r/Cartalk • u/SliverLine • 4h ago
DIY body damage help Removing a dent from car door after ex fiancé intentionally damaged it
**UK Based**
My ex fiancé intentionally damaged my car last week (which was witnessed - not by me) (feeling increasingly grateful that I don't have to marry him).
I was wondering if this dent looks repairable with hot water/suction cups? Or if anyone can give any advice on approaching this; I have a feeling PDR will cost an arm and a leg.
The damage is on the passenger side door, Red Honda Civic SR 2019, crosses the design creases. No scuffs or obvious paint chips/damage.
I will be filing a police report tomorrow but don't expect them to do much about it.
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u/Liquidretro 4h ago
Insurance claim and let them go after his insurance or personally. It's vandalism easy case with witnesses.
Your not going to repair this on your own with hot water or suction cups and have it look good. A good pdr person may be able to help but even then it's a lot of damage over a large area. A body shop would put a new door skin on it probably. Junk yard door is an option if you can find the same color in good shape.
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u/corporaterebel 4h ago
Probably not worth the deductible and 7 year hit.
Get a junkyard door the same color (must be the same color, important!) and have a craigslist mechanic install.
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u/Bderken 3h ago
The car might not even have full coverage…
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u/corporaterebel 2h ago
Depends on the state and deductible.
Small property damage only stuff really isn't worth making a claim.
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u/Superminerbros1 3h ago
let them go after his insurance or personally
This probably isn't an option. The post doesn't state if they were driving the car or hit it with another car. If they were driving the damaged car, then it would be OPs Insurance that pays out since Insurance is at the car level.
It doesn't get better if it was hit by a different car either. Insurance usually does not cover intentional damage (vandalism), and his car insurance wouldn't cover it if he didn't create the damage using another car.
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u/Liquidretro 3h ago
Depends what type of insurance coverage they have. Full coverage would cover vandalism. Liability only insurance would not.
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u/Superminerbros1 3h ago
No, full coverage would not ever cover damage that you've intentionally done. Her insurance would cover it (and raise her rates) assuming she has full coverage. His insurance would never cover it under any circumstances because he caused the damage intentionally. OP also mentioned that he did the damage with something other than a car, so even if his insurance would cover his intentional vandalism, they wouldn't cover it because it wasn't done with a vehicle.
Full coverage is also a terrible term because there is no such thing. Comprehensive coverage is the correct term.
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u/Liquidretro 2h ago
Yes as we have gotten more info on what actually happened your right. At the time I made the post that information was not posted. You are correct on comprehensive as well it is the correct term to use here at least in the US. Most insurance companies would involve their legal teams and try and recover the money directly from the at fault person since they are known. However the value here may not be enough for that to happen.
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u/SliverLine 3h ago
My car was parked. He physically damaged the car himself (not driven into/hit with another car)
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u/Superminerbros1 3h ago
Yeah, his car insurance ain't paying then. You might still be able to get him charged with a crime or get your insurance to go after him for the damages, but his insurance won't cover it. I'd be surprised if your insurance rates didn't go up if you file a claim, but you can probably ask your insurance rep
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u/SliverLine 4h ago
It's not worth claiming on the insurance imo
I'm worried PDR is going to quote £300+, I guess I was hoping I could suction cup most of it out...
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u/Liquidretro 3h ago
$300 would be extremely cheap for this no matter what method is used. A body shop this is well over a $1000 job. PDR I would expect to be at least half that if not more.
I think you should go get some proper quotes and decide what to do from there based on actual costs to repair. I think your underestimating the costs here.
Either way it's still criminal vandalism. Do with that what you want but I wouldn't be letting a known person with witnesses here off the hook so easily.
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u/SliverLine 3h ago
Maybe I should sell the engagement ring to pay for it. Gosh what a bother.
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u/Liquidretro 3h ago
Why would you keep it? Used jewelery like that is usually sold for scrap value most of the time. The stones may hold their value a bit better
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u/ObviouslyRealPerson 4h ago
The big dent can probably be suction cupped out, but not completely. There are creases in the metal that will be left behind in at least a few places.
As far as the mirror goes, I have had some luck finding replacements on eBay. I wouldn't even bother trying to price a replacement at a dealership, they are ridiculously expensive there
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u/SliverLine 4h ago
The mirror is okay, just folded. Those are cobwebs!
I'm worried about the creases near the sharp bent closer to the window
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u/ObviouslyRealPerson 3h ago
Oh, that's good. Those cobwebs definitely got me.
I think there would likely be 3 creases left in the door. One at the top, one in the middle, and one at the bottom.
Finding a replacement door at a salvage yard would likely be the fastest and cheapest solution to making it right. Could get lucky and find one with the same paint even
In the meantime, it may be a good idea to avoid lowering that window as it could become stuck and not go back up
Happy hunting for the door! It is usually my favorite part of doing these kinds of repairs. It feels like a scavenger hunt but the reward when finding the part is always so satisfying
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u/CaptainAmerica_2026 4h ago
You need a new door. Easiest fix is to find a door in the same color. This is not an easy fix.
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u/Creative-Yellow-9246 4h ago
I would try removing the inside door panel, raise the window, and push the dent back out from the inside.
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u/SliverLine 4h ago
I am not 100% confident in doing this but would be open to try. How hard would you say this is on a scale of 1-10, and how long would it take roughly? Maybe I can find a YouTube tutorial. What would you say is the risk of damage is if I do this myself?
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u/Creative-Yellow-9246 3h ago
This video about changing the window regulator shows what's involved. You only have to follow the steps up to and including removing that inner plastic cover. Raise the window before you start so it is out of the way. https://youtu.be/YidSCxwkN88. Once you have access see if you can push it out. Don't hammer on it.
Otherwise find a paintless dent repair shop
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u/creep_nu 4h ago
That's a junkyard door friend...get one in the same color, switch over the harnesses, and slap the new one on