I have a rather large dent on the passenger side by the spare tire of my 99 Firebird. Couldn't I just take the spare out and use a rubber mallet or something to see the dent pops back out? My dad wants to call the insurance company, but if it can be done this way I would rather.

Thanks

 

thats the first thing you should do, but there will probably still be some visible waves, or deformities. youll probably end up having to fill and shape it

 

I've tried repairing dents myself on the rear steel quarter panels and they are difficult to get out. I was never actually able to get mine out. You have to be very careful with how hard you press/push (or hit--I didn't try a mallet) because if you overdo it, you're in more trouble than you originally were in.

The problem with steel is that when you get a dent, it stretches the steel out to the point that even if you push it out perfectly, there may still be a bit too much material. That is why when you see Chip Foose on TV repairing dents, he sometimes cuts the dent out and shapes a new piece of steel to go in its place. (Actually, he usually does that for rust... but... as far as I know, the same goes for heavy dents if you don't want to use a generous amount of bondo).

 

this might sound crazy, but my buddy had a dent like yours, and we put a toilet plunger on it and pulled it right out...we werent expecting it to work, but it was a large dent that was pretty shallow...might be worth trying but be carefull how hard you push/pull...

 

leave it to a pro and call a p.d.r. specialist(paintless dent removal)...usually costs about $75-100 for the first dent depending on size and location...then $50 for any dent thereafter...no waves either...

 

My local Pontiac dealership uses the paintless dent removal guys. Try calling a Pontiac dealer and asking who they use. (Pontiac instead of Chevy because Chevy deals mostly with trucks and is less likely to have a skilled guy to do it in my opinion.)

 

If you pop it out yourself with a mallet, you'll still have a deformed/ "stretched" spot like others have stated.

Paintless dent repair outfits might be able to repair it. Otherwise, you're looking at a few hours of body labor and refinish time on that quarter panel which will likely run you $450 or more.

 

This the way to go. I also had one there. I tried "poping" it out my self and did get some out.
I had a guy last year at the gathering in Atlanta P.D.R. and it looks great you cant even tell. He told me dont every try to pop it out your self like that. He also told me if someone tells him that they tried it on there own he will charge double becuse it makes is work that much harder.
I would highly recomend going this way.
he wanted $100 I gave him $125 becuse I was so impressed.
Good luck.