Need some bodywork knowledge (Miata content)

I'm getting much better at working on cars but I don't know much about body work so I'm looking for some knowledge from the collective. Yesterday my (previously near mint) NA Miata was clobbered by a rouge shopping cart at Target (never mind that I had parked far away from any other cars or carts; where the cart came from I have no idea). I've got a massive, complex, 10-12" dent in the drivers door (pictured) and a 3" dent in the lower rocker (couldn't get a good picture since it's black) under the large dent. There doesn't look to be any paint damage with the large dent but there is on the rocker (which of course I just had professionally redone last year to fix a small rust spot down there).

Insurance won't help at all because I only have liability on the car. I'm going back to target today to file a report. From talking with them on the phone it sounds like there is a chance that I might get some help from them if I file the report (the incident is on their security system). If I get help from Target I want to fix everything the right way. If I'm paying 100% out of pocket I will be forced to do things on the cheap. That said, here are my specific questions in an order that I think kind of makes sense. Free free to add your 2 cents without specifically answering the questions; all knowledge helps me.

1. Are we beyond what paintless dent removal can achieve on the big dent. My thought is that it is too big with too many creases but maybe I'm wrong?
2. If paintless dent removal is out, what is the proper way to have the large dent repaired? What is a ballpark cost?
3. If I'm doing this on the cheap, would paintless dent removal be able to improve the dent? I'm thinking they could maybe get the dent out but that I would be stuck with some creasing/distortion. What would something like that cost?
4. Do all bodyshops have the ability to do paintless dent removal, or is it a specialty?
5. For the smaller dent on the rocker (sorry it's not pictured), is paintless dent removal an option? It's a pretty round dent without any creasing but I don't think there is any easy access to the backside of the dent and it's pretty thick metal.
6. If paintless dent removal is out for the smaller dent, what is the proper way to have it repaired? If I'm forced to do this on the cheap I'll probably just ignore the smaller dent since it's low enough on the car that it is somewhat hard to see...it will still bug me a lot but cash isn't exactly overflowing from my pockets these days.

Bodyshops may have someone to do paintless dent removal, but I would cut out the middle man. Most of the paintless dent removal folks I'm aware of are independent.

The dent looks big but not super deep like you'd get when a lamp post attacks your door. I'd definitely give paintless dent removal a chance for the door, you may be positively surprised. As to the rocker, that's going to be an issue because most paintless repairs require access to the back of the panel so you can "massage" out the dent.

TBH if the big dent doesn't come out using paintless dent repair I'd try to source a crease-free door and have it painted. Everything else is too much faffing about IMHO.

As to the rocker panel dent, a bodyshop may be able to pull it out, put a skim coat of filler on it and repaint the rocker.

Retail stores are actually pretty good about paying for this damage. While working as a body tech in Washington we would get quite a few of these repairs due to high winds and the magnets attached to carts. They always seem to find the car parked away from anyone else. Anyway.......if you have to pay on the cheap your best bet is PDR but as it sits right now they can't do anything due to limited access.

If you could remove the inner trim panel, side mirror and the front glass assembly then they have plenty of access point to do their magic. The only point at which a PDR can not repair a crease is where two or more intersect. I call them knuckles for lack of a better word. There is typically a lot of tension at these points and is very difficult to massage out.

Not all bodyshops have PDR techs and sometimes if you go to a bodyshop with a PDR tech they will not be as careful not to disrupt the paint because they have the safety net of a paint department behind them. If you call a mobile tech then they usually will pay out of their pockets for paint mistakes so they are very careful. Hope this helps.

Here is where your problem is going to be: There is a solid bar that will prevent the tech from getting at the lower part of the dent.

If your paint is a stock color and original, I would go looking for a replacement door as the best option. They are not worth much even here in the rustbelt.

In reply to NOHOME: Can't say for sure, but it looks like the door dent is just above the Bentler Beam. That bottom horizontal line in the dent is probably where the top of the beam is. ITBT: PDR is by far the best option. I'd certainly consider that option first. And I agree, try an independent operator. they have a lot more to lose if they mess up.

Even with today's painting technology, finding a long term paint match for an original painted NA car seems pretty iffy. At least from my experiences.

I'd go with a salvage door, personally. Just be aware that the white changed in 1994, so you'll want to make sure it's the appropriate one.

For the sill, it's easy to repaint rockers. I'd get it popped out and respray.

Keith Tanner wrote: I'd go with a salvage door, personally. Just be aware that the white changed in 1994, so you'll want to make sure it's the appropriate one. For the sill, it's easy to repaint rockers. I'd get it popped out and respray.

This. By far the cheapest AND easiest option.

I had a dent about that bad removed from the passenger side door of my '93 Miata. I found a painless dent guy on Craigslist and he did it in his driveway on the weekend for very little cash.