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Toyota Camry Exterior
166 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2009 at 7:16 PM
You are in the Toyota Camry Forum.What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Exterior, Sedan
#2 of 166 How to fix dents? by camrysev6owner
Apr 24, 2004 (6:34 am)
I've dented my 03 Camry after putting a bike rack on it. I have one of those trunk bike racks. The upper bar rests on the trunk's surface and the lower bar has to rest just below the license plate. The lower bar does not rest on the rear bumper because of clearance needed for the rear spoiler.I was carrying at the rack's full capacity of 3 adult bikes that day. I guess it might have been the pressure given to the lower bar when going over bumpy roads that gave the trunk lid a dent under the license plate.
Does anyone have an idea of how to fix dents properly? Can I push the dent back out from the inside of the trunk lid?
Looking forward to any replies.
#3 of 166 New Engine and Dents ... My opinion ... by hank2
Apr 29, 2004 (6:17 pm)
Guys -Talk to the folks who replaced the engine, but for the most part follow 30K miles, except for plugs and oil changes. I assume they gave you new plugs and nothing else ... but ask. Everything that wasn't repaired will continue to wear at the normal rate.
Dents - If the metal is pushed in, but not creased, you may be able to pull it out with a toilet plunger. Also, there are dent removal kits, that you may get from a hardware store. In fact, you might try talking to a local hardware store, or someone like AutoZone, and ask what they have to take out dents. If the metal is folded or creased ...Oh, oh, better Get Maaco
(reference to US TV commercial) ... you probably need a professional service, but you may not need to go to the dealer.
Please add to our knowledge after ya'll determine the best approaches.
-Hank2
#4 of 166 HANK2 by camrysev6owner
May 02, 2004 (7:35 am)
Thanks for you helpful information. I went to a placed called "Dent Wizard" and they claim that they can do paintless dent removals. They looked at my dented trunk lid, and quoted a price of nearly $400 CDN !!!Well, I guess I would just have to live with the dent, or get one of those kits from a local hardware store. Not sure if it would work, but it's only $30. Even if it doesn't work, I wouldn't feel ripped off.
#5 of 166 dents... by andrelaplume
May 02, 2004 (7:39 pm)
Really sorry to hear your experience about the bike rack dent but I am glad you posted. I was considering getting one. I think I may just take the suggestion that I have Uhaul install a 1/4 inch hitch and purchase that style rack.#6 of 166 ANDRELAPLUME by camrysev6owner
May 02, 2004 (8:58 pm)
Yup, it's a good idea to go with the hitch. I've actually considered getting a hitch but thought it was too costly at the time so I went with the trunk rack. BAD DECISION. If I had known that I would dent my trunk lid I would've paid the extra money for a hitch.I had two concerns regarding hitches though. The first one was that there would be potential rusting that acts as a substrate which promotes rusting onto the car's underbody. This was only my assumption because I've seen it happen to older cars on the road.
The second concern was that the looks of the car would be affected because of the hitch that must be attached at all times (another assumption). I didn't like the look of the car with the hitch on it when the bike rack is detached.
I had been wondering if my assumptions were correct for a long time. Maybe you could give me some input on that.
#7 of 166 Hitch rusting...... by dekester
May 03, 2004 (11:05 am)
would most likely occur on vehicles that are used to launch boats and therefore would have that area in contact with water - in some cases sea water.Hitches are generally powder coated these days and protected from the elements.
Deke
#8 of 166 Anyone used Langka paint chip repair kit????? by jeff1
May 06, 2004 (12:10 pm)
It's used to remove the paint blob of the touch up paint. Has anyone tried it before? How bout its result?#9 of 166 camryv6owner.. by andrelaplume
May 12, 2004 (12:20 pm)
still not sure on the hitch...awaiting firther comments....#10 of 166 Dent repair by gearhead4
May 14, 2004 (8:23 am)
I have taken my cars to paintless dent repair shops like Dent Wizard and Dent Busters several times with excellent results. The cost to me was always less than $75 (US) per dent. In all cases, I couldn't tell there was ever a dent.It doesn't work of the metal is creased or the paint is "broken". If the dent is very close to the edge of the panel, the paintless technique is less effective.
If you are very talented and use the right tools you can do it yourself, but you could make it worse.
I have found that most paintless shops will be candid about their ability to fix the problem. The shops I have used guaranteed their results (if I wasn't satisfied, I get my money back).
In my opinion, few collision repair shops can precisely match the factory paint color and texture, so paintless is the way to go.
gearhead4
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