Oh for f**ks sake! My boss just hit my Griff!
Discussion
A work colleague of mine was this evening moving anothers (private) car. In the process he reversed straight into the back of the Griff. And he wasn't insured, as he wasn't in a company car. 
Whilst he hit the near side rear, a little behind the wheel arch, the visible damage is cracked paintwork on and around the light cluster recess.
Could there be unseen damage to the bodywork? If the panel has flexed to cause paintwork damage by the light, is there a chance of greater damage? Any idea how much it will cost to put right? I dont want a bodge job done, anyone have any idea how much a rear end respray costs?
The guy responsible has agreed to foot the bill, so I'll be getting quotes next week.
I can't put into words how pi$$ed off I am...
Whilst he hit the near side rear, a little behind the wheel arch, the visible damage is cracked paintwork on and around the light cluster recess.
Could there be unseen damage to the bodywork? If the panel has flexed to cause paintwork damage by the light, is there a chance of greater damage? Any idea how much it will cost to put right? I dont want a bodge job done, anyone have any idea how much a rear end respray costs?
The guy responsible has agreed to foot the bill, so I'll be getting quotes next week.
I can't put into words how pi$$ed off I am...
Try and look on the bright(er) side though - at least you were there when it happened and the chap has agreed to pay.
Imagine how much more upset you'd have been if you had returned to the car to find it damaged and the culprit had scarpered.
You have my sincere sympathy though - it's not something I'd wish on anyone.
Imagine how much more upset you'd have been if you had returned to the car to find it damaged and the culprit had scarpered.
You have my sincere sympathy though - it's not something I'd wish on anyone.
Best to get it checked out with someone who knows about TVR body repairs. You never know you could find more stressing away from the damaged area. Couldn't tell you how much without seeing it?
Jon
www.tvrbodyrepairs.com
Jon
www.tvrbodyrepairs.com
Unlike steel, GRP does not permanently deform after an moderate impact - it flexes and recovers to the original shape, which makes it difficult to assess the extent of damage. If the paint is cracked this indicates that the GRP around that area is probably cracked/delaminated as well. You need to get it checked by a GRP bodywork specialist. Good luck, hope its not too serious.
This is bad news mate! your boss is going to be in shock after he see's the bill for this. Alan is correct on the GRP front. I am in the middle of a respray and all the cracks have to be ground out and refilled with GRP, so you will need to see the right person for the job. biggest problem will be the colour of the car as its difficult to respray a small area, and you may well find that the whole rear end will need to be done so it can't be spotted. can you get a pic on here so we can assess tha damage!
gadgit.
>> Edited by gadgit on Saturday 3rd May 13:30
gadgit.
>> Edited by gadgit on Saturday 3rd May 13:30
'A work colleague of mine was this evening moving anothers (private) car.... And he wasn't insured, as he wasn't in a company car.
Are you quite sure it's not covered? The owner of the private car should have insurance which would give any other person who drives it 3rd party cover. Hence, IMHO, you can claim from his insurance,
Are you quite sure it's not covered? The owner of the private car should have insurance which would give any other person who drives it 3rd party cover. Hence, IMHO, you can claim from his insurance,
Well please bear in mind that I'm no expert when it comes to cars - my GRP experience is with er... boats, but the materials are the same. The damage will be more extensive than you can see. I would say the area you have arrowed has been weakened by the bump and will at least need to be taken back to GRP and the surface repaired before re-painting. If you can't see any loose fibres along the paint cracks from a close examination, the laminate underneath may be OK, otherwise it may need to be cut out and a new section scarfed-in. If you just have a cosmetic paint job, the cracks will return eventually.
When you get it sorted it would only be fair for your Griff to hit your boss - fair's fair.
You don't work as an estate agent by any chance? - it's just the way you creatively describe the damage, i.e. 'concentric circles' and 'starfish cracks', almost makes me want the same artistic effects on my car. Seriously I hope you get it sorted properly - the car that is not your boss.
You don't work as an estate agent by any chance? - it's just the way you creatively describe the damage, i.e. 'concentric circles' and 'starfish cracks', almost makes me want the same artistic effects on my car. Seriously I hope you get it sorted properly - the car that is not your boss.
jigs said: When you get it sorted it would only be fair for your Griff to hit your boss - fair's fair.
