Got a ding! Can paintless dent removal work!?

Question

Level 1

64 points

Got a ding! Can paintless dent removal work!?

I thought I might give this a shot. I slipped, fell w/ my laptop in my Speck SeeThru case, then wrapped in a Incase neoprene wrapped fully in a LowePro laptop+camera bag. Basically, I was trying out a skateboard, being a dummy, slipped and landed right on my back. Haha so I laugh now.

Basically, on the front flat surface of the bottom casing (exact opposite side of the CD slot), I got a ding cause the Speck case dug into the aluminum. Since it's a flat surface and the ding is relatively circular in nature, would a car dent removal method work? Anyone tried this or recommend me to do it - or better yet - not to do it?

MacBook Pro C2D 2.33GHz, 2GB, 160GB, Mac OS X (10.4.9), White iPod 30GB, Shuffle 512MB

Posted on Apr 5, 2007 10:46 PM

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Answer 1

jayv.

Level 4

1,303 points

Apr 5, 2007 11:06 PM in response to Bung

Warranty ? if so bring it in, messing around/taking it apart urself can and prolly will void warranty.
No warranty ?... i'll leave that up to you 😉
Good luck.

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Answer 2

k3nt

Level 1

10 points

Apr 5, 2007 11:21 PM in response to jayv.

The warranty for sure won't cover any self inflicted damage to the computer.. as for the ding repair method, it's up to you. Probably won't look perfect but it might do the job. You can replace the casing on the macbook but of course you'll have to pay.

Good Luck 🙂

Kent

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Answer 3

Apr 5, 2007 11:37 PM in response to Bung

I don't know how familiar you are with car dent removal. It's a very impressive skill, I've seen amazing things.

However, it's done with a hammer, from inside. They'll slip in through a window slot, or drill a small unobtrusive hole, and insert a small hammer, and patiently tap the dent out. The also tap from the outside, to relieve stress. I was amazed to see the guy tapping directly on the paint of my car with a metal hammer, without leaving a mark - and he took out some significant creases. Afterwards, the repairs were undetectable.

Obviously, that won't work on the Mac. You'd need to disassemble it, which is probably not something most people should attempt.

I don't think car dent removal techniques make sense. Live with the dent, or pay about $400 to have the case replaced.

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Answer 4

Bung Author

Level 1

64 points

Apr 6, 2007 7:36 AM in response to tele_player

I don't know how familiar you are with car dent
removal. It's a very impressive skill, I've seen
amazing things.

However, it's done with a hammer, from inside.
They'll slip in through a window slot, or drill a
small unobtrusive hole, and insert a small hammer,
and patiently tap the dent out. The also tap from the
outside, to relieve stress. I was amazed to see the
guy tapping directly on the paint of my car with a
metal hammer, without leaving a mark - and he took
out some significant creases. Afterwards, the repairs
were undetectable.

Obviously, that won't work on the Mac. You'd need to
disassemble it, which is probably not something most
people should attempt.

I don't think car dent removal techniques make sense.
Live with the dent, or pay about $400 to have the
case replaced.

Case is well over $1000 to replace and it's a nylon bit they hammer they use to lightly tap the paint.

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Answer 5

Apr 6, 2007 7:50 AM in response to Bung

Actually - the guy who did my car used a steel hammer, on the outside - I watched the whole thing, and we discussed the tools. He was very good.

I just checked a place called macservice, and they list replacement of the bottom case on Macbook Pro at $340.

Quad G5, PB 15" 1.5Ghz,MacBook 2.0GhzCore2Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8) Logic Pro 7.2.3, Focusrite Saffire...

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Answer 6

Apr 6, 2007 8:16 AM in response to Bung

Hi Bung,

It would probably be less expensive to replace the case, and you know that would remove the ding. Sorry that Bung got a Ding 🙂

http://www.ifixit.com/Categories/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch/85

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