Our Thundercloud Metallic xB has three very realistic bullet holes in the driver's side door panels after a drive-by shooting. I know some people put bullet hole stickers on for effect, but this is definitely not the style for our sedate, peace-loving family of four. We got a couple of estimates, but it would be $1200 to repair and our insurance has a $1000 deductible. We don't want to spend that kind of money right now, especially since we may need to move to a safer neighborhood! Our neighbor suggested going the bondo/spray paint route, but we are not very handy and really not confident in our abilities to pull this repair off successfully. We were thinking about putting some auto decals over the bullet holes, but since there is bare metal around the bullet holes, I am wondering if it would start rusting under the decals. I read about putting clear nail polish on to prevent rust in another post here. Would that be enough? I wonder if it would be better to put filler in case the bullet hole would create a funny bubble in the decal. Also, we would appreciate any ideas on where to get decals. We have thought about the daisies you see on VWs sometimes, but wonder if that would look weird on a Scion xB. Thanks for any advice or ideas.

 

I would recommend you look at Eastwood lead free body solder. It could be used to fill the holes rather than bondo and is like metal.

First thing no matter what you do take the door panels off and get the metal as flat as possible.

Personally I would recommend fixing the holes rather than stickers. If you do stickers paint the bare metal with a good primer and clear (rattle can is fine). Clear nail polish is for chips not bullet holes.

 

see if there is an autobody school around, alot of vocational schools have autobody programs. A buddy of mine took his car in to one and they fixed it completely, and did an awesome job. he had to just buy the parts. It's worth a shot.

 

find a panel from a local bodyshop and slap it on.

my 2 cents.

 

Thanks for the great ideas everyone! I have no idea how to take a door panel off, so maybe I better start by looking for vocational schools that might be able to help.

 

I saw a set of complete doors for sale, not sure where. It was either Ebay or here or clubxb. I think they where around $600 for both. Check the classifieds.

 

To repair the door and repaint your looking at about 800 clams. The metal is thin and it will take some work ( man hours ) to get it back. You may want to start looking at local junk yards for the TCM door for about a 1/4 of the fix it price.

To remove the inner door panel....

Remove the screw where the door handle is
Remove the plastic screw in the upper right hand corner.
Remove the screw in the pull handle in the arm rest.
Place one hand in the lower right hand corner and pull towards you.
The bottom will pop off, then just lift up and out of the window channel.
Unhook the wires and your golden.

Taking the panels off is really easy. Taking apart the entire car is easy. Basically it pops together like Leggos.

 

ah put more holes in it and make a fashion statement

 

i would suggest moving first

 

i agree with that statement...

 

Man, That must suck! At least nobody got hurt. You definately need to take care of family first. If you are considering the Bondo patch job, don't. If you didn't take care of the hole first, plugging it with Bondo is a waste of time and money. I'd try to fold the torn metal back into place and lead it. That should keep for a while until you can do it correctly. Good Luck... and DUCK!

 

Speed Holes!!!!!!

But seriously, sorry to hear your vehicle was a casualty to retarded people. Luckily you are safe and healthy. I would suggest the Eastwood body solder, I used it on my Ford Escort back in the day and it worked out wonderful.

 

i would primer and clear coat with rattle can paint and then get the hell out of dodge before worrying about fixing it for now. i wouldn't care what others saw on the outside of my car, even if was bullet holes, i'd sport the holes with a little silicone sealing the holes from outside water and just primer paint over it for now and get out of there ASAP. knowing anyone's luck, right after you fix it, another drive by happens and you get more holes...

 

Have you checked any locak salvage yards for used doors? Again, looks like around $600 for a door, I'm assuming glass and everything is included. Since TCM was a popular 1gen color, you should even be able to find one that matches. I would think the 04-06 could use the same door. look here:

http://car-part.com/

The body shop would probably re-skin the door rather than repairing the hole. They pop the spot welds and lay a new section of metal, weld and paint.

 

I know who did it! it was B.A. Baracus.

He was shooting at your box and trying to spell 'THE A-TEAM' in bullet holes but he ran out of bullets =(

roflmao!

seriously tho, that sucks, i would think insurance should cover it.