You don't work as an estate agent by any chance? - it's just the way you creatively describe the damage, i.e. 'concentric circles' and 'starfish cracks', almost makes me want the same artistic effects on my car. Seriously I hope you get it sorted properly - the car that is not your boss.
no, I'm not an estate agent! The guy in question actually moved departments 2 weeks back, so is no longer my line manager. I have a lot of time and respect for him, but I'll pursue this by any means necessary to get a proper repair done. He said if it was £800 - £900, no problem, but he couldn't afford any more. I'm really concerned that things could get messy... I would not worry too much - when i had my griff my mate drove into the back as we were pulling away from a junction....it was a hell of an eggshell crack all the way around the back at the bottom - it cost me £150 including the respray from a bodyshop specialist.....no lasting damage done.....of course if you go to a dealer we will be talking much more than this..... snowy got his Chimeara done by the same guy too...was over three years ago...but still reckon a specialist would only charge you 250 ish..
About to take the scenic route up to Tom Horsburgh's (as recommended by Adrian Blyth) for a quote.
Thanks for the soothing words basher, I was starting to brick it! Having said that, the cracks have got more noticable over the weekend (and c.50 miles driving) - could the panel be flexing and therefore further damaging the paintwork? Maybe there is more damage than meets the eye...
Thanks for the soothing words basher, I was starting to brick it! Having said that, the cracks have got more noticable over the weekend (and c.50 miles driving) - could the panel be flexing and therefore further damaging the paintwork? Maybe there is more damage than meets the eye...
On a less soothing note, Ive just had a quote to repair a chip about the size of a penny chopped in half repaired on my Tuscan and it's £1650.
Apparently due to the paint (Crystal Topaz) and the fact there are no obvious panel gaps to stop at so it needs the whole rear end painting.
That'll teach me to move old radiators round my garage on my own!!!
Apparently due to the paint (Crystal Topaz) and the fact there are no obvious panel gaps to stop at so it needs the whole rear end painting.
That'll teach me to move old radiators round my garage on my own!!!
I'd much prefer a total rear end respray, as on an eight year old car you can imagine a few minor marks elsewhere. Just waiting for someone to tap the front end so I can have a full respray!
Edited to say: actually, having thought about it, it a total pain in the ar$e whichever way I look at it.
>> Edited by julianhj on Tuesday 6th May 10:54
Edited to say: actually, having thought about it, it a total pain in the ar$e whichever way I look at it.
>> Edited by julianhj on Tuesday 6th May 10:54
The GRP will have de-laminated, certainly around the crack by the light cluster, the full extent can't be seen until the paint and filler are removed from the other offending areas
Just repainting that lot will set you back ~£4-500 (becasue of the preparation)
Add up to a couple of days of glass work, I think you'll be lucky to get away with £700
All IMHO of course
Just repainting that lot will set you back ~£4-500 (becasue of the preparation)
Add up to a couple of days of glass work, I think you'll be lucky to get away with £700
All IMHO of course
julianhj said:
jigs said:
When someone (who gave completely false details) crashed into the back of my Griff, it cost me £1750 ish.
Admittedly the damage was worse on mine, but I think in effect the repairers might have to do a similar job.
Good luck.
I had much worse than that when I clipped the front nr side of my chimaera when driving in to the garage (doh!). The paint was completely scraped away in an area the size of a hand and there were cracks in the glass fibre underneath. Total bill was about £550 from a TVR specialist. Did take 3 weeks for them to repair it though...
The only other crash i had was when some dozy tart drove into the back of me at some traffic lights. The rear drivers side corner was completely trashed - had to have a new rear end, boot lid, and rear end respray. Cost about 7K, but her insurance paid up. Phew-ee.
Best of luck getting it sorted. I for one, would sort out my boss if he did that to my Griff. But then again, he is only 5'"2, and I'm 6'4".
The only other crash i had was when some dozy tart drove into the back of me at some traffic lights. The rear drivers side corner was completely trashed - had to have a new rear end, boot lid, and rear end respray. Cost about 7K, but her insurance paid up. Phew-ee.
Best of luck getting it sorted. I for one, would sort out my boss if he did that to my Griff. But then again, he is only 5'"2, and I'm 6'4".
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