Ok, so this may not be MINI content exactly, but hopefully you can relate...

A week ago I came out of work and found my Audi S4 with a front tire flat. I was parked on a flat parking lot, in gear, brake set. I jacked up the car using the crappy fold up factory death jack and removed the old wheel. Just as I was reaching in with the spare wheel about to line it up on the hub the jack creeped forward ever so slowly and the car collapsed with a horrible thud nearly taking my head off.

The front fender opening jammed down onto the center of the wheel/tire and was the only thing that stopped the car from smashing the front end into the concrete. So there I was, the fender cutting into the center tire/wheel looking like it was going to slice it in half. The front bumper was nearly on the ground. Of course the fender could not support the heavy car and it moved up and buckled in and popped out like a washboard in 2-3 places. The leading edge front door gap disappered to the point that the door would not open. The fender 'line' was off 1/4" or more. It was a fricking mess.

I managed to rejack the car up again (barely room to get the jack under the car now) and finally installed the wheel. It had a couple slices from the fender edge. I drove home knowing I was looking at a new fender, paintwork that would probably not match. Blah, blah. I was sure I would end up selling the car because I would never be happy.

On a whim I decided I would show this to my Paintless Dent Removal man, owner of The Dent Co., here in St. Louis. I dropped off the car for the full day. The results were amazing. No paint work, no scratches, no waves or imperfections. Door gap and sight lines absolutely perfect. I was shocked! He saved my car. (On knees bowing with appreciation) I would have paid 10 times what he charged me.

I owe John a plug...bigtime! He has fixed many dents for me but this was amazing. I am going to start sending him Christmas cards. I may carry a sign in front of his shop. I'm going to bake him cookies.

Got a ding? See John Ransin, owner of The Dent Co. here in St. Louis. (636-346-5362 cell)

Tell him Brad Bloomquist sent you. Life is good again.

 

On a recommendation from Brad, I just saw John Ransin this past week for six little dents that have been on the car since I bought it used 4 years ago. At least, I HOPE I didn't put them there like Brad did to his...

Anyway, EXCELLENT work. Amazing! He let me watch him work and he is a true artist. Everything is smooth as can be -- can't even tell they were there. He even found a tiny one that I didn't know about, and though I'm not a Brad Bloomquist, I'm still pretty particular!

Highest, highest recommendation.

Thanks, Brad!

John Ransin is "Da Dent MAN!"

 

How small of a defect can you remove with PDR? I just found a small depression on my driver's door. It's so small (less than 1") and so shallow that you can't even really tell where the deformity starts or stops. I only noticed because as I was walking up to the car, I saw a reflection get a little bit "wavy" as it moved across this one spot.

 

related--
I have a paint scratch on my door, no real dent. Just a small scar in the paint coat, about 1/2" long.

Anyone had luck with the blob stuff and factory touch-up paint combo, or is it just wishful thinking that I can make that scratch disappear with a little bit of my own time?

 

Something like that is an easy fix for the PDR pros. I speak from experience.

 

The results of Lanka, the blob remover, is limited. It is not magic and with some skill you can reduce the obviousness of the scratch, but you will not make it disappear.

I have sample packets of Lanka if you want a freebie. Shoot me a PM with your address and I will pop a couple in the mail to you. Or we could get together if you like and look it over and evaluate. I can always talk detailing!

Brad

 

John's guys also removed a crease in my bonnet that is no longer noticeable. It was in a tough spot behind the supports, but they worked it out.