From challenging paintless dent repairs across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to celebrating 20 years of Dents First, the last six months have been a busy one. Add in a new electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz, some fantastic cars and a bit of Tamiya nostalgia, and there’s been plenty to talk about!
Another busy six months at Dents First
It’s been another busy period for Dents First Mobile Paintless Dent Removal, with jobs taking me across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and beyond.
One of the best things about this business is that no two days are quite the same. One day I might be correcting a previous repair that hasn’t quite gone to plan; the next, I could be working on a performance car, a classic or something a little more unusual.
Paintless dent removal is all about patience, experience and knowing how to work the metal back into shape without damaging the original paintwork. It sounds straightforward, but some repairs can be considerably more challenging than others!
Over the past six months, there have been some great examples of why experience really matters.
Putting things right with paintless dent removal
Back in April, I shared a job involving a Hyundai where, having repaired the rear door, I was also asked to rectify some disappointing previous work on the front door and roof rail.
Unfortunately, putting right a poor repair can sometimes be harder than doing the job properly in the first place. It takes time, patience and a good understanding of how the panel has been affected.
It was a good example of why I always stress the importance of experience and skill when choosing a dent removal specialist.
There were BMW bootlid repairs, too, along with work on other vehicles where the aim was to achieve the best possible finish while retaining the original paintwork.
If you have a dent that needs attention, whether it’s fresh damage or a previous repair that hasn’t quite worked out, it’s always worth asking whether paintless dent removal can help.
From Sutton-in-Ashfield to some very special cars
The variety continued into May, including a morning job in Sutton-in-Ashfield involving an Alfa Romeo.
It’s always good to get out and about, working on different vehicles and helping owners get their cars looking right again.
June brought another job that was particularly enjoyable: a Porsche Targa complete with RUF wheels. Some cars just have a little extra character, and I never get tired of seeing interesting vehicles come through the workshop.
I also had a look at a Morris Traveller that had been caught in a hailstorm in France.
Thankfully, the damage was limited to four impacts, but the repair wasn’t quite as straightforward as it might first appear. The car had already been painted, the headlining couldn’t be removed, and the aluminium roof skin presented its own challenges.
After testing a cold-glue approach, I decided the safest option was to leave the repair until after the customer’s shows, rather than risk damaging the paintwork with another technique.
Sometimes knowing when not to proceed is just as important as knowing how to carry out a repair. With classic vehicles in particular, protecting the existing finish has to come first.
A new chapter: the electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz
One of the biggest changes during this period has been the move to the Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van.
For a mobile dent removal business, the van is an essential part of everyday working life. It carries the equipment I need and gets me to customers across Nottingham, Derby and the surrounding areas.
The ID. Buzz brings something different to the business. It combines the practicality of an electric commercial vehicle with styling inspired by Volkswagen’s iconic vans, and it certainly attracts attention wherever it goes.
I’ve been sharing the new van on social media, including some more playful posts that show it has a personality of its own!
Moving to electric has also introduced a new way of thinking about business travel, from charging arrangements to planning the working day. It’s an exciting change and a fitting new chapter for Dents First.
Most importantly, it allows me to continue providing the same convenient mobile paintless dent removal service, coming to customers at home or work wherever the repair is suitable.
Twenty years of Dents First!
August marked a particularly important milestone: 20 years since Dents First was born.
After spending nine years working for two other companies, I started Dents First and set about building my own business.
Twenty years is a long time in any industry, and I’m proud of how far the business has come. The vehicles have changed, technology has moved on, and the way we communicate with customers is very different, but the fundamentals remain the same.
Experience, attention to detail, honest advice and taking pride in the finished job have always mattered.
I’m grateful to everyone who has supported the business over the years, whether through repeat work, recommendations or simply following along on social media.
Reaching 20 years is a great opportunity to look back, but there’s still plenty to look forward to.
Dents First Classic PDR and a lifelong love of cars
Cars have always been about more than just getting from A to B for me. That passion is part of the reason I enjoy working on such a wide variety of vehicles, and it’s also why the classic-car side of my interests remains so important.
The Porsche Targa and Morris Traveller were reminders of the variety of vehicles that can need specialist attention. Classic and enthusiast-owned cars often deserve extra consideration, particularly where existing paintwork, restoration work or originality is concerned.
Through Dents First Classic PDR, I can share more of that side of the automotive world alongside the day-to-day work of repairing dents.
Whether it’s a classic that’s been cherished for decades or a modern performance car, the satisfaction comes from helping owners keep their vehicles looking their best.
The Tamiya obsession never really goes away!
Something else that became apparent during the summer is just how many friends and customers share another childhood passion: Tamiya radio-controlled cars.
I posted about how Tamiya is one of those things that never really leaves you. Plenty of us who grew up building and running these cars have rediscovered the hobby as adults.
It turns out that conversations about classic cars aren’t the only way to discover shared interests with customers!
I’ve also been having fun with my own Tamiya projects. In October, I shared a Grasshopper II build featuring a Madbull bodyshell, a 540 brushed motor, BBX-style replica alloy wheels, a Madbull rear axle, a gyro and working lights.
The finished setup certainly isn’t a standard Grasshopper II, but that’s half the fun of the hobby: experimenting, building and making something your own.
It’s a nice reminder that whether we’re talking about full-size classics or radio-controlled cars, the enthusiasm for all things automotive can stay with us for life.
Looking back — and looking forward
From putting right difficult dent repairs to working on interesting cars, introducing the electric ID. Buzz and celebrating 20 years in business, the last six months have offered plenty of reasons to be grateful.
Dents First remains focused on providing quality mobile paintless dent removal across Nottingham, Derby and the surrounding areas, helping customers avoid unnecessary paintwork wherever possible.
Thank you to everyone who has recommended the business, booked a repair, shared a post or followed the journey over the past 20 years.
Here’s to the next chapter — more interesting cars, more satisfying repairs and plenty more motoring adventures along the way!
Need dent removal in Nottingham or Derby?
If your car has picked up an unwanted dent, Dents First Mobile Paintless Dent Removal offers a convenient mobile service across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
From door dings and creases to more challenging panel damage, I can assess the repair and advise whether paintless dent removal is suitable.
Contact Dents First:
● Website: https://www.dentsfirst.co.uk/
● Telephone: 07842 537596
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dentsfirst.co.uk
● Instagram: @dents_first_classicpdr
Send over a few photographs of the damage and your vehicle, and I’ll let you know what may be possible.
Dents First Mobile Paintless Dent Removal — experience, attention to detail and a passion for cars old and new.
