So annoyed ... with myself!

[Ikemi]

I'm so annoyed with myself at the moment ... I had a mate drop by this evening and we were discussing new music and bands. Both decided a random drive would be good to listen to a few CDs I have in the car. Anyway, outside my house there are never any cars parked in the road except for mine. However tonight my parents had friends round, who usually park in front of my car. Tonight they parked behind me, and my mate who has the same car as them, was in front of mine.

So randomly chatting about music I reversed, believing the car in front was my parent's friends! *CRACK*

Fortunately the bump was at a very slow speed. No damage to the Mondeo, but my exhaust now seems a little skewed and I can see lots of faint cracks in the paint above the exhaust ... The thin cracks run across the length of the registration plate, but it doesn't look as if the fibreglass is damaged.

Does anyone know if I might have damaged the fibreglass? Can the cracks of paint be repaired? What is involved and how much?

First thing that sprang to my mind was, "Oh no, I'm going to need a new rear clam!" - Hopefully this isn't the case!

Just a bit worried, been ranting on all evening ... It's my pride and joy and I can't believe I didn't check what was behind me. I've looked after this car so well and now this!

Help! Rant over

[jb111s]

Doh!

Did a similar thing last year. Has the fibreglass got a spiderweb like appeareance ? You've got to keep an eye on it for the next few days to see if it spreads. I know its not what you want to hear but to get mine repaired cost 900 quid for repair & respray, although I did actually split the clam as well which probably added more.

[LotusEater666]

I had someone damage my rear clam in a car park. Damage wasn't great but there was a split. Cost £500 to repair & complete respray of rear clam.

[Ikemi]

Arse Didn't think it was going as expensive to repair! I'll take some photographs later and post them up to see what you all think ... Thanks for the replies so far though ... Really gutted at the moment. Can anyone recommend a decent fibreglass repair company in the Bucks/Berks region? I'm sure I remember someone mentioning a place in Reading - Specialized something

Edited by Ikemi on Friday 7th March 08:35

[Ikemi]

Here are some photos:







Cheers for the help

[jb111s]

That's about a similar level of damage that mine had. Looking at least £500 quid, maybe more depending on the damage to the exhaust.

It'll need a repair & respray.

It's a bit out of the way, but if you want to save a few quid take it to Fibreglass services in Arundel. What Miles doesn't know about fibreglass repair could be written on the back of a postage stamp & only charges 35 quid an hour. Did an outstanding job on mine.

[Beachbum]

FS do a really good job, so a second vote for them, if you can be bothered with the journey

[Hollow Legs]

don't know anyone to do the repair - just thought i'd say i'm gutted for you.

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

That's my usual trick, park up, no one around, come back to car, cars in front and behind, reverse back a bit to get out of spot, forgetting that there's a car behind, doh!

[crackthatoff]

st ... the best of luck ! try googling a smart repair, could be the answer but Im no expert by any means.

[Ikemi]

Hollow Legs said:

don't know anyone to do the repair - just thought i'd say i'm gutted for you.

Cheers mate - I'm kicking myself at the moment ... An easily avoided mistake, but I think this is an important lesson learnt!

It looks as if the lacquer has cracked rather than the fibreglass, which is good! I took the car over to SGT in Maidenhead for an inspection and agreed that the first port of call is to sort the exhaust out. Fortunately it is not damaged, just needs re-aligning Then their in-house paint guys are going to look at the cracks and see what can be done. They might be able to blend the area in ... or it could be a full respray So anywhere between £300-700!

I'm going to get a few more quotes and see how it goes ... I'll give Miles a bell at FS

Cheers

Edited by Ikemi on Saturday 8th March 11:56

[Ikemi]

FFS! Just noticed that someone has put a large 12" scratch down the side of my rear clam, just above the wheel arch ... It must've happened in the carpark at work, although I cannot find out who did it, as the security camera pointing towards the carpark is nigh on useless ...

If the clam didn't require a full respray, it probably does now

Edited by Ikemi on Wednesday 12th March 17:35

[21TonyK]

Obvious candidates are Specialised Paintwork in Reading or Miles @ FS as already mentioned. Miles will probably be cheaper but you might have to wait where as Specialised will do a first class job, possibly more quickly but most likely slightly more expensive.

[fatwomble]

just noticed this thread, I would rate specialsed much, much more than a certain place near Arundal as Specialised put right the complete mess that the others did.

[21TonyK]

fatwomble said:

just noticed this thread, I would rate specialsed much, much more than a certain place near Arundal as Specialised put right the complete mess that the others did.

Really? I've had work as Specialised as well and cannot fault it, surprised at the "other".