j30 dented

[puck]

Someone hit my J30's rear drivers side last night while driving home from work. It left a sizable dent on the corner panal just over the tire and scratched up a small part of the wheel too. His insurance should pick up the tab assuming the cost to repair is less than the car itself. I know nothing about auto-body repair. I have a pearl white J30 and I think I've read that color is hard to reproduce because it consists of several layers of paint. My J30 is overall in very good condition considering its age so I'm hoping to have it fixed so it looks like it did before the accident.

Any suggestions or advice regarding what to look for or what questions to ask prior to having it repaired. I live in St. Charles, MO / St. Louis region so if anyone has any recommendations on a good place to take it in this area, I'd really appreciate it.

[audtatious]

That sux. A good repair shop should be able to feather in new paint. As long as the pearl is a good match you should have no issues.

Good luck!

[driverdriver]

Post a pic of the dent.

Depending on where it is, it can be pulled out with some water and a toilet plunger (plunger size depends on dent). I've done this myself.

[puck]

I'll post a picture later. Unfortunately, I doubt the plunger would work. Even if it did, the paint is chipped off in a number of places and scratched. There is also some cosmetic damage to the wheel. I've had three people look at it, one recommended cutting out the panel to replace with another and two thought they could fix it with a machine that would pull it out. In any case, the area needs to be repainted. I'm still waiting for the insurance company to come out and look at it. Two of the three people said they would not be surprised if the insurance company wanted to total it which would be a shame because its otherwise in great shape and I've kept up on all the maintenance, ect.