If you have backed into a pole when trying to park your RV or another car tapped your bumper, you may have a dent in the body of your RV. When this occurs, you will want to take your car to an RV collision repair center for repair. However, removing a dent from your RV is very different than removing a dent from your car. As such, you may have many questions, especially when you see the recommended work order and estimate. Here are a few of the questions you may have about RV dent removal:

How Are Dents Removed From the Body of an RV?

If you have a newer RV, the only way to remove a dent from the RV is to remove the panel that the dent is on and replace the panel with a new one. Unlike with automobiles, dents cannot be pulled out or pounded out of the body of the RV. And using a compound to hide the dents is not recommended either, as it can alter the look and the value of your RV. 

Why Can't Dents Just Be Pulled Out? 

The body on automobiles is made from metal. Typically it is either aluminum, steel or a combination of both. If there is a dent present, the dent can be pulled or pounded out, as metal has some flexibility and give. But newer model RVs have bodies that are made from fiberglass. Fiberglass does not have any flexibility or give to it. It can't be pounded on or pulled, or it will crack or break. This is why dents cannot just be pulled out and why the entire panel has to be replaced if there is a dent present. 

Is Painting Always Needed When Dent Removal is Done? 

New panels are often white or tan in color. They do need to be painted to match the body of your RV. However, in most cases, only the panel itself needs to be painted. However, if you have a custom paint job or the color of paint on your RV cannot be matched, your entire RV may need to be painted after the new panel is installed. 

If you have a dent in your RV, it is important to realize that the dent simply can't be pulled or pounded out like with an automobile. As such, dent removal is a more extensive process and costs a lot more on an RV. If you have a dent in the body of your RV, contact a collision repair shop like Chehalis Collision Center for an estimate.