got my first ding today :(

UrbanRedneck · Apr 22, 2008

I noticed a ding on my passanger door today. It's not too big, but it's right on the body crease (the one that is like 6 inches below the window), so it is deffinetely noticible.... I noticed it when I left the place I ate at, some dip**** in a caravan was litterally like 9-10 inches from me, in an EMPTY parking lot. Naturally I inspected the car, and I concluded that the van's door woulda hit the mirror. The ding also has a speck of red paint in it that I can easily remove, but the van was green so I dunno if that is where it came from, but the more I think about it I think it has to be somehow from that van because I litterally never park next to people, and I would have deffinetely noticed since I practically inspect my car every time I park. Either way, the source is now irrelevant, all that matters is my car has a noticible ding and only has 700 miles on it... As sad as this sounds, it's really depressing. Makes me wonder if you can have anything nice these days (and it's my first nice car, my last vehicle was a beat up uff raod truck that I didn[t care about dings on), and it's like what's the point of doing appearance mods and stuff if the car will just get beat up... Oh well. My day is ruined at least.

How do you guys keep your cars so prestine? Must not drive them anywhere haha.

Art161 · Apr 22, 2008

The car owner tends to notice blemishes on his/her car a lot more than on other cars. If someone took a quick look at my car, they would probably say it looks great, yet I know of several nicks and other imperfections. Also, the owner tends to fixate on the imperfect areas. The rest of the car may be spectacular, but the owner, and perhaps only the owner, will spend way too much time finding the faults.

Maybe we can get a psychologist or psychiatrist on here to explain why we dwell on the imperfections of our cars, rather than appreciating the overall appearance.

Sorry about the ding, but you're not alone.

UrbanRedneck · Apr 22, 2008

Yea, I bet if I asked my dad to go out and find the ding, he couldn't. Likewise I bet if someone was checking out my car, they'd probably not notice it. But when I look at that side of the car, my eyes instantly focus right on that spot. I've already gotten over my first scratch, but this is worse, because I can't fix this. Seems like it should take more than 700 miles before my car becomes imperfect, especially the way I baby it. It almost seems like this car's sheetmetal and paint are fragile compared to other cars I've owned.

cave diver · Apr 22, 2008

I know how you feel, it would drive me nuts as well. Check around for a good 'paintless dent repair' guy (one with good references) and get it fixed. These guys can make that dent disappear and for not a lot of money If you bought your car new from a dealer, call them and ask who they use. All dealerships use paintless dent repair guys, much cheaper, faster and usually a better job than body work and paint.

1965coupe · Apr 22, 2008

I have parked the F350 WAYYYY out in the parking lot at Costco only to have someone park about a foot from it-- TWICE!!! The first time, a family of "Hispanics" parked their huge suburban next to the truck and rubbed the crap out of the paint when getting out of their 'burb. The second time, an E250 van parked so close they literally folded the mirror in on the truck..

No dings, but they obviously rubbed the paint with their bodies.. enough to cause clearcoat scratches.

Honestly though, just call a paintless dent remover.. $50-$100 later, you'll never even know there was a dent.

UrbanRedneck · Apr 22, 2008

I was just researching paintless dent removal, and it seems they just reach in through the window channel with long tools to push the dent out. I wonder if tehre are any unwanted after effects, like weatherstripping damage, etc. Seems like a pretty painless process, but I dunno if I should have it fixed or just live with it.

cave diver · Apr 22, 2008

UrbanRedneck said:
I was just researching paintless dent removal, and it seems they just reach in through the window channel with long tools to push the dent out. I wonder if tehre are any unwanted after effects, like weatherstripping damage, etc. Seems like a pretty painless process, but I dunno if I should have it fixed or just live with it.

If you get it done by an experienced PDR person there won't be any unwanted after effects, just a smooth door. Just make sure to get some references and talk to them about their satisfaction.

UrbanRedneck · Apr 22, 2008

you think it's worth it to get a small ding fixed? I figure there will be more, but at least I can keep it nice as long as possible right?

5.0Torx · Apr 22, 2008

could be worse. could be me!

bluecar · Apr 23, 2008

I am obsessive compulsive to a fault and will zero in on every little ding, even on other cars. I've had good luck with paintless ding repair, no harm to the weather stripping or anything like that.

