Cracks in fibreglass - urgent advice needed.
Discussion
Guys,
I have a very minor crack less than an inch long and barely noticeable in the paintwork of my Chimaera running upwards off both the recesses that accommodate the exhaust tailpipes. I'm quite sure they've been there since I first acquired the car, but when having an estimate done yesterday to repair slight damage to the rear of the car caused by another car shunting me up the rear end at very slow speed, I was told that these cracks are a result of the accident. Consequently the estimate for repairs is in excess of £2k. Without the cracks in the exhaust recesses the repair costs will be more like £400. So, can any of you Chimaera owners tell me if you have similar cracks which have appeared without any kind of impact occurring?
My hope is that it is a common problem and is not a result of any impact, as I really don't want the kind of major repair work that's being proposed being carried out unnecessarily.
Your urgent help with this dilemma will be very much appreciated, thanks.
I have a very minor crack less than an inch long and barely noticeable in the paintwork of my Chimaera running upwards off both the recesses that accommodate the exhaust tailpipes. I'm quite sure they've been there since I first acquired the car, but when having an estimate done yesterday to repair slight damage to the rear of the car caused by another car shunting me up the rear end at very slow speed, I was told that these cracks are a result of the accident. Consequently the estimate for repairs is in excess of £2k. Without the cracks in the exhaust recesses the repair costs will be more like £400. So, can any of you Chimaera owners tell me if you have similar cracks which have appeared without any kind of impact occurring?
My hope is that it is a common problem and is not a result of any impact, as I really don't want the kind of major repair work that's being proposed being carried out unnecessarily.
Your urgent help with this dilemma will be very much appreciated, thanks.
Hi telecaster
I have never heard of this as a common problem and I cannot recall anyone mentioning it on here either.
It does sound like its due the low impact collision . Cracks in the fibre glass need to be repaired by someone who knows what they are doing as they will keep spreading . I think you drill a hole at the ends of the crack.
Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
Trev
I have never heard of this as a common problem and I cannot recall anyone mentioning it on here either.
It does sound like its due the low impact collision . Cracks in the fibre glass need to be repaired by someone who knows what they are doing as they will keep spreading . I think you drill a hole at the ends of the crack.
Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
Trev
The cracks are not normal as far as I am aware. I am almost certain they would be as a result of the impact. Fibre-glass has been known to crack in places far away from the initial impact point.
I would suggest getting it repaired anyway, as it will only get worse if left. I am not sure what they are proposing to do, but i don't think it would be anymore difficult to repair than a normal crack.
Make sure you take it to a repairer who is experienced in fibre-glass repairs.
Sorry for the bad news.
I would suggest getting it repaired anyway, as it will only get worse if left. I am not sure what they are proposing to do, but i don't think it would be anymore difficult to repair than a normal crack.
Make sure you take it to a repairer who is experienced in fibre-glass repairs.
Sorry for the bad news.
Edited by ads on Thursday 2nd September 12:07
Depends how big the cracks are, on mine there are hairline cracks in the paint between the rear numberplate aperture and the 'bumper'. Not sure what caused them possibly someone nudging the car while it has been parked. To be honest they are so fine and insignificant I've never worried about them. They have neither grown or changed in shape for years. I have heard one or two others here saying they have the same.
In my opinion, if someone else is coughing up I'd get it done, otherwise just leave it.
In my opinion, if someone else is coughing up I'd get it done, otherwise just leave it.
.Mark said:
Depends how big the cracks are, on mine there are hairline cracks in the paint between the rear numberplate aperture and the 'bumper'. Not sure what caused them possibly someone nudging the car while it has been parked. To be honest they are so fine and insignificant I've never worried about them. They have neither grown or changed in shape for years. I have heard one or two others here saying they have the same.
Same here. 
I had an accident in my Chimaera about 4 years ago with resulted in me heavily cracking the grill mouth.
The repairs were very very good and only cost about €850 in Germany.
I'll upload a couple of photos on Saturday when I get home (office firewall) or e-mail them to you but you will see the amount of damage so that you can consider the quote youve been given.
The repairs were very very good and only cost about €850 in Germany.
I'll upload a couple of photos on Saturday when I get home (office firewall) or e-mail them to you but you will see the amount of damage so that you can consider the quote youve been given.
WOO5IE said:
I think you drill a hole at the ends of the crack.
Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
Certainly a hole drilled at the end of each crack, say 8mm dia and then filled properly from behind would be a neat, cheap fix.Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
How do you figure that it's someone else's insurance?
The cracks may be as a result of a vibrating exhaust, esp. if hitting speed bumps, so perhaps check that as well.
I had this on my T350 too, noticed a few cracks and thought it was the paint ageing as I'm stupid 
but soon got told it was a rear end...my damage was cracks along the rear diffuser, boot panel and star cracks in the rear quarter.
I had lots of quotes from 1.5-3.5k - I settled on Gary at BeeGee Coachcraft in New Malden, Surrey (former TVR Molevalley and Gatwick dealer bodyshop) and he has done an excellent job at a very competitive price - compared to the others his pricing was superb.
You can reach him on 0208 942 4499.
but soon got told it was a rear end...my damage was cracks along the rear diffuser, boot panel and star cracks in the rear quarter.I had lots of quotes from 1.5-3.5k - I settled on Gary at BeeGee Coachcraft in New Malden, Surrey (former TVR Molevalley and Gatwick dealer bodyshop) and he has done an excellent job at a very competitive price - compared to the others his pricing was superb.
You can reach him on 0208 942 4499.
Are they replacing the backend of your car for 2K or charging the repairs at £800 per inch ! ( Damn , I could have been a millionair by now ). Seems a ridiculous difference in price. That is quite a stong area on the backend and you should look at the top corners of the boot aperture going under the softop as this is a week area very likely to crack in an impact, David
JR said:
WOO5IE said:
I think you drill a hole at the ends of the crack.
Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
Certainly a hole drilled at the end of each crack, say 8mm dia and then filled properly from behind would be a neat, cheap fix.Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
How do you figure that it's someone else's insurance?
The cracks may be as a result of a vibrating exhaust, esp. if hitting speed bumps, so perhaps check that as well.
If the cracks are due to someone hitting the car from the rear as has been stated by a repairer then surely it will be on the the 3rd party's insurance.
WOO5IE said:
JR said:
WOO5IE said:
I think you drill a hole at the ends of the crack.
Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
Certainly a hole drilled at the end of each crack, say 8mm dia and then filled properly from behind would be a neat, cheap fix.Personally I would want this fixed especially as its on someone else's insurance.
Make sure you take it to an experienced TVR repairer.
How do you figure that it's someone else's insurance?
The cracks may be as a result of a vibrating exhaust, esp. if hitting speed bumps, so perhaps check that as well.
If the cracks are due to someone hitting the car from the rear as has been stated by a repairer then surely it will be on the the 3rd party's insurance.
Glass fibre cracks can only be repaired by grinding out the surface gelcoat over a larger area and re-laying in resin and tissue to bridge the crack. A heavy crack will also need strengthening behind too. Drilling holes at the end and filling over will not work, the crack will come back through even the best paintjob.
This is why glassfibre repairs are expensive and if not done properly then any paintwork will be a waste of money.
This is why glassfibre repairs are expensive and if not done properly then any paintwork will be a waste of money.
You'll never know the full extent of the cracking until the gel coat is stripped back...... I had visible cracks between the rear lights on the back of my Griff...... when everything was stripped back the cracks actually ran all the way round to the rear wheel arches.
If it's an insurance job get it done
Cost me £1k to be repaired n sprayed incl the VAT
If it's an insurance job get it done
Cost me £1k to be repaired n sprayed incl the VAT
Edited by Hoover. on Friday 3rd September 20:19
JKY said:
Glass fibre cracks can only be repaired by grinding out the surface gelcoat over a larger area and re-laying in resin and tissue to bridge the crack. A heavy crack will also need strengthening behind too. Drilling holes at the end and filling over will not work, the crack will come back through even the best paintjob.
This is why glassfibre repairs are expensive and if not done properly then any paintwork will be a waste of money.
That is of course the correct way but the OP does seem to be being charged a lot. I've just had some quite bad damage repaired on my GRP body and it came to £350 including re-spraying. This is why glassfibre repairs are expensive and if not done properly then any paintwork will be a waste of money.
Wow! an amazing response from you all which is very much appreciated. Repairs will be covered by the other guy's insurance, so I'll just have it all done by a reputable GRP experienced bodyshop. One thing that is clearly evident, is the importance of having fully comprehensive insurance on a TVR. Now, if I'd caused the damage myself and had only been covered 3rd party F&T....OUCH!!
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