Is there a DIY fix for this?

[AndyJJDavies]

Hi all
Unfortunately in trying to avoid a wayward van coming towards me yesterday I’ve caught the bodywork on something solid sticking out of the headgerow which has left this gouge in the front wheel arch. It’s about 1.5cm long but not in a particularly conspicuous position so putting into a body shop seems a bit over the top and waiting lists here are miles long anyway. Is there a simple way I can repair this myself, even temporarily?

 

[steve69]

Looks like fibre glass. Easy-peasy if you'r e D.i.y. person...Google "Fibre glass repair kits" & youtube videos for tips on repairs like this.

 

[Two on Tour]

Avoid normal polyester type car filler or fiberglass kits as this will likely melt and destroy the insulation behind your damaged fiberglass panel.

Make sure you use an epoxy filler that will not attack the insulation.
For a quick and easy repair to keep the weather out, nip down to Halfords or the like and grab an epoxy putty which you can mix between your thumb and finger and then push into the hole.

Evo-stik Hard & Fast Metal Epoxy Putty | Halfords UK

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[funflair]

As above and yes it is fibreglass, if you can get the gelcoat RAL number from the manufacturers you will be able to do a good job without even having to paint it. If you are not into DIY try a locak boatyard if you have such a thing.

 

[funflair]

Avoid normal polyester type car filler or fiberglass kits as this will likely melt and destroy the insulation behind your damaged fiberglass panel.

Make sure you use an epoxy filler that will not attack the insulation.
For a quick and easy repair to keep the weather out, nip down to Halfords or the like and grab an epoxy putty which you can mix between your thumb and finger and then push into the hole.

Evo-stik Hard & Fast Metal Epoxy Putty | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Evo-stik Hard & Fast Metal Epoxy Putty easy to mix steel reinforced epoxy putty dries in 10 minutes at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

You would be right about the insulation if it was bodywork and the insulation was polystyrene but I believe that we are looking at part of the bumper so the that would not be the case and I would stick with polyester, a quick and easy repair to keep it clean would be sticky tape.

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[Jeff one]

The caravan clinic at Dunston, Gateshead, if your near, the repair I had was brilliant and couldn’t fault it, with a price up front from photos and discussion over the phone

 

[Ian Bosman]

Avoid normal polyester type car filler or fiberglass kits as this will likely melt and destroy the insulation behind your damaged fiberglass panel.

Make sure you use an epoxy filler that will not attack the insulation.
For a quick and easy repair to keep the weather out, nip down to Halfords or the like and grab an epoxy putty which you can mix between your thumb and finger and then push into the hole.

Evo-stik Hard & Fast Metal Epoxy Putty | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Evo-stik Hard & Fast Metal Epoxy Putty easy to mix steel reinforced epoxy putty dries in 10 minutes at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Big Boy EPOXY HYBRID Easy Sanding Car Body Filler Galvanised Steel & Aluminium 5036029520491 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Big Boy EPOXY HYBRID Easy Sanding Car Body Filler Galvanised Steel & Aluminium at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

You can use the polyester fillers provided that you place behind the damage a piece of kitchen foil well stuffed around the internal are f the damage.

 

[AndyJJDavies]

Thanks for the replies, I’ll check out the different suggestions but at least it looks like it should be possible. I’ve attached a wider angle photo to make the location clearer - damage is bottom left.

 

[Leslie Madell]

I have used www.plastic-surgeon.co.uk and was very pleased with result.

 

[Ashy]

Google gel coat filler. Used it regularly when I had the boat. It’s easy to use and sand and can be polished up to a good shine. You can get tints to add to it if it’s not white.

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[airwave]

It’s about 1.5cm long but not in a particularly conspicuous position

I dunno what part of the country , your in , but personally , i would cover that forthwith . Don't have to be fancy , masking tape will do , but i'd plumb for an ordinary plastic bag , say a carrier bag . Fold it , or cut it , then tape it three sides . Top , and both sides , leave the bottom open for ventilation . It's just to keep the weather out , we're having a lot of rain down this way , right now .
You don't have to cover it , but it will slow the repair down , if it gets wet . And if the laminate does gets wet , your be sealing the damp in . If , that is , you manage to get the repair to stick in the first place .
Repair itself , is basically a doddle , from what i can see . It looks like you've only knocked the gelcoat off , so you don't need to use epoxy , an ordinary polyester will do . 1.5 mm , if it's that not deep , which it don't look like , you could get away with just gelcoat filler . Colour matching will be an issue , just depends how old the van is ! . Gelcoat generally only comes in one colour , white . There are colour variations , but they will be expensive , a huge waste , and still no guarantee of a perfect match . Again seal it while its drying , all sides this time . Allow to dry thoroughly , then knock it back with 320 grade wet and dry , used wet and with a block . Change the water regularly , and drop some washing up liquid in it . Then polish up with each 400 , 600 , 1000 , and finish with 1200 grade wet and dry . It's hard work , and time consuming , but the repair can become almost invisible , if the time is put in . Always use the wet and dry , wet , with a soft block , and change the water regularly . The washing up liquid , helps the surface remain slippery , and clean the surface at the same time . Epoxy normally drys a yellowee brown to light grey , depending on brand , but frankly it's so shallow you won't be able to get a gelcoat on , so will need spraying .

