Body shop recommendations

[Anastasis]

In light of the recent hail storm, anybody got a good recommendatino for a good body shop. Looks like the hood will have to be replaced, or atleast get a good work over.

 

[RiceHorn04]

In Austin? I took my truck to some place on South Congress, I think it might have been Longhorn collision or something like that. Charged about 1/4 of what the other shops were quoting me.

 

[Mizzou415]

I've taken two cars to Twomey Auto Works on S. Congress. Had a good experience both times.

 

[SuperHero]

Talked to my car dealer yesterday, and he said they (First Texas Honda) get their work done by Dent Busters on Burnet south of 183.

This f'ing sucks!!!

My car was < a week old, now it looks like a f'ing golf ball.

 

[wherzwaldo]

My parents have had good experiences with B&B Body and Paint on North Lamar in the past.

Do NOT go to Haas Collision on Burnet. They dragged their feet while repairing my mom's Suburban, and we had to take the car back twice because they installed some parts wrong.

 

[accuratehorn]

If the dings can be removed without regular bodywork, Dent Busters or a similar place would be the way to go, if there are not too many. Go by there and get an opinion from them. Otherwise, I recommend Rebreu Body and Frame on Kramer Lane. Not a hole in the wall, cheapo place, but good regular paint and body work, should be done correctly.

 

[SuperHero]

accuratehorn,
How about if there are ~100 small dings? Would you recommend still taking it to Dent Busters?

 

[ornjblud]

I've used Dent Busters and they're magicians when it comes to PDR.

I've also heard great things about Rebreu.

 

[Anastasis]

I'm going to dent busters tomorrow morning. Will report on their findings.

 

[TTUFIN]

Custom Body Shop on S. Lamar. Talk to Roger, super nice guy who does good work. We have taken numerous vehicles there.

 

[accuratehorn]

I think Dent Busters charges by the ding, so if you have 100, it may be more expensive than regular body work, but they will give you the estimate if you drive in with the car.

 

[SuperHero]

Went to Dent Magic (not Busters) on Burnet just now. $1400 to pop out the dings without replace the rain rails and misc damaged trim. They mentioned that the areas above the windows will be difficult to completely fix since there are so many layers of metal there, and impossible to get whatever tool they use behind it.

Question about anyone in insurance:
- If the car is not returned to "less than a week old" condition, will there be any compensation for now having a car that isn't "less than a week old" new condition?
- I have $30/day rental car allowance. Since I have a 2nd car, and would like to drive that, can I pocket the $30/day?

 

[Anastasis]

Went to a couple places to get estimates...to give you an idea of the extent of damage, There are prob about 10 small dents on the hood and about the same on the roof. Also 2 dents on the deck lid. The fenders, and areas between the door and hood were undamaged. The guys implied that if the area above the doors was damaged, it would require body shop work. I guess I was lucky that I got a car cover and some towels on the car before the worst hail fell. Anyways, the estimates...

Dentbusters - $800; They had about 4 Benzs in the lot with dealer plates on them. Gave me a warm feeling about the quality of work they would do if the MB dealer was sending their cars there.

Fix-A-Dent - Guys started at $900, but came down to $650 before I left. Place was set up on the side of the road at 183 and Burnet.

Dent Magic - $630

The Fix-a-Dent "shop" was set up in the bowling alley parking lot on 183&Burnet, and it sounded like they were going to do the work there if I brought it in. The Dent-Magic and Dentbusters guys both had their own shops with garages. I am probably going to end up going to Dent-Magic.

Anybody have any experiences with Dent-Magic they can share?

 

[wherzwaldo]

$630-800 for 20 dents on the hood and roof?

Looks like I'll be cashing a pretty sweet insurance check on Friday. I'd say I easily have several hundred dents on my hood, roof, both right side doors, front fender, and rear body, as well as damage above the doors.

 

[Anastasis]

ww, the guy at one of the shops said he had done a couple estimates where the damage was almost $10k to repair. Perhaps a slight exageration, but still.

The majority of the cost for repair was the roof area, because they said that they would have to go in and remove the headliner to get access to the dents. The roof was $400 of the estimate, deck lid and hood were only $230 of the total. Thing is, the roof is not the worst part, the hood is much worse, but the dings on the roof are very noticable because they are more at eye level (sports car).

 

[wherzwaldo]

$10k damage would total my car by a long shot.

Does it make it any worse/more difficult that I have a roof rack (car is an SUV)?

 

[Anastasis]

Got the ride back today...Dent-Magic did a great job. I can't see any residual signs of hail damage, although I haven't given it a good washing a chamois yet.