A dent on the threshold of a car is not a death sentence, but only an annoying nuisance

11.07.2019

(Votes: 1, Rating: 1)

Issues discussed in the material:

What are the classic methods for repairing dents on a car doorstep?
How to remove a dent on a car doorstep without welding or painting
How much does it cost to repair a dent on a car door?

The threshold is the element of the car that is most susceptible to external mechanical influence. Since the condition of roads in Russia is not very good, dents on car sills have become a common problem for car enthusiasts.

Repairing car dents in auto repair shops

Nowadays, to eliminate such damage to the body, a device called a spotter, as well as other pulling devices, are used. In order to remove a dent on a car doorstep, the damaged area is cleaned from paint to metal. Next, using a spotter, several pulling elements are welded to the threshold. And at the end of the process, the dents are gradually drawn out, and, if required, the protruding places in the area of deformation are tapped.

The sequence of actions when pulling the threshold is determined by the type of damage. If the threshold flange is damaged, it is corrected first. This element is located at the very bottom of the threshold, at the junction with the bottom. The next step is to straighten the corners of the threshold if there are dents on them. From what is described above it is clear that first of all the threshold is returned to its original shape and only then the remaining irregularities are eliminated.

You can also pull out a dent on a car threshold using a welding machine:

If you have a semi-automatic welding machine, but do not have a spotter, then a reverse hammer can also be used for straightening. You can make it yourself or buy it in a store.
There is another way to straighten dents without using pulling devices. Its essence lies in the fact that the dent is cut with a cross (see the figure below) and each resulting segment is installed in place, for example, using a regular screwdriver. Then all the cut places are welded.
You can also use a chain attached to the floor to straighten the threshold. Metal loops or plates with loops are welded to the place of deformation, which are connected by a chain to the floor (or other element) of the box, and the machine is lifted with a jack. During the lifting process, the dent is gradually straightened out. This method is good for eliminating deformation of the threshold flange, which is very rigid and difficult to straighten.
If it is impossible to secure the chain to the lower elements of the box, then you should follow the same steps as in the previous paragraph, but insert a long lever (pipe or crowbar) into the chain.
One side of it should rest against a rigid part of the car’s underbody (spar), under which a block of the required thickness should be placed. The other gradually moves down. This way the lower part of the threshold is straightened. The side dent in the threshold can be straightened in the same way, but you need to find a side stop for the lever. For example, a block of the required length is passed under the machine, one side rests against the wall of the box, and the other side serves as a stop for the lever.
Since welding is used during the work, the inside of the threshold must be treated with an anti-corrosion agent. For these purposes, special technological holes are provided, closed with rubber plugs. As an option, you can use epoxy primer, which usually includes a tube with a nozzle that sprays 360 degrees. If you neglect this point, the metal will begin to rust from the inside.
Treating the front part of the threshold with epoxy primer before puttying will provide increased protection against corrosion.
Next, the threshold is puttied, leveled by sanding and primed with acrylic primer, and then prepared for painting and painted.

We recommend

“How to protect car sills: a few simple methods” Read more

What are the defects?

According to the nature of their origin, all defects are classified as natural, mechanical. In the first category:

erasing the coating from corrosion, paint;
the appearance of rust from exposure to external factors;
metal wear.

Mechanical damage means:

dents after hitting an obstacle, from impacts with gravel;
factory defects in paintwork, lack of corrosion protection.

The repair procedure is selected depending on the degree of damage; if corrosion has covered more than 70%, the part is completely replaced. In case of deformation, if the metal does not require cutting, it is enough to straighten it. If the outer layer of anti-corrosion is damaged without damaging the outer and inner parts of the metal, then clean it and apply protection.

Typically, drivers have to repair a part after hitting an obstacle; you can straighten the threshold on a car with your own hands if there is no internal wear of the metal.

How much does it cost to repair a car sill dent: price issue

It is better to entrust the removal of a dent on the threshold to service station technicians who know everything about how to remove a dent on the threshold of a car. The accumulated knowledge allows them to cope with this task, and they have all the necessary tools at hand. The service station creates all the conditions for performing work at a high level, but the cost of such services is very high.

