Need advice on fixing a dent

[usmcrettop]

Hi,
I have a small dent in the rounded body panel just below the passenger door. It's the area you would call the running board on the old air cooled bugs. About half of this panel has been slightly flatten. Does anyone out there in "beetle-land" have experience fixing these? Looking for any advice . . .

(PS-does anyone have any info on a running board conversion kit for the new beetles??)

Thanks for your time and all the best, Jerre

[SMG]

I'd go with running board covers, they're black rubber and look good enough.

I'd fill the area with bondo or something before applying the kit though, or else the rubber will probably warp into the void.

TMTuning.com carries the kit, not sure about other places.

As a purist, I have to call shame on you for the 'homemade wolfsburg edition' Beetle, but that's just my opinion and it's your car.

Good luck dude!

SMG

[SMG]

Just to add, in case you don't want to do covers:

These running boards aren't swappable like most parts, they have to be cut out and new ones welded back in.

[usmcrettop]

Figured it wasn't an easy part to get to, remove or replace. Think I'll have a look at your suggestion, thanks again, Jerre

[silverspoiler]

That part is called the rocker panel.

I had to fix the same part a few year ago after it was dented in a similar manner. I had it done by a bodyshop, and it wasn't terribly expensive. I was told that the entire rockerpanel had to be replaced, you can't just cut out the damaged part of it.

I don't remember the exact figure, but I don't think it was anymore than $400 (Cdn). Now there is no evidence left.

Good luck.

[usmcrettop]

Any additional suggestions on where I might find Rubber Running Board Covers, kinda' like the idea and it would go nicely with my "old school" hubcaps . . .