Can I get to the backside to remove this dent if I remove the rear wheel liner?

[makorider]

Well, my daughter put this dent in the rear quarter of m 05 when dropping some surfboards off at the beach last summer (we had guests); backed into someones bike rack that was hanging down off the driveway which she didn't see.

Its been bugging me for quite a while, before it starts getting nice out and other things take precident, I'd like to do my best to knock it out.
Was thinking of putting a heat lamp on it, and maybe cutting a piece of wood to match the radius and banging it out from the inside, but I cant get to it - and I don't want to remove the wheel liner if I still cant get to it.

If you 've got better ideas, do let me know, but do you think I can get to it if the liner is removed?

 

[GregBelleville]

I'm wondering if you might be able to access the back of that dent by removing the taillight? That said, even if that gave you access, not sure what type of tool you'd use to try to pry/pop that dent out with?

 

[LakeBeard]

Did you try to from the inside of the tub, looks like it might be high enough...

 

[chili_pepper]

Are you planning on fixing it properly (body/paint work) or just trying to make it look a little better? There are a number of ways to fix it, but all of them would require a proper body repair.

One of these and a pick hammer would work.
https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...elders/stud-welder-dent-repair-kit-61433.html

 

[makorider]

Did you try to from the inside of the tub, looks like it might be high enough...

Yep, no such luck. I thought the same when I first saw it...

 

[makorider]

Are you planning on fixing it properly (body/paint work) or just trying to make it look a little better? There are a number of ways to fix it, but all of them would require a proper body repair.

One of these and a pick hammer would work.
https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...elders/stud-welder-dent-repair-kit-61433.html

Just making it look better. Hoping I can get to it from the inside some how...

 

[chili_pepper]

Just making it look better. Hoping I can get to it from the inside some how...

You'll need a long panel pick to get at it from the bottom and a body hammer (and really long arms). Regardless, it likely won't look any better than it does now. The paint is compromised and the metal is stretched.

 

[AirborneTexasRanger]

The EVAP canister will need to be removed also

 

[Juggernaut]

Use a glue tab puller on that dent. Get a quote from a PDR professional or if you’re the DIY type buy a cheap Amazon kit but be sure to purchase quality sticks. Hard to tell if the paint is cracked in the picture. If it’s not, it’s a fairly easy PDR repair. To push that would be difficult without the proper tools. If the paint is cracked you’re refinishing no matter what method you use.

 

[DuckNut]

I would spend the $100 on a painless dent removal dude. Every time I try to make a dent look better I end up send to a body shop. I have learned the extent of my abilities the expensive way.

 

[LONGJP2]

If you 've got better ideas, do let me know,

Fill it with bondo and put another Yacht Club sticker on over it.

 

[nitrofalcon]

As @AirborneTexasRanger mentioned, the EVAP canister needs to be removed. But, let me tell you brother, that ain't no easy job! I tried it on my 03 in order to get to the back of tail light to install a new led unit and after half a day of fighting it I never managed to get it off. VERY limited room for the hand and tools.

 

[JMT]

Well, my daughter put this dent in the rear quarter of m 05 when dropping some surfboards off at the beach last summer (we had guests); backed into someones bike rack that was hanging down off the driveway which she didn't see.

Its been bugging me for quite a while, before it starts getting nice out and other things take precident, I'd like to do my best to knock it out.
Was thinking of putting a heat lamp on it, and maybe cutting a piece of wood to match the radius and banging it out from the inside, but I cant get to it - and I don't want to remove the wheel liner if I still cant get to it.

If you 've got better ideas, do let me know, but do you think I can get to it if the liner is removed?

View attachment 603663

You can get there by removing the liner and the evap canister. The space is small and difficult to reach though. Armor or fill and paint or PDR possibly.

 

[makorider]

The EVAP canister will need to be removed also

And thats why I post the question here. Thank you!

 

[makorider]

Use a glue tab puller on that dent. Get a quote from a PDR professional or if you’re the DIY type buy a cheap Amazon kit but be sure to purchase quality sticks. Hard to tell if the paint is cracked in the picture. If it’s not, it’s a fairly easy PDR repair. To push that would be difficult without the proper tools. If the paint is cracked you’re refinishing no matter what method you use.

I think this is the route I'll go. Rest of the body is too clean not to address it.

What seperates a 'quality' stick from not when looking on Amazon?

 

[JMT]

If PDR is possible that’s the only thing that will visibly remove it.

I really try to discourage DIY body work.

 

[cliffish]

Use a glue tab puller on that dent. Get a quote from a PDR professional or if you’re the DIY type buy a cheap Amazon kit but be sure to purchase quality sticks. Hard to tell if the paint is cracked in the picture. If it’s not, it’s a fairly easy PDR repair. To push that would be difficult without the proper tools. If the paint is cracked you’re refinishing no matter what method you use.

Do you have a link to such quality sticks? I just have the ones that came with the kit.

 

[BlueC]

If you 've got better ideas, do let me know

Have you called a paintless dent guy? They could knock that dent out pretty quick and probably only cost a couple $100.

 

[chili_pepper]

For the record, PDR just isn't...in that there is no such thing. Not here to debate it, I've seen plenty of attempts but never seen a single one where evidence of damage was nonexistent afterwards.

If the metal is stretched (and it is in this case), a proper body repair is required. The metal must be shrunk, or at least the highs removed. You have a low crease shown in red and high ridges in blue. Cheap, easy and half-assed, pound the highs low, grind and fill. Proper way is to shrink and displace with hammer and dolly/spoon/pick or hammer and some kind of dent puller (stud weld, glued). Always best to use the minimum of body filler, the metal should be worked as close to original shape as possible. Fortunately for you, our TJ/LJ's are made of a decent metal gauge, so you've got something to work with. New cars are tin foil in comparison.

Unlike others, I wouldn't recommend against you doing the work yourself, but you need to know your skill limits and whether you have the equipment. If you do attempt it yourself, I would recommend that you use proper repair products. The longevity of the repair is dependent upon it.

 

[BlueC]

For the record, PDR just isn't...in that there is no such thing.

I have to disagree. Something small & shallow like that, PDR by someone who knows what they're doing works well. My stepmother got some small hail damage on her car (black car, hood-top-trunk) last year. The body shop decided to send it to their PDR guy at around 1/2 the quote to repaint ($10K paint vs $6K PDR). It came back looking like it did when new, and I'm very picky.