Car owners who are not willing to pay this price can find more economical options. For example, you can contact a specialist who knows how to remove a dent on a car door sill. But such a specialist does not give any guarantees, and his garage does not always have the tools necessary for repairs.

Maximum savings can be achieved by eliminating the defect yourself. This is an excellent option for those who have already taken part in similar work and who have all the necessary tools and a suitable room for work.

But it is still better to carry out repairs from specialists. If you need to correct the geometry of the thresholds, you will need to perform several steps:

Find a company that provides similar services.
Discuss the price and terms of cooperation with the administrator.
Arrive at the appointed place or call a specialist to your place.
Provide your vehicle to perform the work.
Wait patiently for the work to finish.
Evaluate the result obtained.
Make a settlement with the master.

The price for such types of work varies greatly. It all depends on the following features:

How deep is the dent?
So many defects.
Difficulty of work.
What devices and tools are used.
Do I need to paint my car?
Straightening method.
What material are the spare parts made of?
Car model.
In what time frame must the work be completed?
Prestige of the company.

Prices (approximate) for stretching thresholds depending on the size of the defect are given below:

A dent of no more than 3 cm - within 900 rubles.
From 5 to 8 cm – 1,100–1,500 rubles.
From 10 to 15 cm – 2,500–3,500 rubles.
From 20 to 30 cm – 4,500–5,500 rubles.
More than 30 cm – from 6,500 rubles.

The cost of straightening one threshold without painting is approximately 4,000 rubles. With painting, the same work will cost 8,000–9,000 rubles. If it is necessary to remove a spare part, it will cost another 500 rubles.

We recommend

“Restoring a car after an accident: stages, choosing a service station, nuances” Read more

How do professionals straighten thresholds?

In modern body repair, when straightening deformed sills, a spotter and various pulling devices are used (for more information about these devices, see the article “Spotter”). First, the protective coating is removed from the threshold to bare metal. Then, using a spotter, pulling elements are welded to the threshold, after which the dents are gradually pulled out and simultaneous tapping of protruding places and folds around the deformation, if necessary.

p, blockquote 4,0,0,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 5,0,0,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 6,0,1,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 7,0,0,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 8,0,0,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 9,0,0,0,0 —>

The pulling sequence is carried out depending on the structure of the damage. If the threshold flange (the lowest part where the threshold connects to the bottom) is damaged, then it must be returned to its place first. Next, you need to straighten the corners of the threshold if they are jammed. Thus, the main shape of the threshold needs to be restored first, and minor irregularities are corrected last. Shallow dents can be straightened with a reverse hammer, which is included with the spotter.

p, blockquote 10,0,0,0,0 —>

How to fix a dent on a car doorstep using a reverse hammer

The use of a reverse hammer when leveling dents in a car threshold is advisable in cases where it is difficult to get to the place of damage or the part cannot be removed. Such repairs usually cannot be done without painting. To remove a dent, you must follow these steps:

Clean, dry and degrease the area to be restored. Remove traces of corrosion.
Attach a reverse hammer to the center of the damage. For this, a special suction cup or applicator is used.
By intensifying blows of the weight on the handle of the hammer, straightening is carried out
After restoring the outside of the body, the hammer is disconnected.

It makes sense to use an applicator or suction cup only for minor damage. Deeper and more complex dents are eliminated by welding a hammer to the surface or a hook to the technological holes with special hooks.

We recommend

“Stages of engine diagnostics: what determines the sequence of work” Read more

How to repair it yourself without painting

Among all types of repairs, pulling out the threshold without painting is possible only in the case of slight deformation, without a sharp edge, when the paintwork is not damaged. A smooth dent without folds can be pulled out on its own in only two ways:

using a pulling tool and hot glue;
vacuum suction cups.

At service stations, a type of paintless body service using PDR technology is common. In this way, small, shallow deformations are eliminated. Craftsmen use special tools: levers and hammers, squeezing out a dent always occurs from the inside. When repairing a non-removable body element, it is necessary to use external tools; vacuum suction cups remain the best option. Considering that most defects are associated with damage to paintwork and metal cracks, the paintless method is not used when:

The deformation of the metal has a sharp angle, and there is a crack in the protective coating.
The first signs of corrosion appeared.

