Interior Exterior
Q:
Someone has reverse parked into my Elise and left a hole, about the size of a thumb print and around 1/4 inch deep, in the front clam just under the access cover. ( They then just left the area )
As I am going on vacation, I cannot get the car to a professional for some weeks, so I thought I'd best fill the hole and spray it. Tidy it up, as it were. At least make it look better until I can get to a workshop. I'm worried that if I do not get some filler in there, the cracks may spread.
Any advice on how to go about this, especially with regards to which filling material to use?
I don't want to use a filler which then makes the workshop job twice as hard.
Just out for a good, solid but temporary repair.
All advice appreciated!
A:
If it was me, I would just place a sticker over it to hide it and perhaps provide some protection for it. Like a stiff sticker if possible. Adding any type of filler in there only temporary can make it worst if you're not used to working with fiberglass. Plus the person that's gonna do the repair would have to get rid of what you added, making the hole bigger and deeper.
Now for actual repair, I remember seeing recommendation on this board for filling in. You should be able to find it using search.
A:
I dont think that it will spread. The body is not a stressed member so most likely it will be fine, at least thats the excuse that I am using in order to procrastinate fixing the small boo-boo on mine.
A:
Tap plastics or a boat shop should have some epoxy resin
a part A and B is mixed, filled and cures in about 24 hours.
They have formulas for fiberglass,metal,wood, and wet applications like
patching a boat in the water.
Good luck
A:
The sticker is the best idea. If you are going to have it professionally repaired, anything you put on, such as resin or putty will just make it harder to fix properly.
A:
... so I thought I'd best fill the hole and spray it. Tidy it up, as it were. At least make it look better until I can get to a workshop. I'm worried that if I do not get some filler in there, the cracks may spread.
Jon,
Sorry to hear about the "incident".
Anyway, putting filler in the hole will not keep it from spreading. If it is going to spread it will do it anyway. There are 2 things that could potentially take place...
1) Crazing or fine cracks may develop with some time. These are tiny cracks that were created with the initial impact, but needed time to surface.
2) It's unlikely that the hole will grow, but more cracks my form. The only way to really stablize the area around the hole is to properly patch it. This involves feathering the surrounding area and patching the hole with fiberglass and resin.
Kiyoshi
A:
Thanks all.
I have settled down a bit and think it probably is best to keep an eye of the area, maybe even use the sticker as said, and let the professionals do it shortly.
The clam is due a respray anyhow and as you say, it will be easier for the workshop to attack an 'empty' area of damage as opposed to one I have filled.
It is tempting to have a go, though, must admit!!!!
Drive safely!
A:
I'd go for one of them fake bullet hole stickers.
A:
Use clear packing tape. It will help hold the edges more stable. Worked on my car for a long time.