HELP! Bodywork advice needed...

[harrytheeskimo]

Hi all,

Yesterday while I was round at a friends place, his younger brother managed to back his lancer into the Polo while it was parked in their driveway!

The damage is a smallish area on the rear left wheel arch. Really not sure what I'm in for with this, seeing as the panel that it's on is HUGE if the bodyworks guys can push it out properly (really have no idea how it would work).

Has anyone had experiences with damage here - nasty repairs or not that bad? And can you guys recommend any good places to take the poor car to get fixed up?

Cheers.

[Spec83]

I had a crease in the rear right 1/4 from where a chick ran into me... The crease was in the middle of the pannel but vertically inline with the damage shown in your pictures.

I took my car to Shipstone Accident Repair Service in Windsor, Brisbane (they are a recommended Porsche and Jaguar repairer) and they did a fanstastic job and used very little filler - if any. The paint was perfectly matched and no ripples are visable when viewed down the turret...

Very nice to deal with too and I would recommend them any day.. Contact Ph. (07) 3857 4142

On to your car - it is hard to replace the whole 1/4 due to it being a weld in part and critical to the structural integrity of the car. They will remove the inner plastic guard, wheel and suspension so as they can 'beat' the metal as best they can to the orignal shape. They may also attach a 'roller' to the wheel hub in order to flare the guard out again where is is slightly depressed. They will then use bits of filler to smooth out remaining creases in the metal. Finally a couple of sands and off to the spray booth. Since the car is new, I would not worry about colour matching too much, as they paint has had little time to fade.

Mine cost insurance company $2,300 to repair but since you won't need to replace the bumper like I did, you could safely assume at least $1,500 worth of damage

[Mrk_Mickey]

Damn, nice hit! Don't worry though; it'll buff right out

Nah seriously..good luck with it mate

[harrytheeskimo]

Maaaaaaaaaan thanks for the heads up Spec, really appreciate the info mate! Will contact those guys for a quote soon

Heh cheers Mickey...