In case of such damage, it is necessary to carry out full surface treatment before and after reducing the dent.

How to pull out a threshold with a reverse hammer

Pulling out a threshold with a reverse hammer is considered one of the most popular and easiest ways to remove significant dents from a non-removable element. For repair you will need:

grinding machine (grinder);
reverse hammer;
putty, hardener;
sandpaper R-120, R-80;
welding machine;
automotive primer, degreaser;

Before work, you must remove the negative terminal from the battery and hang the car on a jack. We will look at how to straighten the threshold on a car with our own hands step by step:

Grind the damaged area with a grinder. It is recommended to protect your eyes with goggles. When working, large grains of old paint and primer fly off.
Clean the area with sandpaper.
Weld the end of the reverse hammer to the threshold and begin to pull out the metal with small taps. The extraction is carried out starting from the edge of the dent.
Weld the hammer, maintaining a distance of at least 1-1.5 cm. Walk across the entire dent, gradually pulling the metal to its original state.
You cannot start drawing immediately after welding the hammer; you must wait until the part has cooled.
Sand the weld seams with a grinder and sand them.
If there are any unevenness on the surface, level it with a hammer and sand it.
Degrease and apply automotive primer.
Dilute the putty with the hardener, treat the surface, leveling the part.
The putty is applied with smooth, quick horizontal movements, and the protruding material is cut off.
After complete drying, the surface is sanded with R-80 sandpaper. A second layer of putty is applied and processed in the same way.
Auto enamel or any other protective agent is used: anti-gravel, film, etc.

Using a reverse hammer remains the most reliable way to repair permanent thresholds when deformed. It is guaranteed to be free from internal welding corrosion and is available at home.

Suction cup pulling

The use of a suction cup or vacuum hammer is justified in cases where the dent is small and repairs can be limited to without painting. However, if there is old damage, a complete surface treatment is carried out after extraction.

Drivers turn to the service station with one question: what to do if the threshold on the car is bent? Without understanding the nuances of the damage, they, as a rule, pay 70% more for the work of a tinsmith. To prevent this from happening, you need to remember: if the dent is corrected with a suction cup without additional painting, the technician spends up to 15 minutes on maintenance, and the cost of the work is calculated from time to time.

Other options for repairing dents in car sills without welding

In some cases, when pulling out dents on thresholds without painting, instead of rings and pins, you can use a vacuum suction cup. The required vacuum is created in it by a vacuum pump. But its use is not always possible, since the shape of the dent may be such that the device will not hold securely.

The bracket with suction cups and guide rod is also used for pulling out dents on thresholds without painting. The rod in the center of the dent is fixed at its base using special glue. It serves as the base on which the bracket is installed, and is connected to the edge of the bend with suction cups. Leveling out dents in the car threshold occurs by twisting the rod. Dismantling after straightening is completed is carried out using a special adhesive solvent that does not damage the paintwork of the threshold. Next, the rod is installed at another point, and the work is performed using the same technology.

Pulling out dents on car sills without painting is not always possible due to a number of reasons. The listed methods allow you not to resort to painting only in cases where the paintwork is not damaged. Undoubtedly, this approach saves time and money. So before you resort to welding, consider these methods for fixing dents on car door sills.

We recommend

“Restoring a car after an accident: stages, choosing a service station, nuances” Read more

Changing the pillar and threshold

If the threshold and the pillar are damaged, then it is necessary to replace the threshold and the pillar at the same time. You need to follow a simple procedure.

First, the B-pillar spar must be cut out. Before straightening the spar, you need to make sure that the car body is strong.

After this, the installation site must be cleaned, and all excess metal must be removed.

Next, the surface of the spar must be leveled and adjusted. After this, fastening, installation and welding are carried out. That's all. All that remains is to put the doors in place and adjust the gaps.

