Body work repairs (1 Viewer)

PilgrimPhil

Free Member
Feb 13, 2008
32
0
West Norfolk
Funster No
1,499
MH
Low profile coa
Exp
2 + 1/2 years
Our Sun Ti is now over 3 years old and I have managed to put a few dents on the aluminum bodywork and have cracked most of the ABS/plastic fairings! I have to admit most were my fault [or just trying to be helpful and pulling over only to scrape against an overhanging tree/bush and clouting a 6" grass verge!]

My question is whether anyone has had any of these type of damage repaired [without going through Lowdhams].

I work in the construction industry and recently had some aluminum cladding panels filled and resprayed and the repair is un-noticeable. I intend to approach this firm but does anyone know the actual blue and white colours of a 2006 vehicle.

Also I understand that the plastic fairings can also be repaired rather than replace the whole part.

Has any one been through these processes and can give advice?

Regards

PilgrimPhil
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
6,194
East Sussex
Funster No
1,134
MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
Hi Phil,

There are a number of franchised repairers about who specialise in 'local' repairs and plastic bumpers.

Look in yellow pages, they normally come to your house and do the job there.

Peter
 

Mastodon

Free Member
Sep 30, 2007
15
0
Funster No
490
Hi
If you can get the fairings off (some of them are a nightmare) depending on the damage; you can repair cracks with ABS cement (plastic model shop) and then stick a reinforcing patch on the back (heat gun it to profile). If there are missing chunks, put the patch on the back and fill from the front with plastic padding or similar, smooth prime and touch up.
Small dents in the side and roof are not usually a problem unless the skin is punctured. Clean off the paint, filler, smooth and touch up. For an actual split in the skin, drill the ends of the crack to stop it spreading, cut back into the foam underneath then fill the lot in with a mix of araldite and ground up polystyrene. Filler etc on top. No idea of the paint spec, but if you take the potty door to a decent auto paint shop they can usually match it.

Paul

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rainbow chasers

Free Member
Oct 30, 2009
3,680
1,725
Mid Cornwall
Funster No
9,132
MH
Various
Exp
9
For a crack, you need to 'cut' it along the crack to open the crack up with a gap of around 2mm. This will stop and alignment difficulties. You can use a dremel, or hacksaw blade for the job.

After that clamp in alignment, then put some fibreglass matting on the INNER sie (make sure it is clean!) You will need a few wet on wet layers, the more layers, the more rigid - four is usually enough. Once this has set, you go onto the next stage.

The gap along the crack you widened earlier will need sealing, this is done with epoxy resin. The unibond one with the mixing spout is ideal as it can be injected into the crack well. Run this along the crack to fill, leave to set.

Once this is done you can sand down the epoxy, add a skim of filler if necessary and repaint.

You can use gel coat repair in place of the filler/paint - but matching colour is near impossible! If you use this, apply a layer, wet flat and polish out.
 

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