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Guest
Anonymous Poster
May 28, 2008, 7:30 PM
Post #1 of 6
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PDR vs Body Replacement
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Hey everyone,
Recently my brand new (2 month old) 2008 Honda Accord was in a really big hail storm and I'm trying to figure out how to fix it. It's pretty badly dented from what I can tell - probably like 50-75 dents total. I brought it to the body shop of the dealership where I bought the car and he said to replace the roof, hood, and trunk panel, totaling almost $7000. I then brought it to a collision center where insurance claims adjusters were reviewing lots of cars in the area (Austin, Tx). They said they didn't need to replace any parts and could fix it all with PDR (cost $4200).
I have insurance so cost doesn't really matter to me.
My question is: should I just use PDR to fix it all or get all these parts replaced. The insurance guys said that PDR would be better because replacing parts can lead to wind leaks and welding that isn't as good as factory. Also the paint won't be as well matched. They also said the inside of the car will get extremely dusty since the roof will be off for a long period of time.
Do any of you know the pros and cons of PDR vs replacement? Again, insurance is going to pay, so price doesn't matter to me.
Thanks!
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Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 28, 2008, 7:57 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: PDR vs Body Replacement
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My car.....
New hood,new trunk panel,
PDR the roof...I'm not a fan of replacing roofs unless absolutely necessary.
Depending on the severity of the damage...how much the metal was "stretched"..pdr should be able to repair the roof...I would seek out an expert pdr guy first and have him look at it and determine whats best for "your" vehicle.
I wouldnt worry about wind noise/water leaks,quality body shop should be able to replace these panels with out worry.
Again,quality body shop can refinish the panels to match no problem...they blend the panels in ..
As far as inside dusty,that happens to all cars in a body shop..every insurance estimate i have ever dealt with will have money for a complete detail ..and if it didnt,i would call for an add on and they would add it to the estimate.
You didnt mention the fenders or rear quarter panels,are they ok?
Thats my opinion
Good luck
Jim
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
May 28, 2008, 11:03 PM
Post #3 of 6
(3471 views)
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Re: PDR vs Body Replacement
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Fenders didn't have any damage. Rear quarter panels are PDR in both estimates.
The quote includes a cost for "Denib and Polish". Any idea if that means interior is cleaned as well? If not I'll call about a detail.
As far as finding a quality shop to do the work... How do you know if it's good or not? I'd be looking in Austin/Houston area if anyone has any idea.
Thanks for the reply.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2008, 2:04 AM
Post #4 of 6
(3469 views)
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Re: PDR vs Body Replacement
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Ditto with Jim. PDR = bondo if I'm with the program here? New hood and trunk lid.
Note: Either way this car is marked as new as it is. I'd insist ins give you the $$ for the most expensive fix and do it whatever way you want as the value of the car just took a hit! They don't tell you that up front but it's worth about 25% less than one that didn't need this fix. I wouldn't buy it at all with evidence of any repaint but that's just me perhaps.
Any respectable body shop should deliver the car cleaned up looking new again.
Could stir up an argument here but I'd get rid of the car for another new one with the check and the car as is. A 2008 is new! Fixed it will not hold paint color to match well for a long life and any resin used for fill will not expand and contract as well as original metalwork and show up perhaps a couple years from now as wrinkles in the paint.
It's your car, just know that a savy dealer will know (as will carfax type things) and car is devalued and you'll find out when you trade it or keep it long enough why it isn't as good as new anymore,
T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 29, 2008, 5:06 AM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: PDR vs Body Replacement
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Hey Tom PDR is Paintless Dent Removal. They pull and massage the metal until it comes out smooth. We had some done on our CV's and you can't tell there was ever a dent there. There is no filler required in this process. Search for The Dent Wizard.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2008, 6:18 AM
Post #6 of 6
(3464 views)
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Re: PDR vs Body Replacement
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!! I take back my opinion of prior post - somehow thought PDR would be "poly something resin" not the paintless dent removal which I totally approve of when possible. That vs new parts would depend on extent.
My point WAS that original paint work really won't ever be duplicated again EVEN with new parts. You only get one opportunity with a car with nothing to so much as mask off, paint and bake them dry. Sure it's done for the million dollar restorations but not very common.
Even with the PDR way I would worry about the back side unseen with even a slight scratch that starts problems but should be nothing like torching out creases, drill and pull etc ways.
In short........ If I ever (never have) owned a new car and something like that happened I'd be in a staight jacket for a year to recover from the stress!
At any rate - good luck with the fix,
T
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