What to do if the dent on the car sill is too deep

If the damage is so complex that none of the above methods can be used, then all that remains is to cut out the entire threshold. To do this, the car doors and the floor covering under the seats are completely removed. After this, you can try to straighten the removed part by straightening it on a workbench, as is the case with removable thresholds, or install a new part to replace the old one.

Whatever method you choose to remove dents, never forget to treat the parts with anti-corrosion substances. Thresholds are very susceptible to rust.

By installing a new threshold without anti-corrosion treatment, you risk encountering the same problem again in the next few years, since moisture will quickly penetrate into the smallest cracks and lead to the formation of rust.

To paint the threshold, you need to choose the shade that is most compatible with the old paint. The same thing with varnish.

Minor body defects (chips, scratches, dents) of your car can be repaired with your own hands.

It is possible to restore those parts that have never been damaged and, accordingly, have not previously been repaired. If cracked paint, breaks and kinks are visible, then repairs cannot be completed without painting.

We recommend

“Hydraulic engine mount: features and advantages” Read more

Types of thresholds

Today there are two main types of thresholds - welded to the base or removable.

Removable thresholds are attached to the side and outside of the side members. Their main purpose is to protect the lower part of the car from small stones flying out from under the wheels.

Welded thresholds are more common. In fact, they blend into the underbody, giving it an extra level of rigidity.

Application of fiberglass and glue

For moderate damage, the method of sealing holes with fiberglass is often used. When this area has been processed and cleared of layers of paint and rust, it is necessary to cut several overlays from fiberglass, the size of the hole plus 2 centimeters. This area should be pre-primed and allowed to harden.

Auto repair kit

An overlay is applied to the dry surface and secured with a mixture (polyester or epoxy resin + glue). The next “part” is applied and also fixed. Thus, all the fiberglass parts are glued, placing them one on top of the other. To prevent them from sagging or deforming, you should put a lining. When the resin and glue have dried, you need to treat the work area and paint it.

Fiberglass

What is this?

The threshold straightening service refers to the work of an auto repairman to eliminate the defect of a given spare part.

You may need to order such a service in the following cases:

Presence of a dent due to an impact.
Presence of a manufacturing defect in the form of a dent.

It is better to contact professionals for car repairs. If it is necessary to restore the geometry of the thresholds, the motorist should take a number of actions:

Find a company that provides this type of service.
Contact the administrator to clarify the cost and terms of cooperation.
Come to the company or call a specialist.
Provide the machine to a specialist for repair.
Wait for the job to complete.
Evaluate the result.
Pay for the service of the master.

To align auto parts today, various tools and devices are used (for example, a spotter). The mechanic's algorithm is as follows:

Removing the protective paint coating.
Welding of pulling elements.
Pulling out a dent.
Coating the leveled area with paint and varnish.

Straightening the threshold using hot glue and a homemade pulling device

A smooth dent that does not contain sharp folds can be straightened out using a pulling device and hot glue. A similar principle is used in the adhesive system of the PDR paintless dent repair technology. You can make a pulling device yourself from wooden blocks and a long bolt with a nut and washers (see photo). The block with the bolt is glued to the deepest part of the dent, after which the bolt gradually twists and pulls the glued block along with it.

p, blockquote 16,0,0,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 17,0,0,0,0 —>

p, blockquote 18,0,0,1,0 —>

The bars that will rest against the entire part of the threshold (on both sides of the dent) must be made large enough in area so that the force is dissipated and the entire part of the threshold is not deformed. It is better to make the block that will be glued from durable wood so that it does not crack or delaminate during stretching. You can use birch. The head of the bolt, which will be on the glued side of the block, must be recessed by drilling a hole of the required diameter. This way the bolt will not interfere and will not turn while straightening the dent.

p, blockquote 19,0,0,0,0 —>

To apply hot glue, you can use either a special gun or a hair dryer. A hair dryer can also be used to heat up the glue if it has time to harden while being applied to a large area of the bar. Before gluing the block, the threshold must be thoroughly cleaned, dried and degreased. You need to pull it out slowly, pausing after tightening the bolt several times. If the glue peels off prematurely, before it is completely pulled out, then you may need to re-glue and repeat pulling out several times. You can gently tap the raised areas around the dent while pulling (if there are any).