Panel beater or DIY???

**GLITRES** · 10-03-2009, 08:26 PM

Hey guys, I had a look through the search fuction but wasn't really that much help.
I've got a bit of damage on my car

, right hand side front quarter panel, bonet and front bumper. I don't think the panel beater could fix the quarter panel or bonet so I was thinking what would be the cheapest...

1.Take it straight to the panel beater and get him to do it all

2.Go to the wreckers and get the panels i need, got the panel beater to paint them the colour i need and fit them myself?

I'm just not sure how much the panels will cost, how much the panel beater would charge either way, or if i could fit them myself.

I hope i explained my situation well enough
any suggestions will help alot guys
thanks

**Calaber** · 11-03-2009, 06:21 PM

If the damage is limited to the bonnet, guard and bumper, all the panels are easily unbolted. Check to see if any damage has been suffered by the inner panels (inner guard and radiator support panel. If they are straight, and the existing outer panels are history, it would be cheaper to get good second hand panels from a wrecker and fit them yourself, then get the car painted by a professional if you can't do it yourself.

Are you sure your existing panels can't be straightened out? Can you post pics of the damage?

**Dayvo** · 11-03-2009, 08:12 PM

If the car is still drivable it might be worth while taking your time to look for panels that are the same color as your car so you will save a few bucks.

**GLITRES** · 12-03-2009, 07:02 PM

yeah, sweet. thanks guys.
the car is still driveable, i'll put some pictures up as soon and my g/f gets home as she has the car.

I'm pretty sure the bonet can't be due to it being hollow in the middle, so you cant really push it out, and the side gard is F****D but the bumper is not too bad. but like i said ill put some up as soon as i can or i'll pm you guys that cool?

**VL Berlina 5speed** · 12-03-2009, 07:07 PM

anything is repairable!
depending on cost to cost of labour to fix you have the two choices
fix the panels or replace

being commodore parts arnt expensive second hand

**GLITRES** · 13-03-2009, 06:11 PM

here are some pictures of the damage,
tell me what you guys think I should do...

**Dayvo** · 13-03-2009, 07:59 PM

I'd be getting some new panels , you would have to heat shrink them with an oxy as they have been stretched a fair bit ,though the front bar can be heated up with a hair dryer and pushed out from the inside .