Repairing a smashed targa panel
Repairing a smashed targa panel
Author
Discussion

barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

266 months

Monday 20th November 2006
quotequote all
Good afternoon all.

On the trip to BT&P on Saturday I accidentally triggered the passenger ejector seat. The targa panel blew out very spectacularly I'm told but thankfully the passenger seat failed to eject and I still have my lovely other half.

I'll disable the 'eject' button by my left knee some other time, but for now I need to repair the targa panel which smashed a corner when it landed. Has anyone had a go at repairing a damaged targa panel before?

Ricardo Bertone

562 posts

239 months

Monday 20th November 2006
quotequote all
Don't think it can be repaired without looking 'damaged-repaired' - keep an eye on ebay or phone Bellhill or Douglas Valley breakers - you might get lucky.

Ricardo

Wildfire

9,948 posts

281 months

Monday 20th November 2006
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I'm sure a half decent job can be done if you're a dab hand with laying GRP.

Ricardo Bertone

562 posts

239 months

Monday 20th November 2006
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What about the carbon fibre finish on the inside? Surely that can't be restored to original?

Ricardo

Wildfire

9,948 posts

281 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
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Ricardo Bertone said:
What about the carbon fibre finish on the inside? Surely that can't be restored to original?

Ricardo


If you are relaying the majority of the panel, you could get one layer of Carbon and lay it down on the inside. It is only cosmetic after all.

barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

266 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
quotequote all
We've had a closer look at this and the back left corner took the impact. Its not actually smashed to bits, more like separated the layers of GRP. We've yet to pull back mohair for a really good look but we think it should be possible to dump more resin into the layers, clamp them up and file/sand it back to shape when its gone off.
I'll photograph what we do and let you know how we get on.

I was worried about repairing the panel as my biggest problem, but it seems getting a replacement hood section might be difficult. The hood installer was a great help but his supplier was useless rolleyes

Ricardo Bertone

562 posts

239 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
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Surely your insurer will cover the cost of replacement parts - let them worry about getting it right.

Ricardo

jeffsy

5,603 posts

256 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
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Yeh Ian - just try snapping those aluminium stays into place, you know the ones at the back, next time you drive. The roof will then stay on and therefore last longer mate

happy to help as always... rotate

Seasider

12,728 posts

278 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
quotequote all
jeffsy said:
Yeh Ian - just try snapping those aluminium stays into place, you know the ones at the back, next time you drive. The roof will then stay on and therefore last longer mate

happy to help as always... rotate
rofl


He aint gonna be happy hehe

Ballistic Banana

14,706 posts

296 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
quotequote all
Seasider said:
jeffsy said:
Yeh Ian - just try snapping those aluminium stays into place, you know the ones at the back, next time you drive. The roof will then stay on and therefore last longer mate

happy to help as always... rotate
rofl


He aint gonna be happy hehe


It was just a ploy to get his roof off. will have to adapt mine with one of them ejector buttons too,ay Del

Seasider

12,728 posts

278 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
quotequote all
Ballistic Banana said:


It was just a ploy to get his roof off. will have to adapt mine with one of them ejector buttons too,ay Del


Dont think the roof comes off yellow ones does it

barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

266 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
quotequote all
jeffsy said:
Yeh Ian - just try snapping those aluminium stays into place, you know the ones at the back, next time you drive. The roof will then stay on and therefore last longer mate

happy to help as always... rotate

You stinking pile of poo diddly doo

edited to make it just slightly less offensive

Edited by barreti on Thursday 23 November 18:58


Edited by barreti on Friday 24th November 08:18

barreti

Original Poster:

6,689 posts

266 months

Thursday 23rd November 2006
quotequote all
I've had an idea but the Mrs thinks I'm bonkers ....

The mohair on the targa is only really damaged at the rear quarter.
Its Blue, so I was thinking about getting someone to make the and red bits of the Union Jack and glueing that on the top of the Blue to make the roof into a great big Union Jack.
Hey, lets face it, if it doesn't cover the damage or scuff marks, who's going to notice!

Is that a great idea or have I completely lost it?
silly

Griffter

4,143 posts

284 months

Friday 24th November 2006
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barreti said:
make the roof into a great big Union Jack.


If you get a horn which plays the national anthem, then you could drive around pretending to be the English version of Bo and Luke.

Wildfire

9,948 posts

281 months

Friday 24th November 2006
quotequote all
Griffter said:
barreti said:
make the roof into a great big Union Jack.


If you get a horn which plays the national anthem, then you could drive around pretending to be the English version of Bo and Luke.


But instead of jumping over trailers, he would have to sedately negotiate a speed bump with a polite "I say."

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

276 months

Friday 24th November 2006
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Great idea Ian. I hate the new minis with a union jack on the roof - why don't they have a German flag? Shouldn't be allowed.
FFG

JR

14,332 posts

287 months

Friday 24th November 2006
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barreti said:
The back left corner is not actually smashed to bits, more like separated the layers of GRP. We've yet to pull back mohair for a really good look but we think it should be possible to dump more resin into the layers, clamp them up and file/sand it back to shape when its gone off.

You'll have to grind it back and build up with 300 or 450 matting. Shouldn't take too long and will be as good as new when finished. Repairing the damage to the Mohair will take more time. Good luck.

jamiet

1,536 posts

281 months

Friday 24th November 2006
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It's an ideal excuse to get one of Leven two-piece targa panels (if they still do them).

lone granger

801 posts

272 months

Tuesday 28th November 2006
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jamiet said:
It's an ideal excuse to get one of Leven two-piece targa panels (if they still do them).


anybody know of a two-piece targa being available for griff (I am assuming it is different from other O.E. two-piece panels!?

ricko

76 posts

257 months

Monday 4th December 2006
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What you need is some PVA a pair of old fishnet black tights some whipped cream and some chocolate spread. Firstly cut out the damaged part of the roof panel carefully take it to the wheely bin and dispose of it in an enviromentally friendly way closely followed by the rest of it. put the fishnets over your head eat the chocolate spread find something to do with the whipped cream and as for the PVA Im not sure but Blue Peter uses it for everything so I thought you might need it! Finally I am sure you will get your own back on me at this years growl. ps I have a panel very similar stuck in the shed so if you do work it out let me know!