Expert: Michael Kakuk - 6/26/2010

Question
My car sustained minor damage to the hood from a front end collision. The front lip was bent. The body shop intends to repair the hood, while I favor replacement. My reasons are as follows: I assume that after they straighten the bend, they will still need to apply bondo to smooth out the surface. I am concerned that over time, the repetitive opening/closing of the hood may cause the bondo to crack or break off. Is my concern valid? Should I insist on getting a new hood?

Answer
STEVE....RELAX EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. THE REPAIRS TO THE HOOD EDGE HAVE TO BE METAL WORKED PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION OF FILLER MATERIAL. THE INTENT OF FILLER IS NOT TO FILL THE DENT BUT TO ASSIST THE TECHNICIAN WHO AFTER WORKING THE DENT WITH HIS SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE WILL APPLY SOME FILLER.\ TO FILL THE LOW SPOTS.

THE FILLER ACTUALLY FILLS THE GRINDING MARKS AND ALSO THE LOW SPOTS AFTER THE METAL WORK HAS BEEN DONE. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS TO GUARANTEE THE WORK AND ID THEY FELT THAT THE HOOD REQUIRED REPLACEMENT THEN THEY WILL/ WILL CONTACT TTHE INSURANCE COMPANY IF THEY ARE PAYING FOR REPAIRS.

MIKE