Bodywork Vs replacement

[pontific8]

Hi I managed to reverse and flex window out of neighbours T5. The the good news for her is I'm paying for the repair to avoid her insurance but I'm just interested in your thoughts about body work potential here versus total replacement. Obviously costs are an issue but I want it repaired such that you can't tell that there was ever the dent and window damage.

Speaking with the body shop tomorrow based on photographs and I have a replacement tailgate lined up ready to send upon photograph approval at £1080 Inc transit and vat. On top of that cost will obviously be fitting moving the wires from the old door to the newly supplied one.

Appreciate any thoughts and yes I've had enough of the jokes of don't do in the first place. The irony is I've driven it many times before and no bother but this time I was taking her to the hospital and I was probably nervous but thems the breaks.

Any advice welcome.

 

[JumpShip]

I wouldnt want it repaired and think a new tailgate (and window) is the only way to go. .

 

[Sasquatch]

It's not too and, could be repaired without fillers etc but it's going to be labour intensive and thus quite spendy. A new tailgate and window is likely going to be less expensive than having a bobdyshop remove it and massage that out.

 

[pontific8]

I wouldnt want it repaired and think a new tailgate (and window) is the only way to go. .

Yes, I don't mind, as long as it's restored, I feel like that's my obligation. I guess the question is, if the restoration was indistinguishable, and solid, cheaper, is that my obligation filled. Wouldn't replacement, be over and above that. I don't know.

 

[pontific8]

It's not too and, could be repaired without fillers etc but it's going to be labour intensive and thus quite spendy. A new tailgate and window is likely going to be less expensive than having a bobdyshop remove it and massage that out.

Yes, I guess I'll find out tomorrow. Would you need to remove the tailgate? It's a localised dent?

 

[Sasquatch]

They'd need to remove it. When it's open to get to the rear of the dent it's 6'6" from the ground and that would make life better tricky for anyone working on it.

 

[dubber36]

Did you do the one to the left of the numberplate too? I reckon that a good dent man would be able to repair the one by the glass. I'm not sure he'd be able to repair the glass tho'. The other one looks a bit more tricky, but they the right man can work wonders.

Any other method of repair will need paint, unless your replacement tailgate is a spot on match. You then need to consider how much more of the van needs to be painted to blend the colour. Silver paint that's at least 10 years old is normally a bugger to match.

 

[pontific8]

Cheers, I'll report back tomorrow their feedback. May be better just to order a replacement

 

[dubber36]

Cheers, I'll report back tomorrow their feedback. May be better just to order a replacement

But only if it's a spot on colour match.

 

[pontific8]

Did you do the one to the left of the numberplate too? I reckon that a good dent man would be able to repair the one by the glass. I'm not sure he'd be able to repair the glass tho'. The other one looks a bit more tricky, but they the right man can work wonders.

Any other method of repair will need paint, unless your replacement tailgate is a spot on match. You then need to consider how much more of the van needs to be painted to blend the colour. Silver paint that's at least 10 years old is normally a bugger to match.

But only if it's a spot on colour match.

Good point

 

[pontific8]

Did you do the one to the left of the numberplate too? I reckon that a good dent man would be able to repair the one by the glass. I'm not sure he'd be able to repair the glass tho'. The other one looks a bit more tricky, but they the right man can work wonders.

Any other method of repair will need paint, unless your replacement tailgate is a spot on match. You then need to consider how much more of the van needs to be painted to blend the colour. Silver paint that's at least 10 years old is normally a bugger to match.

No just the dent to the right. The van is not in a pristine condition bodywork wise. Rust, scratches, dents, so i think virtual match will suffice. I think that's reasonable. At least I hope.

 

[Bav]

No just the dent to the right. The van is not in a pristine condition bodywork wise. Rust, scratches, dents, so i think virtual match will suffice. I think that's reasonable. At least I hope.

In that case a replacement tailgate fully matched and blended would represent significant betterment. I'd be asking them to accept a replacement of the right colour, but not an exact match and not blended.