Body Damage Question/Repair? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Eco-Noob · 03-03-2009, 05:39 PM

When I bought my 1991 (I thought it was a 1992, but it just has the 1992 manual) it had a dent on the rear left panel...

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The lady that owned it before me backed into something, and replaced the tail light fixture.

I know that this is KILLING my aerodynamics... I mean, it can't be very smooth, right?

Anyone happen to know how I could fix it? Could it be as simple as removing the tail light and hitting it with a hammer a few times? Or would a whole new panel be needed?

Thanks,
Ec0-Noob

Daox · 03-03-2009, 05:48 PM

Well, since its already an aerodynamic brick I'm sure its not hurting things very much. However, to pop it out all you really gotta do is exactly what you said. Get behind it and tap on it until it pops out. No big deal.

Eco-Noob · 03-03-2009, 07:03 PM

Haha. I was figuring... Less Bu-Fugly body.. more cash in return for it

I found a $650 Geo Metro I would like to buy.. gotta fix my dent so I can get a better price for the truck. Would love a new paint job. Damn you Ford....

I will see what I can do this weekend

dremd · 03-03-2009, 07:40 PM

If it were me I'd check wrecking yards for same color beds.

Frank Lee · 03-03-2009, 07:44 PM

Looks like the right side to me.

Eco-Noob · 03-03-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Looks like the right side to me.

Haha. Good catch! I'm tired.

You know you wish your an ecomodder when you stay up all night browsing Craigslist for Geo Metro's and browse the ecomodder forum until 3 AM

Frank Lee · 03-03-2009, 08:12 PM

Incidentally, I doubt the aero is too screwed up by it. Fix it and you will not see any fe difference. But it will look nicer.

Eco-Noob · 03-03-2009, 09:30 PM

Looking nicer is what I am going for

After I fix that dent, its off to sand the crap out of it, and get a paint job, so it can hopefully sell a little better

Daox · 03-04-2009, 11:10 AM

Unless you can paint the truck for basically free, it won't be worth it. The truck is pretty old and you aren't going to get that much more money for it simply because it has new paint. That will be the least of the buyer's worries.

Shawn D. · 03-04-2009, 01:52 PM

Sorry, but beating that out with a hammer will make it look far worse and will encourage rust. There's a big crease, and creases don't pop out. You could, however, have a chance at pressing out the dimple above the wheel arch -- put a 2' long 2x4 behind it and press out. Again, do not beat anything with a hammer.

Also, you fixing it will probably not make it sell better. I'd rather buy a vehicle with a dent than an amateur "fix" that makes it even worse.