I have shifted my attention to repairing the panel that covers the spare wheel which also hosts the rear lights and the number plate (inside what is called a light box). The light box surround is that black piece of trim which I am also in the process of repairing.
This panel has at some point also been impacted and ‘pushed in’ on the right hand side (a co-incidence?). You can see in the picture below that the light unit does not fit flush with the panel so I have been trying to pull the dent out over the last couple of weeks. The pen marks show the extent of the damage but you can see it has been pushed inwards (by 11mm)
I have been trying a mix of levers to get to the back of the damage and I am slowly getting there (learning as I go) and you can see in the picture below that I have managed to get the panel flush with the light box frame which simply (there’s that word again) leaves me with getting the rest of the damage and the dent out of the panel.
I have yet to find a way to get a panel beating dolly into the inside of the panel where I need it – it is a shallow box section and I may have to make a limited use dolly although ultimatly I will lead load the surface to get it flat for paint.