 

[Brocksford]

Get a quite from ChipsAway and if you are happy with it they will come to you to do the repair.

 

[Jar.v8]

I agree that this is fibreglass, there is damage to the white gel coat that gives the final finish. As suggested above, the gel coat can be matched by obtaining the RAL number. As the glass fibre matting has had its surface damaged it needs to be sealed as a temporary measure to prevent long term water ingress to the structure of the panel as this material is hygroscopic and can cause later problems. This temporary repair could be done using a brush with a small quantity of resin which is available very cheaply in small tins from motor factors such as Halford's etc. Once sealed a visual repair can be carried out using gel coat which is resin with a colour pigment added and chemicals to provide UV resistance. If painted on in thin layers, to prevent runs in vertical surfaces, once cured can be sanded and when the surface is built up the the correct level, can be polished by using finer and finer wet and dry paper and finaĺly polished using rubbing compound and car wax.

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Try using this ,it is a clear finish though but will fill the hole and fix it permanently, I use it mainly for motorcycle repairs ( switch gear , plastic panels, all sorts of stuff) it welds rather than glues and you can build up layers and sand down to match any contour , not the cheapest but will never fail .

https://bondicuk.co.uk/

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As advised send the photos to your local chipsaway and get a quote ,you may be surprised.

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[mitzimad]

white milliput will fill that might not be a dead match of colour but that bit is dirty as soon as you move the van. Once its mixed you can smooth it in with a wet fingerhttps://www.mbfg.co.uk/milliput_superfinewhite.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3rKQBhCNARIsACUEW_ZT4eFeuG4WF-pyh0dUTMM5X00D9pEm175o_czDEMT7BtvE9RQW-1EaAo-UEALw_wcB

 

[SuzieSwift]

Hi all
Unfortunately in trying to avoid a wayward van coming towards me yesterday I’ve caught the bodywork on something solid sticking out of the headgerow which has left this gouge in the front wheel arch. It’s about 1.5cm long but not in a particularly conspicuous position so putting into a body shop seems a bit over the top and waiting lists here are miles long anyway. Is there a simple way I can repair this myself, even temporarily?

View attachment 586201

Osculati 65.520.06 White Gel Coat is what I was advised to get for my deep scratch. I got it from Amazon​

 

[KimSteve]

Hi all
Unfortunately in trying to avoid a wayward van coming towards me yesterday I’ve caught the bodywork on something solid sticking out of the headgerow which has left this gouge in the front wheel arch. It’s about 1.5cm long but not in a particularly conspicuous position so putting into a body shop seems a bit over the top and waiting lists here are miles long anyway. Is there a simple way I can repair this myself, even temporarily?

View attachment 586201

yes you can get Gel coat finish, it will fill the whole gouge or you could part fill and finish with gel coat.

 

[Two on Tour]

You will need to add MW solution to the gel coat to stop the surface from remaining tacky.

 

[f6c]

Are you near Weston Zoyland if so try ianjonesbodyrepairs.co.uk send him photos of the damage. 07801223746 Ian done great work on my old AT

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[Kozikot]

A bit of Blutac molded to the profile, paint with Tippex...

 

[airwave]

This temporary repair could be done using a brush with a small quantity of resin which is available very cheaply in small tins from motor factors such as Halford's etc.

Personally speaking , from what i can see , it's not worth the effort . Gelcoat is a resin , just thicker . It's often used during the first layer of matting anyway . Your comment is totally correct concerning the laminate soaking water , that's why i said to cover it , but here again the gelcoat is the waterproof barrier , even on boats ! .

You will need to add MW solution to the gel coat to stop the surface from remaining tacky.

I'm gonna be honest here , i've never heard of MW solution , so can't comment . However your quite correct with the surface remaining tacky . This is basically because gelcoat needs to be sealed , to go off , normally it's sealed between the laminate , and mould . This is the reason i suggested recovering with plastic , and sealing on all sides . The correct method is to use peel ply , but with a repair this size , it's not worth the effort of sourcing , and purchasing peel ply . Basically your sealing the repair from outside air , for which a scrap of plastic is equally as good .
Personally , i don't use either . Wet and dry , used wet with a drop of washing up liquid in the water , overcomes the tack with ease . It's far more important the gelcoat has had time to harden , usually around 24hrs .