Rear Cladding Damage: Fixed! Before and After photos

[Osteomata]

Thanks to all those who helped me figure out how to go abou fixing this minor cladding damage, especially the blow dryer heating trick and the photos of how to remove the lower rear cladding.

The damage was a softball sized dent. After removing the cladding (and I had to take it all the way off, not just one side, dang it) heated the effected area with a blow dryer, and then wacked it firmly from the inside with a mallet. The first couple of wacks did 90% of the repair, followed by "shaping" wacks to get the last bit fixed. Not perfect, but close. Here is the outcome:

Before:






After:





- Os

[Brian Drinks]

Hay it looks good been there done that i did it the hard way i just use a mallet no blow dryer but it looks good.

[handeeman]

Hey Osteopath (j/k),looks like you did a Doctors work ! Good job, wonder who fixed the surfer dudes car lol.
Plus: With you posting your pics we got rid of "Dumke""s pics when we opened up ! GREAT JOB !

[tomdietrying]

Great job!
All you need to add is a little tire shine or Back to Black to the cladding and no one would ever know.

Peace.
Tom

[ScottinMA]

I had a similar experience but used a different solution that worked great. Took the rear cladding off. Boiled hot water. Poured the hot water into the dented area and simply "reshaped" the dented zone. No banging, hammers, etc. Came out nearly perfect.

[VXorado]

Looks way better, good job!

[tomdietrying]

I know you want to sell the cladding to help offsert the cost, so this may be a moot question. Have you thought about incorperating the cladding like Triathlete is doing. Could the cladding still fit with a few strategic cuts and well placed holes?
Peace.
Tom

[Triathlete]

I know you want to sell the cladding to help offsert the cost, so this may be a moot question. Have you thought about incorperating the cladding like Triathlete is doing. Could the cladding still fit with a few strategic cuts and well placed holes?
Peace.
Tom

Alright Tom...its time to put down the bottle! I think your in the wrong thread!