Front Clam Damage

[jon_hope]

I manage to damage my front clam today, I've scuffed the underside of one of the aerodynamic 'ears' and its torn a hole underneath (gladly not visible).

 

I have all the 'parts' to put it back together again, has anyone got experience of fiberglass repair? can I glue (exopy resin) all the bits back together or do I need to start from scratch with a fibreglass repair kit?

 

Any ideas what a professional repair might cost? The hole is about the size of a fist.

 

I know its a big ask without pics so I'll post some up tomorrow when its light.

 

 

 

TIA

[DamoS2]

I manage to damage my front clam today, I've scuffed the underside of one of the aerodynamic 'ears' and its torn a hole underneath (gladly not visible).

 

I have all the 'parts' to put it back together again, has anyone got experience of fiberglass repair? can I glue (exopy resin) all the bits back together or do I need to start from scratch with a fibreglass repair kit?

 

Any ideas what a professional repair might cost? The hole is about the size of a fist.

 

I know its a big ask without pics so I'll post some up tomorrow when its light.

 

 

 

TIA

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=89620

 

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/index...showtopic=11182

[jon_hope]

Thanks DamoS2, anybody got any suggestions on the DIY route?

 

 

Here are the images:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[neural9]

Hi Jon. Thats a bugger of a thing to happen.

 

My 2p. I don't think you'll get a good result DIY. The corners that it covers would need to be rebuilt which you just wouldn't be able to get without some sort of template.

 

I know it's hard to hear, but you might have to bite the bullet on this one and get it done pro. It'll need a respray too obviously. Budget the best part of a grand.

[jon_hope]

Hi Jon. Thats a bugger of a thing to happen.

 

My 2p. I don't think you'll get a good result DIY. The corners that it covers would need to be rebuilt which you just wouldn't be able to get without some sort of template.

 

I know it's hard to hear, but you might have to bite the bullet on this one and get it done pro. It'll need a respray too obviously. Budget the best part of a grand.

 

 

or a budget for front spiltter......

 

I think I might give it a go, and if I can't get it right, I'll fit a front splitter instead.

 

Any further advice on DIY welcome

[DamoS2]

Hi Jon. Thats a bugger of a thing to happen.

 

My 2p. I don't think you'll get a good result DIY. The corners that it covers would need to be rebuilt which you just wouldn't be able to get without some sort of template.

 

I know it's hard to hear, but you might have to bite the bullet on this one and get it done pro. It'll need a respray too obviously. Budget the best part of a grand.

 

 

or a budget for front spiltter......

 

I think I might give it a go, and if I can't get it right, I'll fit a front splitter instead.

 

Any further advice on DIY welcome

 

John let me know what you decide to do as I'm in the same predicament! I have a similar hole probably less noticeable as its on flat part of clam behind number plate. I want it fixed but if splitter covers it might be quick easy fix for now as bound to hit something in future and can just get it fixed then. What splitters you considering? DId you see my link looks like there are three options :

 

1)Tigga splitter

2)alvan splitter, not sure it will hide everything

3)lotus power splitter

 

We could always drive down to slough together to get our tigga splitters or go for some quotes?I don't really want to claim though my insurance tbh. Especially as I inherited this hole when I bought it I'll post a pic tomorrow to make you feel better.

 

Damon

[jon_hope]

Hi Jon. Thats a bugger of a thing to happen.

 

My 2p. I don't think you'll get a good result DIY. The corners that it covers would need to be rebuilt which you just wouldn't be able to get without some sort of template.

 

I know it's hard to hear, but you might have to bite the bullet on this one and get it done pro. It'll need a respray too obviously. Budget the best part of a grand.

 

 

or a budget for front spiltter......

 

I think I might give it a go, and if I can't get it right, I'll fit a front splitter instead.

 

Any further advice on DIY welcome

 

John let me know what you decide to do as I'm in the same predicament! I have a similar hole probably less noticeable as its on flat part of clam behind number plate. I want it fixed but if splitter covers it might be quick easy fix for now as bound to hit something in future and can just get it fixed then. What splitters you considering? DId you see my link looks like there are three options :

 

1)Tigga splitter

2)alvan splitter, not sure it will hide everything

3)lotus power splitter

 

We could always drive down to slough together to get our tigga splitters or go for some quotes?I don't really want to claim though my insurance tbh. Especially as I inherited this hole when I bought it I'll post a pic tomorrow to make you feel better.

