Why is it not recommended to repair a dented side skirt?
3 Answers
The reasons why it is not recommended to repair a dented side skirt are: the cost of repairing the side skirt is relatively high, and since it is located below the door, whether it is repaired or not does not make much of a difference. The functions of a car's side skirt are as follows: 1. It can reduce the airflow entering the underside of the car from both sides of the body; 2. At high speeds, it acts like suction, pulling the chassis closer to the ground, thereby increasing stability; 3. When driving at high speeds, if the direction remains stable, the computer will save this setting. Relevant information about car maintenance is as follows: 1. Introduction: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car, also known as car servicing. 2. Maintenance scope: Modern car maintenance mainly includes the engine system (engine), transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, and other maintenance areas.
I've driven cars for quite a few years and have encountered side skirt dents several times. To be honest, repairing them is a real hassle. First, the cost is too high—taking it to a professional shop can cost hundreds or even thousands, and it takes a long time, often several days, which delays using the car. Second, the repair quality is hard to guarantee. Even if the surface is smoothed out, the plastic or metal inside might be damaged or deformed, making it more prone to future dents or rust corrosion on the chassis, which could increase future repair costs. Also, if the dent is small and doesn’t affect driving, it’s not worth filing an insurance claim because it might lead to higher premiums next year. Last time, I tried a simple DIY fix with some hammering, but it only made things worse and nearly affected the door’s operation. So, experience tells me that if it’s not particularly noticeable or functional, it’s better not to waste effort fixing it—just keep it as a souvenir.
I'm someone who doesn't pay much attention to the exterior when driving, so small dents on the side skirts are no big deal. That time when I reversed and scraped against a pillar, a section of the skirt got pushed in. My friends all advised me not to waste money fixing it since it's underneath the car anyway—it doesn't affect acceleration or braking, and the car drives just fine. Getting it repaired would be expensive in labor costs, require removing interior panels, and might damage other parts—just too much hassle. Plus, modern car side skirts are mostly made of composite materials, so any repair might leave mismatched colors or textures compared to the original, making it look even worse. When selling the car later, buyers usually don't care much about such minor flaws; they focus more on the engine condition. During routine maintenance, I just check that there are no cracks or leaks, then leave it as is. This way, I can save some money to upgrade the sound system instead.
