and have the kids parents foot the bill.

Foiled Again · 02-03-2011, 10:06 AM

It's recent and short - giving a variety of possibilities short of panel replacement. If the dent isn't creased you can get about a 97% fix. Sadly you will eventually get another one. It's almost better to get the first one and get over the stress of waiting for the shoe to drop.

If you can't get a satisfactory repair, I'd hit up the homeowner's policy of the neighbor. Normally they cover stuff the kids do.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...ler-61394.html

Happier trails!

Paula

garry · 02-03-2011, 10:15 AM

I read on a thread somewhere in the past where they use heat to pop dents back out and you could not tell it had ever been dented so it may not be a major fix.

Best of luck in a "you can never tell it happened" fix.