 

Damon

 

 

Tigga splitter seems like a good idea, and I think it will cover it. looked at a splitter at eliseparts.co.uk but thats £180 odd quid vs. Tigga's £99. If I book a few meetings in that neck of the woods its a 'free' drive down there, so-to-speak.

 

As for the others you list, never heard of them, got any links?

 

 

editted to say i have had one quote back, Option1 at Bromsgrove want the sharp end of £800 quid and a week to fix it. (oh and you'll need to add VAT to that too sir...)

[Carlylove]

Had this same problem on my MK2 Elise.

 

I ended up taking it to a local fiberglass specialist and putting a front splitter on from Elise Parts (HERE).

 

Cost about £150 from the bodyshop and £180 for the splitter. Well worth the money and I turned a bad situation into a good one cos the splitter looks great

[PeterField]

editted to say i have had one quote back, Option1 at Bromsgrove want the sharp end of £800 quid and a week to fix it. (oh and you'll need to add VAT to that too sir...)

 

Jon, if you're looking for a repair try Tardebigge Bodyshop in Redditch (B97 6QJ) on 01527 550422 and ask for Steve or Jeff.

 

Quality of their work is first class and i'm sure they'll sort you out for a lot less than £800+Vat.

 

HTH.

[DamoS2]

Had this same problem on my MK2 Elise.

 

I ended up taking it to a local fiberglass specialist and putting a front splitter on from Elise Parts (HERE).

 

Cost about £150 from the bodyshop and £180 for the splitter. Well worth the money and I turned a bad situation into a good one cos the splitter looks great

 

John I think I'm going to get a tigga splitter so if you fancy a trip down there? We could help each other fit them too?! Im in bham city centre.

 

links:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.a...=287667&h=0

http://www.martin-edwards.uklinux.net/lotuspower/index.html

 

Think tigga's will do trick. Eliseparts one would do too but can't justify the extra cost for it.

[MattyB]

TBH I wouldn't bother with a DIY repair - if you cause more damage to the clam you could be looking at replacing the whole thing (about £2500 all in from CCC, is what I was quoted 18 months ago)

 

Plus, if the jobs not spot on, it looks bad on resale.

 

I used Hallcraft for my repair, was very pleased and despite mentioning it to the new owner, he couldn't even tell it had been done. £600, and it was almost as bad as yours.

 

But at that point Horizon didn't have a bodyshop, and its always worth taking it there

[jon_hope]

Think tigga's will do trick. Eliseparts one would do too but can't justify the extra cost for it.

 

What are your plans, repair first then cover with splitter, or just cover it and forget about it?

[DamoS2]

 

Think tigga's will do trick. Eliseparts one would do too but can't justify the extra cost for it.

 

What are your plans, repair first then cover with splitter, or just cover it and forget about it?

 

Will get a quote and then decide. But may just fit splitter and can always take it off to get it fixed one month!

[DamoS2]

 

Think tigga's will do trick. Eliseparts one would do too but can't justify the extra cost for it.

 

What are your plans, repair first then cover with splitter, or just cover it and forget about it?

 

Will get a quote and then decide. But may just fit splitter and can always take it off to get it fixed one month!

 

As promised jon just so you know your not on your own. Tigga has asked me to email him pics and he will let me know if his splitter will hide hole.I suggest you do the same.

 

Damon

[Black Swan]

Just some general advice guys and girls :-

 

One advantage of GRP is the ability to do all sorts of crazy stuff and make it look good.

 

1st thing to do is make sure the damage is made waterproof ASAP. Once you get water in it can lead to all sorts of long term damage. Not so bad with drilled holes, but I would still recommend painting the cut edge of those as a standard. When GRP is damaged as in the photos above water WILL move into the panel by capillary action and after the repair will be subject to expansion and contraction with the weather and I am sure you all remember that ice forming in cracks in rock will split them. You have been warned!

 

Suggestions:-

 

1 - get some touch up paint (any colour) on ALL exposed areas to seal the damage.

 

2 - have a go at a repair, use a non shrinking product designed to be used with GRP, there are products for all sorts of materials, I carry at least 4 types on my ChipsAway van.

 

3 - even if you do not get it dead right it can all be rubbed down to the correct shape and painted.

 

4 - then talk to a local ChipsAway guy or local body shop to get the area locally painted.

 

If you get the damaged area waterproofed with a good coat of paint I am sure you will be more than happy with the repair. I would say you are looking at 100 - 150£ to paint if it was me and probably the same again for the repair if you do not fancy it yourself.

 

In any case make sure you waterproof the damage BEFORE fitting any cover-up splitter.

 

Good luck.

 

Peter