Auto body repair & detailing: Maxda 3 damaged trunk, paint mask, 2005 mazda 3

Question
The two corners of my 2005 Mazda 3's trunk were bent up when the trunk was forced open more than it should have been.  The corners need to be repainted and bent back into position.  I was wondering what the typical course of action is to fix this type of damage and how much it would cost.  Would it be necessary to replace the trunk panel at all?  

Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Shawn Kenessey

Answer
If you can Pound it back flat so it looks fairly good than you don't need to replace it. Just take a hammer and dolly block and pound the panel so it lines up with the 1/4 panels and back glass. Then grind the paint off 1 inch around any visible damage. Then fill area with bondo filler and sand flat with a sanding block. This may take more than one coat of filler. Use 80 grit sand paper to do the rough work then 180 grit to do the fine sanding and take out sand scratches then just a light sanding with 320 grit to smooth it out. Also sand the painted area 1 inch around the damage with 320 grit Once you have it so it looks like it should  The Area should feel Nice and smooth Like the dent is not there. Mask with paper it should be about 3 inches away from the sanded area and masked 3 feet around each dent. Then take a scuff pad and scuff right to the tape edge on each area. Prime area and do not go all the way to the paper and tape. Three or four coats of primer should be good enough to do the job. Let it flash off between each coat it may need more coat if your sanding was not that good. let dry and unmask car. After its dry sand with flat block and 400 grit sand paper than scuff the whole trunklid with a fine scuff pad 3M type.Your now ready for paint. Mask off trunk lid and paint. If your trunk is fixable you could expect to pay $300.00 to $600.00 Bills. And replacement could cost $800.00 to $1500.00 Bills Depending on the cost of the decklid you could go for a used part and save half the cost of a new part. And they may be able to sell you a part the right color.
                      Thank you for your ?
                      Ken