Autobody shops can't tell if a pinecone dent needs a panel replacement
11 posts in the last 90 days, all from r/Autobody.
“https://preview.redd.it/02g1zrclsxfh1.png?width=512&format=png&auto=webp&s=6e034cbe3c4af684040b2f1e5920624feea01292 Surely one of these can't... Oh god what is that monstrosity?”
“That wasnt caused by something the size of a baseball falling on it. You need to listen to the people that look at dents every day. [re: Big dent]”
“that rear quarter panel looks like it might crumble at any second if you so much as look at it sideways”
Autobody professionals and car owners struggle to determine whether damage from a pinecone (or similar lightweight debris) requires a full panel replacement or can be repaired via pulling. The ambiguity leads to unnecessary costs and delays.
SOURCES (60)
“That wasnt caused by something the size of a baseball falling on it. You need to listen to the people that look at dents every day. [re: Big dent]”
“that rear quarter panel looks like it might crumble at any second if you so much as look at it sideways”
“Yeah, probably best to try to flatten it before removing the bed. Was thinking maybe I could squish it between 2 wood forms with the negative of the corrugations. Like lay it on one on top of a block of concrete and then squeeze the top with an excavator. At least enough to make it easier to tack the cross members in.”
“Isn't the YouTube panel beaters solution to melt cable ties into the space, and then sent it ?”
“https://preview.redd.it/yt3ypjsl1ehh1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10d17f694781610a90d5681e7b9c52c947094c58”
“I think the kink in the quarter and an explanation of what a unibody vehicle is to somebody who knows nothing about cars makes this whole thing confusing. Yes the outer quarter panel is not structural. Also yes the quarter panel is a structural piece of a unibody design.”
“If you hook a chain to the right spot on that quarter and pull it off of a tree, you would get most of it out. The trick is finding the right spot on the quarter”
“We call those widow makers cause they are heavy!! Small ones are like 3lbs I think the biggest is like 12+”
“I was starting to yell “how big was this pinecone?!,” but only “how big” came out as I was silenced by swiping to the second photo”
“https://preview.redd.it/8fovzhaprcgh1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3306b4e0a27e3d21e7e70a691e2024c1394645b5”
That’s a crazy fucking pinecone. Sorry for your body shop bill.
“Jesus christ how tall is that pine tree? That thing must have reached terminal velocity”
“Maaate! Almost anything here in Australia tries to kill us. But hey, at least we don’t have “Assault Squirrels” armed with pine cone RPG’s!”
“Coulter Pine pine cones are also referred to as "widow makers" because they can drop and do damage like this. Sorry bout your van bro. Looking at that heavy crease where it quite literally folded the metal, you CAN pull it but it's going to look like hell. That crease creates a stress point and pulling it could possibly pop your fender open. Think if it like if you bend and flex thin metal like a paper clip over and over. Eventually it just snaps. You may want to hit a U-Pull-It ya”
“It should have been pulled the bent support out before removing. Hook to tree if you don't have the right tools. Once pulled out the bolt holes should line up. This isn't the end of the world.”
“I was going to ask if it was a Bunya Pine cone. They can kill you. “Stop and think that this is Australia…” Nope.”
“https://preview.redd.it/02g1zrclsxfh1.png?width=512&format=png&auto=webp&s=6e034cbe3c4af684040b2f1e5920624feea01292 Surely one of these can't... Oh god what is that monstrosity?”
“Huh...... anyway I think you can get that out since it isn't creased. I'm not sure it's DIY depending on your skills, but I think a shop could get that dent out without replacing the panel. glad you are ok!”
Holy moly. Thats a slab! Luckily not the worst place to get a dent.
“Jesus what was that squirrel using to get that amount of force into the pine cone? An artillery piece?”
So long as the paint is in tact check for places near you that do PDR.
“Surely a front quarter panel is much much cheaper than a window?? It’ll be like 6 bolts holding it on. I’m sure you could find one colour matched as well. That’s some size pinecone. Maybe will have to climb up and ask the squirrels about their insurance.”
Never mind i guess 🤣 wow wtf kind of pinecone is that? Where is that at?
“Thats a pretty easy repair by a craftsman, but the installers on this subreddit will say to replace which i don't really blame them for.”
“I was gonna say, no pinecone I've ever seen until...well I saw it in the second pic. JESUS that's a unit.”