Major fibreglass repair - new back end! How?

[notax]

I have just agreed to buy back 'my' Chimaera from an insurance company after the friend I sold it to wrote it off after two weeks by spinning it into a tree. Fortunately he is ok, car now needs a heap of TLC...

It needs a new back end and whilst I have located one, I'm not sure how to go about sticking it on! I'm actually getting the work carried out by a professional bodyshop but I'd be interested to know how you join a substantial and heavy new rear end to the car...

[Quietlybonkers]

what colour is it? If Blue, then bluetack?

[phillpot]

You may find this an interesting read... Clicky.

[V8 GRF]

It's not easy and that's why it should be done by a company experienced in such matters and not just any bodyshop or you'll have serious issues with droop, sunken joints, cracking etc etc.

From what I've seen the sections are cut in at approprate positions to minimise the visibility of the join and then actually held together with metal or wooden supports screwed into the bodywork to support the panels while they cure. These are then removed and filled although I've actually seen poor repairs where these screws have been left in and found once remedial work is required where the gelcost has sunk.

Don't let anyone tell you repairing fibreglass to a high standard is easy.

[REM2112]

Phil Wood did mine after my father in law drove into the back of mine. Lovely job.

[notax]

Quietlybonkers said:

what colour is it? If Blue, then bluetack?

Yes it is blue. Thanks for the suggestion...

[notax]

phillpot said:

You may find this an interesting read... Clicky.

Thanks, very interesting - not sure when the article dates from but I'm sure most of it still holds true. Although thses days I think a Dremel would replace a 'grinderette!'

Does anyone have photos of a new TVR rear end being fitted?

I am based in Southampton, can you recommend anyone locally for the fibreglass work?

[Jonny_b]

This might be of interest?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtQ5iUBy7L0

[notax]

Jonny_b said:

This might be of interest?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtQ5iUBy7L0

Thanks for posting, interesting and a good backing track

Recommendations for suitable repairer in Hampshire area apprecaited...

[Engineer1949]

The main problem is getting the new piece to bond with the old they will need to be faired rather like a scarf joint so the joint is as long as possible and using epoxy resin not standard polyester as that is only any good for the initial laying up and bonds whilst still green you can use standard mats and glass with the epoxy to strengthen the joint no braces filler etc. are nessacary if done correctly coming from a marine background on the broads weve seen a lot worse than you descibe.


John

[notax]

Thanks - very impressed with your rebuild thread by the way

If anyone can recommend other companies I should consider for the fibreglass work in the Hampshire area please let me know

[SILICONEKID340HP]

notax said:

Thanks - very impressed with your rebuild thread by the way

If anyone can recommend other companies I should consider for the fibreglass work in the Hampshire area please let me know

I know a very good specialist but it`s a good distance from you ..They have a very good reputation ,might be a good idea just to give them a call just for advice and costings ..

Might be worth sticking it on a trailer .

You will be pleasantly surprised everything is cheaper up north ..!
http://www.carizma.co.uk/

[notax]

Thanks, ironically the car is being transported down from somewhere up north on Monday, keen to find somewhere local to me ideally...

[Grey Ghost]

notax said:

keen to find somewhere local to me ideally...

Are there any Lotus dealers near to you?

They should have/know of a decent GRP shop.

[CraigAuk]

Not sure if it's any help, but Specialised Paintwork in Calcot near Reading are a Lotus & Morgan approved bodyshop and do a lot of TVR work.
They are a client of mine, so I know them but have never had to use them (thank god!).
However, judging by the range of very nice vehicles they repair to a very high standard I think they would be just the people you need.
Speak to Karl or Liz: 0118 9306206
http://www.specialisedpaintwork.com/

[notax]

Thanks, looks like a very professional outfit - probably pricey too, but worth a call. Any more recommendations, especially in Southampton area appreciated...