Opel Astra Dent

123happycamper · 02-12-2011 11:17pm #1

have an opel astra 3dr 01 and has a big dent on the back passenger panel from over the wheel up and paint is also gone any idea how much you think it might cost???

Fishtits · 02-12-2011 11:56pm

Panel Beating...

Hard work (dont dare under estimate that)

high skill level (try sorting a dent in most current cars - complex curves etc)

Elf & Safety and the horrendous costs of complying vis a vis spray booths etc, big capital investment...

And people expect these guys to work for change?

Think about that when you grumble when they quote you 250 to "touch up" yer bumper.

johndaman66 · 03-12-2011 12:55am

Is panel beating a term that should actually be used anymore? Does anyone actually do panel beating anymore or at least to such an extent to warrant being called a panel beater?

I do be somewhat perplexed when I hear people say such and such a guy is a good panel beater when in reality its most likely they do very little panel beating if indeed any.

03-12-2011 1:02am

Getting a chassis back in shape is panel beating.... most crashes require more than replacing panels.

bryaner · 03-12-2011 1:07am

Very true panel beating is a thing of the past, panel replacement is all you get now bar a few old school shops..

bryaner · 03-12-2011 1:13am

RoverJames wrote: »

Getting a chassis back in shape is panel beating.... most crashes require more than replacing panels.

Most chassis damage is normally called a wright off these days James, shame some decent ships went under that banner, but then again so did more lemons..

johndaman66 · 03-12-2011 1:16am

RoverJames wrote: »

Getting a chassis back in shape is panel beating.... most crashes require more than replacing panels.

Agreed, but thats hardly panel beating in the true sense of the term.

03-12-2011 2:10am

johndaman66 wrote: »

Agreed, but thats hardly panel beating in the true sense of the term.

.... that's what panel beaters do though

Getting panels back in shape, though far from trivial was only ever a part of their job.

johndaman66 · 03-12-2011 10:59am

RoverJames wrote: »

.... that's what panel beaters do though
Getting panels back in shape, though far from trivial was only ever a part of their job.

And generally speaking only a very tiny part of their job these days which is my point. Why call somebody whos spray painting, replacing and lining up panels on a daily basis a panel beater, when in reality they may beat a panel out once in the blue moon if ever much. I'm probably being pedantic and maybe crash repairer doesn't have as nice a ring to it but I don't think panel beater should be the term used for somebody who does little or no panel beating

A bit like holistically using the word Exorcist to describe a priest who in his past carried out one or two exorcisms and who's day to day duties revolve around giving Maas

TestTransmission · 03-12-2011 11:42am

I've created a new thread for you OP, please don't dig up old threads

Owen · 03-12-2011 11:45am

RJ's right though, hardly any businesses advertising themselves as Panel Beaters work with reforming metal these days. They'll use Jigs to pull chassis straight, and use hammer/dolly sets to bang out dents, but nothing like what used to be done.

Panel Beating is a serious skill and takes a long time to get good at. Watch Roy on American Hotrod, or Overhaulin and you'll see what working with metal is really like.

I think IMHO we still use the term panel beaters because that's what everyone in Ireland associates with repairing cars.

Opel Astra Dent

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