Squashed side rail/sill/sash... =-(

[spinjector]

I was going a round a curb and scraped/gouged/squashed the side rail under the door on my 02 NBTS... =-(

I've heard that with slow careful work, they can be formed out again.

Does anyone know anything about this?

I've been looking at auto body repair & shaping tools online, and I'm wondering if it's something I could start myself to save money, get them close to normal, and then hand it over to a shop to get sanded, filled, & painted.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by spinjector

I was going a round a curb and scraped/gouged/squashed the side rail under the door on my 02 NBTS... =-(

I've heard that with slow careful work, they can be formed out again.

Does anyone know anything about this?

I've been looking at auto body repair & shaping tools online, and I'm wondering if it's something I could start myself to save money, get them close to normal, and then hand it over to a shop to get sanded, filled, & painted.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

i had to have one of mine repaired when an 11x11" chunk of wood fell off a log truck on the highway and plowed into my car. The cost to have VW do it was about $800 (but it was fully covered by my insurance), and I have a zero deductible, so it cost ME nothing.

Most body shop's don't bother with "repairing" the rocker / skirt. They replace it. That's what VW ended up doing. Some of my local body shops told me the same thing. The time involved in actually repairing / sanding / filling / priming / painting a damaged rocker cost MORE than just replacing it with a new one, in most cases.

Before you do anything, I'd ask a body shop how much they would charge to put on new ones, also, as a direct comparison, ask them how much they would charge to do all the finishing work on damaged ones. Then compare prices, (and include the cost of all the tools / materials you were considering buying online to do this yourself).

Just a thought. Might be cheaper to have them replaced

[Volkswoman]

I don't know how big your dent or damage is (a photo would help) but when I purchased my NB it had a dent in the passenger side rocker panel. I repaired it myself. Sanded, primed and had paint made up at a custom paint shop. Of course you have to color sand it nicely, buff and polish when your done. But being that I would have had the entire cost out of my pocket I didn't mind too much taking on the task.

[O 16581 72452 5]

Join the club, i'm planning getting sideskirts eventually. Votex used to offer sideskirts that looked factory if you can still find them.

[peanutsmom]

Mine has a hug dent is this same spot.. But mine is on passenger side..

[spinjector]

Wow, I didn't know they could be replaced. I was actually told by two different people - one an owner of three Beetles (at the same time), and the other another owner of a NBTS and the manager of an Audi service center.

Just to be clear, we're all talking about the rounded tube that runs between the wheels under the door - the part closest to the ground, yes..?

So how do they replace it? Is it just spot welds and paint?

[bpeterson]

Originally Posted by spinjector

I was going a round a curb and scraped/gouged/squashed the side rail hardware under the door on my 02 NBTS... =-(

I've heard that with slow careful work, they can be formed out again.

Does anyone know anything about this?

I've been looking at auto body repair & shaping tools online, and I'm wondering if it's something I could start myself to save money, get them close to normal, and then hand it over to a shop to get sanded, filled, & painted.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

I also do not have any idea about this dude. Any ideas? I also need help.

[marvins_dad]

Yes spot weld.
Both fenders have to be removed though.
My body shop told me they would rather repair than replace, so it is up to the shop you end up at.

I recently damaged mine again and took the project on myself for half the cost.

Mine cost $1000 a few years ago, but I also had custom paint that had to be re-applied to the entire rocker.

Originally Posted by spinjector

Wow, I didn't know they could be replaced. I was actually told by two different people - one an owner of three Beetles (at the same time), and the other another owner of a NBTS and the manager of an Audi service center.

Just to be clear, we're all talking about the rounded tube that runs between the wheels under the door - the part closest to the ground, yes..?

So how do they replace it? Is it just spot welds and paint?

[groovybeetle]

What is the correct name for this tube?

I damaged the driver's side on mine last summer when I went to put my car in the garage to protect it from an approaching hail storm. I scraped a curb and gouged the rocker/skirt in a big way in the process, and have been kicking myself ever since.

About $1000 to replace?

[marvins_dad]

I believe it is Rocker Panel.
https://www.partswebsite.com/1stvwpa...imagecallout=4

[VDubYah]

My niece digged hers on the curb in front of the house. I got to thinking about trying one of those "stud welders' and a puller. Any body persons out there who have used one for this kind of repair.

[SMG]

It's a way better idea to pull and smooth it over, especially if the car is driven in the winter in somewhere where they salt the roads.

[spinjector]

Originally Posted by jjhone076

And TC is the #1 cancer for men 15-35. The sooner a doctor can catch it the better the prognosis, and most likely the less treatment will be required. It could also be a blocked vein, infection, or benign cyst, but all of those things also need a doctor's attention.

Ummm... That's fine advice, but perhaps was this comment was meant for a different discussion thread...on a different web site? =-)

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by spinjector

Ummm... That's fine advice, but perhaps was this comment was meant for a different discussion thread...on a different web site? =-)

No...It's and it's been reported...