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So I got an 05 civic that's had some body damage done to it, and I'm looking to restore it. Here's the list:

Paint scratches
Cracked rear bumper
Front bumper is only attached by 4 clips or so
Weather guard is gone
Scratches on paint

Here's the killer:
That attached side panel we have under the doors? Yeah, bashed in. Dealer quoted it as a $2-3000 job.

I already have a new front bumper on the way. The interior and the motor are perfectly fine. I mainly want to ask for suggestions on this side panel problem. I know the dealers will charge out the *** anyway. I've looked into side skirts for it, but I just don't think they'll cover it. I'll post a pic a little later.

 
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There's the pictures.

 
Rep Power: 277

It's pretty obvious that thing was in a wicked crash and they just replaced the most beat up parts to increase resale value. Obviously fixing that bottom piece wasn't worth it and it doesn't look like it's really expensive so they left it and let the buyer worry about it.
Unfortunately I don't really have any suggestions to help your case, but if you find a deal on the repairs for that bottom piece when shopping around, be sure to ask them how they're planning to fix it. Some cheap bodyshop could fill that in with bondo, sand it down, paint over it and it'll look like new for a few weeks, months, years. But eventually it'll crack and look like **** again, so make sure they're popping out what they can and welding in extra pieces of metal for what they can't. Good luck.

 
Rep Power: 812

time for sideskirts! and new bumper, and new paint. then it will be good.

 
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I have my new front bumper on the way, and I'm shopping around for a rear one now. If anyone can find a nice set of sideskirts please link them to me so I can check them out. I don't want anything real ricey. Also, I'm thinking about a new color, since most of it will have to be repainted anyway. Any opinions?

 
Rep Power: 277

Get something that won't look bad with a silver engine bay because you won't be able to paint that without pulling the engine.

 
Rep Power: 388

You can jack the car up, prop it on stands, and then drill holes in the bottom and hammer out the rocker panel from the bottom inside... its a pain, any probably going to turn out shitty if you do it yourself. You can weld rods to the outside and pull it out (probably how a shop would do it), then sand it down and body filler over any small imperfections (not bondo)

Your other option is to get side skirts- oem is what most people prefer. You can get other ones, but you really want something thats going to hide that as best as possible. You could try to do some fiberglassing after you pick up side skirts to hide the gap when the door is opened.

Another member on this site had your problem way back when... and he solved it with using side skirts, just looked shitty when he opened the door.

 
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Thanks for the tip. If anyone knows where to find a nice set of OEM side skirts, please give me a link, all I can find are some pretty ricey looking sets. I've got my new front bumper and I found a new rear, so this is coming along nicely. I've been thinking either black or white for the new color.

 
Rep Power: 812

www.handaaccessories.com

 
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Nice, I like the look of the set they have. For all of you in the DFW area, I'm looking for a great and affordable paint shop. Any listings would be appreciated.

Edit: So I don't think those OEM sides will work. They require attaching clips to an area that's bashed in. In the post from Triz up above, welding rods was mentioned. So, if any of you know any body people in the DFW area that can do this, let me know who they are.