Split my splitter

[CraigV12V]

So I have had my new Aston for but 6 weeks and no scuffed wheels yet, like I always seem to manage with a new car and today I was fitting my new plates and saw the below crack in my splitter due to me hitting just one speed bump. Question is can I do anything about it other than buy a new one? Any idea of costs?

View from above


View from below

[AMGreg]

Unfortunately this looks as if it is not possible to repair to an acceptable standard. Carbon is not the easiest material to repair unless the damage is very minor. I'm sure JohnG1 had posted the cost on here somewhere....

It is so vulnerable and I'm paranoid about damaging mine. I'm sorry you've damaged yours and hope you get it fixed ok. I'll post if I can find the cost

[X7LDA]

You will be looking at a couple of £k' to fix it therefore wouldn't bother. Use a black marker to touch it up and you'll forgot about it in no time.

[AMGreg]

Here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Jockman]

X7LDA said:

You will be looking at a couple of £k' to fix it therefore wouldn't bother. Use a black marker to touch it up and you'll forgot about it in no time.

That has just given me an idea as to how to touch up my stone-chipped mesh too

[X7LDA]

Jockman said:

X7LDA said:

You will be looking at a couple of £k' to fix it therefore wouldn't bother. Use a black marker to touch it up and you'll forgot about it in no time.

That has just given me an idea as to how to touch up my stone-chipped mesh too

Exactly what I used to do on my Exige! Works a treat. Just need a pen that works on all surfaces.

[KarlFranz]

X7LDA said:

You will be looking at a couple of £k' to fix it therefore wouldn't bother. Use a black marker to touch it up and you'll forgot about it in no time.

That was going to be my suggestion too. Don't bother fixing it. It's barely noticeable from above and nothing a touch-up with a black marker wouldn't conceal. Even further, you would probably want to shoot yourself if you spend the ££ for the repair only to have it happen again on the next bump you hit.

[CraigV12V]

I wish the wife had done it. At least I could have vented my anger on her. So so so annoying. I will try a black marker but i wonder if I should look to get some resin to seal the crack lest it starts to peel.

[michael gould]

Agree black marker pen.......you have nothing to loose .....show us the results when you have done the dirty deed

[MichaelV8V]

You will need to seal the Carbon Fibres somehow, or you'll get water soaking up them, then one cold night you'll find the frost has split it further. Cheapest bodge would be the black marker pen then some clear varnish, if it isn't too visible it really doesn't warrant a professional repair, particularly as you might hit another speed bump the following day

[CraigV12V]

Reading a lot of other forums, here's my take. Crack needs to be sealed. You can have a stab at sanding down and sealing the crack and then building up several coats of lacquer but bieng a novice Iits likely to look awful. A competent body shop should make a better job of it and leave you with something that won't continue to degenerate.

And if the finish is unsatisfactory: put a wrap on it.

Thoughts anyone?

[BingoBob]

That makes sense to me. I would have a body shop put a few layers of lacquer over the crack to prevent any water ingress.

[RIB27]

CraigV12V said:

Thoughts anyone?

Sounds like a good idea, a body shop might be able to suggest some kind of clear resin that would be harder than lacquer and add some structural rigidity to the split just incase it takes any further knocks...

My dad used to use "epoxy resin" / fibreglass back in the day when making bits for boats - very strong stuff!

Edited by RIB27 on Friday 18th May 08:08

[Gibberish]

AMGreg said:

It is so vulnerable and I'm paranoid about damaging mine

I think this sort of expensive component in a vulnerable position would make anyone paranoid.

If ever there was a case for a cheaper replica, this is it; carbon fibre wrapped maybe? .... or am I being a philistine? Then have perhaps three or four ready in reserve (I’d need that many). Paranoia over…

Thinking longer term, sorry it doesn’t help with your fix.

Edited by Gibberish on Friday 18th May 08:43

[peterr96]

CraigV12V said:

You can have a stab at sanding down and sealing the crack

Thoughts anyone?

Wear a mask while doing this.
CF dust is not something you want inside you.

[clorenzen]

... and gloves. As CF fibres are microscopic and will penetrate your skin. I do a lot of sailing and with all the CF bits on winches and spinnaker poles it is a very nasty material to get under your skin.

[CraigV12V]

I will not be going anywhere near this crack by myself. I will use a repair shop to do the best job they can, and if they cannot get it so it does not glare at me every time I walk up to car then I will look to wrap it.

[mb1]

I believe the V12V splitter is £3055 if bought from an AM dealer.
The Vantage collection quoted me £2750 for an original AM part.
Then you have to add a couple of technician hours to have it fitted (apparently requires front bumper to go off).

For those paranoid about hitting the front splitter, I believe the new 2012 V8V front splitter is compatible with the V12V. It is black plastic and obviously a lot cheaper.

[KarlFranz]

I like the look of carbon, but I prefer the design of the older V8V nose over the V8VS/V12V. The vulnerability and replacement cost of the splitter makes me appreciate the older nose even more.

FWIW, I actually prefer the N420 rear diffuser to the one on the newer cars as well.

[Jockman]

mb1 said:

I believe the V12V splitter is £3055 if bought from an AM dealer.
The Vantage collection quoted me £2750 for an original AM part.
Then you have to add a couple of technician hours to have it fitted (apparently requires front bumper to go off).

For those paranoid about hitting the front splitter, I believe the new 2012 V8V front splitter is compatible with the V12V. It is black plastic and obviously a lot cheaper.

Why put such an expensive material in such a susceptible area