Expert: ken schwandt - 8/24/2006

Question
I drive a 2005 silver Honda CRV LX in San Jose, CA. Six months ago, the car backed into a streetside dumpster denting the bottom-left side of the rear door. The black bumper is cracked, and the silver paint on the door has started to chip in 2 places (1 inch x 0.5in areas):
1) Can I simply sand & use touch-up paint as a long-term remedy for the paint chips?
2) Will a heat gun help to remove/reduce the dent in the door - it is a dull dent about 1-inch deep, affecting a 6-inch diameter circular area?

Any idea on how much it would cost to repair the dent? How much would a complete door replacement cost? Any recommendations for local body repair shops?

Thanks a lot !!
Sam

Answer
Yes you could apply touch up paint as a long term fix as long as you apply some primer to the area first. The door is made of metal I do believe so a heat gun would not help take out the dent. You may be able to push it out from the inside by removing the door pad to access the dent and push a little at a time. It would cost about $400 to $1000 to repair the door and replace the black moulding. To replace the door with a new one and paint, and new black moulding would cost about $1000 to $2000. Just the black moulding would cost about 40 or 80 bucks. As far as a shop I work at Scaffidi Ford in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Just get a few estimates they should be free. Then pick who ever you feel comfortable with.
            Thank you for the question!
            Ken