PDR on Gas Tank vs Body Shop .. OPINIONS?

[Cucciolo]

Hey folks!

I have a dent on my gas tank and want to send it to a guy who does PDR. He quoted me $199.00 for labor but I have to ship it to him. I have the stock tank for the S4R with no custom job and was wondering if you think it is the most cost effective way to fix this dent this way versus taking it to a body shop that would repaint the whole thing after filling the dent. I haven't quoted a body shop yet.. thought I'd ask for opinions here first. The idea is to save money 

[Porsche Monkey]

PDR won't work. The metal is too thick. Ask your PDR guy if he has any experience with Ducati tanks.

[Bun-bun]

Body shop.
Rumor has it that there's this guy , he's on the forum a LOT, and he paints ducs. Now if I could just remember his avatar. . . .



Kidding aside, PDR is'nt all that P that it's built up to be, and a body shop, or Duc painter(What is that guys name. . .   ?) is probably not going to be that much higher priced. Plus, it gives you more artistic freedom to make it just the way you want it.

See my "the Rat bike lives" thread in A&M for an idea of the process.

[Howie]

Paintless dent removal can be done, depending on the damage, but usually some evidence of the damage remains.  It might be worth it if you were having it done locally for a lot less money.  If you want the tank fixed and repainted it needs to go to someone who does motorcycle tanks. 

The guy who's name Bun-Bun can't remember can be found here:
http://www.frostysfinishes.com
Whats his name will treat the inside of your tank with POR 15 and reinforce the hinge as part of the repair.

[Porsche Monkey]

Paintless dent removal can be done, depending on the damage, but usually some evidence of the damage remains.  It might be worth it if you were having it done locally for a lot less money.  If you want the tank fixed and repainted it needs to go to someone who does motorcycle tanks. 

The guy who's name Bun-Bun can't remember can be found here:
http://www.frostysfinishes.com
Whats his name will treat the inside of your tank with POR 15 and reinforce the hinge as part of the repair.

I have had two different PDR guys try my tank with two different methods.  Mind you these are two of the best PDR guys in town.  Neither one had any luck with my tank.  Couldnt even get close.  As Howie said, usually some evidence of the damage remains. 

[redial]

my local shop told me it could be done but only if the dent is totally smooth.
the dings (sharper and smaller) left inside the dent caused by the handlebar controls
would not come out with the paint in tact as they would have to put tool marks on them to get them out


quoted 120 for dent and let me paint it,
or 340 to fix all marks and repaint any color. im going to do this when i have some extra money
they even clear and sand over the logo until you cant feel it with your fingernail.
very awesome paint guys and they have experience with ducati tanks Black Walnut in central PA if anyone is nearby

[Porsche Monkey]

Send it do Ducpainter. If your going to spend the money then spend it on someone who knows these tanks. Let him do the hinge repair even if its not leaking, yet. Any body shop can paint a tank, it would suck if your freshly done tank started leaking.

[Cucciolo]

I will contact ducpainter..
Either way I will have to get the tank removed and shipped. Is this easy to do? I have to remove the fuel pump.. better off having the shop remove it ? wonder how much that would cost.

[Porsche Monkey]

Your best bet would be to ask Ducpainter. 

[red baron]

Isn't the tank plastic?


Be very careful with PDR, they can very easily crack the paint and you won't see it and this will let moisture begin to attack the steel and start corrosion (rust).

[red baron]

I will contact ducpainter..
Either way I will have to get the tank removed and shipped. Is this easy to do? I have to remove the fuel pump.. better off having the shop remove it ? wonder how much that would cost.

It's very easy and no need to remove the pump. Just make sure you get all the fuel out.

[ducpainter]

It's very easy and no need to remove the pump. Just make sure you get all the fuel out.

the pump does have to come out to braze and coat...