door ding on brand new camaro

[iuhoops83]

I just got my 2011 camaro two weeks ago. Factory order in inferno orange. Gorgeous car! Somehow, the passenger door received a ding. I park in the back of parking lots, etc and cannot figure out where the ding came from. It is circular in shape so it does not appear to be caused by a car door. It actually looks like someone shot my car with a pellet or bb gun. Possibly out of jealousy? Anyway, I would like recommendations on how to fix the ding. I really do not want to paint the door. The paint was chipped to the bare metal at the center of the ding. The paintless area is about the size of a nailhead. The resulting dent surrounding the paint chip is about the size of a quarter. Is there a way to make the repair without repainting most of the door?

[lets_go_bills]

At the end of the day YOU have to be satisfied with the result. So do what YOU want. There are shops that do small touch up stuff like that. If the area is as small as a nail head you probably could get away with a touch up to the affected area only. Then go over that area with a DA using SHR then a nice polish. That should blend it nicely.

That's my two cents anyway.

[iuhoops83]

upon further inspection, i noticed paint ready to fall off around the bare metal. size of bare spot is more like the tip of a tire valve stem.

[CamaroDreams07]

With a spot that big, and paint flaking around it, I don't see a touch-up being a satisfactory solution in this case. Sounds like you may have to get it repaired. Check and see what your comprehensive insurance deductible is, the repair will probably cost about $400-600 from the dealer. What they usually do is repaint the effected area, blending it as best they can, then re-clear the entire door.

[iuhoops83]

I don't know much about body work. I'm just concerned that painting too much of the door will be a problem long term. Is it possible to order a newly painted door from GM and just install it?

[Gene Culley]

Originally Posted by iuhoops83

I don't know much about body work. I'm just concerned that painting too much of the door will be a problem long term. Is it possible to order a newly painted door from GM and just install it?

No, GM does not pre-paint and ship replacement body panels.

[CamaroDreams07]

What kind of problem are you concerned about? They will paint the affected area- as minimally as possible, but then reclear the entire door so you will have a level surface at the end. I don't think you will run into any problems other than resale value will take a hit with non-factory paint.

[iuhoops83]

not worried about resale value as I plan to keep this car for a long time. Just concerned about the repaint being of less quality than original. Fading? Bubbleing? Different color? Maybe I'm over reacting? I hope the area that is reworked can be minimal

[DangerZL1]

I'd take it one step at at time and have the dent removed first and then worry about the paint repair. It sounds like the dent can be removed using the painless method, which most body shops don't use. I'd have the dent removed this way regardless of whether or not you decide to have a shop repaint the door. You need to find a PDR guy in your area. If you don't know of one, your dealer can probably suggest one.

I'd also have a touch up paint place look at the door before having the entire door repainted. They should tell you before doing any work if they think the repair will come out ok, but it probably won't look as good as repainting the door. In any case, you will have tried all your options before having the entire door repainted.

[dragon22]

I had glass from my rear window land on my trunk deck and 1/4's. The dealer painted the car up to the doors in order to get the paint to blend in properly. It's when a very small area is done that the paint match problem occurs.

Talk to a reputable body shop in your area and see what they suggest. Go to 2 or 3 to see if they concur.

Rest assured that in the right hands, it will look as good as new!

[SlowSS]

I feel your pain as I have just been blessed with a door ding. I fortunately do not have any paint chips, but have a guy coming by tomorrow to do a PDR.

[driser]

Call Legacy coachworks in Canton.....they do unbelievable work. I took mine there after it got sprayed with small rocks by a passing truck that left about 15 rock chips in the hood,front end, front and rear fenders. They repaired each chip to a point where you can't even find them,at a unbelievable price. No dents, but I am sure they can take care of the dent too. Can't say enough good things about them..

[midlife]

Paintless ding removal is amazing. I had a fellow come to my house and do all of the cars. They charged anywhere from 50 to 100 per panel regardless of the amounts of dings. They did my S-10, CTS & G-6 Pontiac amazing. The Camaro was out of harms way.
If the paint is not cracked it works well. In your case the paint is gone. A body shop will most likely fill.
I concur with D-SS have the dent removed the paintless way to minimize any fill, next shoot the complete door and bend with clear coat. With no fill you should not have a problem. Paint and body work usually goes bad overtime when fill is used. A good painter should be able to bring that panel up to grade. In closing clear coats make a match much easier and you have a fairly easy color to match, unlike the silvers and some metallic that can drive you to drink on a match.
In closing a real good painter may only paint either the top ½ or the bottom ½ of the door up to the crease line. Next they wet sand the entire door and then clear coat the entire panel.
I would paint sooner rather than later.

[Mike2ss]

my condolenses go out to you, but as mentioned use PDR, i had it done and it is amazing to say the least.