Ding repair, opinions please???

[Surfslinger]

While in service at my dealership, my 03 Stratosphere Mica blue Camry SE got a vertical ding dead center of the rear driver wheel well where it's flat. The paint is chipped at the very bottom, with the rest having a slight crease in the metal, and scuffs as shown:






Got the service writer to see the damage, and an estimate from a local body shop for the repair, and that's the problem. Body shop owner said it can be buffed, and touched up by him to look pretty good, or to make it disappear, it will take sanding the area, repairing the spot, and painting the whole quarter panel! I really don't know much about body work, but I'm concerned that all that sanding, fixing, and painting has the chance for the situation to be made worse, i.e. paint color off, orange peel, sanding marks, etc...

Dealership will pay regardless of my choice, but I'm almost feeling like going for the small touch up, instead of taking a chance on a bigger F'up. Are their other repair options that can be done (Dr. Ding maybe???) I think the shop owner said that Dr.Ding would only do work on cars w/o paint loss???

For you folks who have been in my shoes, what did you do, or what would you do?

Thanks,
SS

[sumptimwong]

I would suggest you to look into PDR, or Paintless Dent Repair. After that is taken care of, you can have the dealership paint the whole panel. Assuming your dealership has a half decent body shop connection, they will know how to properly prep the surface and paint it.

[sumptimwong]

^ His is an '03, should be a non-issue. With the current state of clear coats, paint fading is not a huge issue with most imports. Can't speak for domestic paint, I know nothing about them.

[newbie212]

I worked at a paintless dent repair shop for 2 years when it was first introduced.. Like the other guy said, the paint must not be chipped... If I were you, I would leave it up to the dealer and see what they are going to do about it if anything..

[Mike Gerber]

A good body shop will repaint the fender and blend it in to the door. They will be able to match the paint color and the texture of the paint. If the body shop says they can't do that, find another shop. Ask family members or friends and neighbors for a recommendation of a good shop.

It sounds like the dealer is trying to make it right. I applaud them for that. Many dealerships would just argue that it was that way when you brought it in.

Mike

[Surfslinger]

Thank you everyone for the help... Much appreciated!

SS