If you park far away, you are inviting some junk heap to park next to you for whatever mean spirited purpose they intend. Try parking next to other nice cars like beemers, jags, or benzies. (No SUVs) They'll be as considerate of you as you will be them. This has worked in some pretty tight spots for me. I just hope they don't leave before I do. Also if you go to Target, Ikea, Home Depot, Lowes, or places that have shopping carts all over the place, park in a high spot to prevent carts from rolling into your car. (I've actually put some away for those lazy slobs)

Car doors have a half-way stop when opening. If you can, try to judge the distance between their half way detent where it stops before going into your bodyside. Yes, I'm that compulsive.

Then there are those who hog up 2 parking spaces and deserve everything they get.

I have a couple bumper dings but parallel parking is 90% here. The mustang is not a small car. It is 4 inches longer than the 2004 and its still taking me time to eyeball big enough parking spots. Well, I parked pretty close to a junker honda and he or she got pi55ed and slammed her way out. I'll save those up.

Again, door dings are a pet peeve. Its sorta like a beautiful girl on prom night with a zit right in the middle of her forehead!

Mark25 · Apr 23, 2008

Paintless Dent Repair is the way to go...call some of the dealerships in your area and find out who they recommend...I've used the same PDR guy for the past 13 years...he has removed at least 30 dents from my various vehicles since that time. Better than new.

ApexStang · Apr 23, 2008

UrbanRedneck said:
How do you guys keep your cars so prestine? Must not drive them anywhere haha.

Sadly, that is me. I have a 2007 purchased in Jan of 2007 and I only have 1007 miles on it.

Of course, it has been in and out of shops for roughly 2 months with mods.

My suggestion, park EVEN FURTHER away. Too many careless *****heads in the world.

07ToRcH · May 31, 2008

1965coupe said:
I have parked the F350 WAYYYY out in the parking lot at Costco only to have someone park about a foot from it-- TWICE!!! The first time, a family of "Hispanics" parked their huge suburban next to the truck and rubbed the crap out of the paint when getting out of their 'burb. The second time, an E250 van parked so close they literally folded the mirror in on the truck..

No dings, but they obviously rubbed the paint with their bodies.. enough to cause clearcoat scratches.

Honestly though, just call a paintless dent remover.. $50-$100 later, you'll never even know there was a dent.

"hispanics" did you really have to say that ?

Towelly · May 31, 2008

PC police always on the watch!! He probably didn't have to, but he could have said worse?

LL2020 · Jun 1, 2008

Paintless dent repair

It's already been said, but these guy's are great. I have had 1 spot on the Stang and 2 on the other half's PT Cruiser fixed for less than my deductible. You can google paintless dent repair for your area or ask a reputable body shop. I was so impressed, I considered going to work for the guy as a side job.

P.S. No jab's about the cruiser. She drives it, I pay for it

BakerBBB · Jun 1, 2008

I live in Jacksonville, FL and I NEVER, never park my 06 GT outside...of course except today when a random f'in hail storm came through and put over 2 dozen dents eveywhere. The mustang gods must hate me...I let my wife drive her to the airport and she parked it in the driveway! How much do you think it will cost to fix them all?

Marine One · Jun 2, 2008

I also swear by paintless dent repair. The first time I used it the guy who did it was my son's little league coach. He worked out of the trunk of his car (SVO Taurus) and was on a set schedule with several new car dealers in the Northern Virginia area. I went by his house one Saturday after a game and he removed 3 dings from my 95 Mustang GT. It took him less time to remove the dings than it took me to drink the Michelob that he gave me when I got there! He showed me how the whole process worked. He had a trunkful of tools and probes of different sizes. In addition to accessing the area via the weather stripping they also use the drain holes built into doors. It is definitely the way to go. Best advice here is to find out who the new car dealers in your area are using, and see if you can contact him, or meet him at one of the dealerships he works with when he's there.

BakerBBB · Jun 2, 2008

Thank god for car insurance...I had an estimate this morning from a dealer to repair the damage and there are over 40 dents from the hail storm...all panels got hit....estimate was $2800 at best! My car looks like the surface of the moon. I'm going to see their paintless dent repair man Wed. to get my baby all fixed up! This whole thing is only going to cost me $250 deductible. Take it from me, if you love your Stang, pick up good insurance to cover the unexpected...and don't listen to your wife when she says leave your car outside!

6773 · Jun 25, 2008

UrbanRedneck, Did you ever get your door ding repaired? I just got a ding in the exact same place right on the crease of the door. I just wonder if PDR could do more harm than good since the ding is right on the crease.

red 92 · Jun 25, 2008

I got one there in the same place and was told that pdr wouldnt pop it out right cuz it is on a body line. and its gonna cost about 500 bucks to fix the door

got my first ding today :(

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