Hit and run driver got the Accord a few weeks ago. Driver's door and fender caved in. Other driver took off without leaving a note. We found the driver (no help from the totally useless police) and are claiming this against their insurance.

Their insurance company's body shop tried to fob me off with a cheesy CAPA aftermarket replacement fender. "Just as good as an OEM fender," they said.

I laughed at them. "So you won't mind when I tell you to GET A REAL OEM FENDER instead, will you?" I don't know any automotive professionals who would allow CAPA crap to be installed on their own cars.

They proposed to weld/pull/bondo the door. So did all of the other shops I talked to. I have never had to consider door damage. I was pretty sure that Honda does not sell doors as a unit. But when I looked on the parts fiche, they have listed a "Door Skin" component which sure looks like the damaged outer part of this door.

Has anyone ever bought and installed a new door skin? What's involved? Cut away the old skin and weld the new one in place? Is this a quality repair? It certainly sounds better than a bondo job.