Okay, the estimate is in.... $931 
The body shop tech removed the paint using thinner and a WW MF towel so it would look better as we drove around until the repair was done. (I would have done this days ago, except I kinda liked the idea of my wife driving around with this large, white badge of shame)
Immediately, I thought the area looked/felt less damaged than expected. The dent is actually round, like a door ding and not a crease. Unfortunately, the center of the dent is down to the metal with the deep scratch toward the door panel. The rest of the scratches, including the door panel are small/medium. (my fingernail does not get caught in them)
I know I said that I wasn't ready for a PC, but the amount of work that this small dent is going cause and the number of panels that will need resurfacing is really tempting me. This is a top-notch shop and they assure me that the color match will not be noticeable, but in order to do that, they have to feather the color out to the door panel, rear panel and a huge portion of the wheel panel (gas tank cover, roof rail, etc...) Also, lots of trim and moulding removal and replacement.
I'm considering having them (or another paintless repair shop) only pull out the dent. I would take on the scratch repair, repaint and reseal myself. I realize that the match-in won't be seamless, especially where the wheel panel meets the untreated/polished-only door panel, but I would be happy getting it as close as Likearock's work on the Dodge.
THE BIG QUESTION: What do you all think? Would you just pay the $$$ to the body shop?
If I do this (something tells me, that's going to be the popular choice around here), I would need the Langka Repair Kit, matching BMW Paint, PC and appropriate pads. What else?
I have PB Pro Polish and EX-P on the way from AG... is that enough?
The body shop tech removed the paint using thinner and a WW MF towel so it would look better as we drove around until the repair was done. (I would have done this days ago, except I kinda liked the idea of my wife driving around with this large, white badge of shame)
Immediately, I thought the area looked/felt less damaged than expected. The dent is actually round, like a door ding and not a crease. Unfortunately, the center of the dent is down to the metal with the deep scratch toward the door panel. The rest of the scratches, including the door panel are small/medium. (my fingernail does not get caught in them)
I know I said that I wasn't ready for a PC, but the amount of work that this small dent is going cause and the number of panels that will need resurfacing is really tempting me. This is a top-notch shop and they assure me that the color match will not be noticeable, but in order to do that, they have to feather the color out to the door panel, rear panel and a huge portion of the wheel panel (gas tank cover, roof rail, etc...) Also, lots of trim and moulding removal and replacement.
I'm considering having them (or another paintless repair shop) only pull out the dent. I would take on the scratch repair, repaint and reseal myself. I realize that the match-in won't be seamless, especially where the wheel panel meets the untreated/polished-only door panel, but I would be happy getting it as close as Likearock's work on the Dodge.
THE BIG QUESTION: What do you all think? Would you just pay the $$$ to the body shop?
If I do this (something tells me, that's going to be the popular choice around here), I would need the Langka Repair Kit, matching BMW Paint, PC and appropriate pads. What else?
I have PB Pro Polish and EX-P on the way from AG... is that enough?
