PLEASE HELP! I smashed my car!

[pmoore4321]

Igloo cooler fell off the top shelf and the front panel shattered like glass. Replace the entire panel or fix the broken one? Do you think a body shop can get the paint close?

This suxxxx beyond belief! My neighbors are going to call the police because I'm screaming in the driveway!.....

 

[87_we4]

You could fix that. Black paint is easy to match

 

[pmoore4321]

Replace the entire panel or patch the hole?

 

[WarWagon]

Yeah either one works. Now the HARDEST part. Your decision!

 

[williamsGN]

I'd replace the whole thing......

Makes me want to go look at the shelf of junk in front of my GN

 

[daves87gn]

You could fix that. Black paint is easy to match

X2
might be easier and cheaper to fix as i heard after market doesnt fit perfect right from the box.

 

[DSEROVY]

That sucks! I walked backwards into my Harley once and I bashed in a new exhaust system - I feel your pain!

 

[hiboom]

fix

looks like a 350-400.00 fix to me, replacing header panel 600.00-800.00

 

[williamsGN]

3 header panels listed on the front page of the for sale section - 150-250, granted at least one was sold, but you get an idea of the price. Have it painted and spend the money on that to make it right. That way you don't have to worry about getting it repainted when the patch cracks, etc.

 

[SloGN]

I had a friend crash his car almost the same way. He had few boxes of heavy crap looming over the GN and he slammed his front door and the boxes fell and his exhaust headers (hot-air) came crashing down and it killed the right front fender and hood.

 

[T What?]

Damnit man! Sorry to hear you have about the same luck as me. Just get it fixed and forget about it as quickly as possible. Then burn that box :biggrin:

 

[Nick Micale]

X2
might be easier and cheaper to fix as i heard after market doesnt fit perfect right from the box.

The "major" problem with an after market panel is that none are available for a GN, they are Regal header panels that have the hole for the stand-up emblem.

The after market panels we have installed look as good as stock, but may take a little more work. The problem is the hole?

I had a header panel replace a couple years ago and was assured to hole would never be visible - wrong, it is now showing?

Unless you can fine a good and experienced fiberglass person, fixing that can be a nightmare. Check with local Corvette guys for fiberglass references as they are very particular.

 

[turboc87gn]

Id replace the panel and have the other one fixed later to keep as a spare....

 

[Dennis Kirban]

Nick is rite.....another issue even if you locate an original GN one with no hole shipping is very tough since its such a weird shape and fragile.

Best option is don't make a hasty decision try and locate a GN factory original header....unfortunately its one of the toughest body parts to find.

denniskirban@yahoo.com

 

[Red C5]

I feel your pain, dropped a bike into the side of the door once.
Good luck finding the part.

 

[Bweavy]

Nick is rite.....another issue even if you locate an original GN one with no hole shipping is very tough since its such a weird shape and fragile.

Best option is don't make a hasty decision try and locate a GN factory original header....unfortunately its one of the toughest body parts to find.

denniskirban@yahoo.com

We shipped one to MD not long ago. It was double boxed. It left here after 6pm fed ex. It was in MD by 8 am. Need less to say it was damaged. Not bad but cracked. $90 + shipping up & $90 plus shipping back. When it came back it was in another new box. Well packed & damaged now on the other side & the original crack even worse.

Miguel would be more of an expert about filling in the 3 holes. I had a body guy who would ground down the original 3 hole by about an 1/8". Then build it up about 1/4" higher then the original height. He would leave it sit for a week. That would allow the glass to cure. Then he would sand the under side so you could barely see there was a hole there. Then he would sand the top perfect height back. When the panel was done it could set in the sun & you couldn't see those 3 small rings where the holes use to be. Not a quick process but we use to sell them as repaired regal converted GN header panels in primer or paint.

Unfortunately it is tough finding even good original regal header panels any more. If you use an after market regal header panel. Remove the made in china stamped steel. Use your original steel that is under your original header panel. This will give the new unit the correct shape. We have went thru about 5 different manufacturers over the years for aftermarket header panels. If they are $125.00 there is a reason for that. They do make better quality units. When you measure a replacement unit it should be the exact same length as your original. Not an 1/8" shy from shrinking up after the mold process.

Long story short if you can save your original do it.

 

[Yedi]

fix it

not a bad fix man....just find an experienced Body man/shop that will do it correctly.

If done correctly, and not rushed, you will never know. If done quick, especially in Black, it will show in no time (black gets alot warmer in the sun than other colors)

3M makes some good adhesives, one is for fiberglass/SMC materials, it's blue, when used w/ a mesh re-inforcement material, it's a good repair. A good alternative to fiberglass..

I feel your pain here...dropped a buffer on my right fender a few years back, made a nice dent, made me sick just looking at it.....I made sure I fixed that right away :biggrin:

 

[pmoore4321]

I really appreciate all the responses. I have been working on my truck just trying to forget about it...

It seems split in opinions of whether to fix it or replace it. I didn't mention the cooler hitting the car also caused a small dent in the hood. Anyone ever do the "paintless dent repair?"

I would have never thought that shipping these header panels would be a problem. Not to mention the aftermarkets have hood ornament holes.

I guess I will try to save the damaged part.

As completely paranoid I was about keeping my kids bicycle away from my car, this happens!

 

[Yedi]

I really appreciate all the responses. I have been working on my truck just trying to forget about it...

It seems split in opinions of whether to fix it or replace it. I didn't mention the cooler hitting the car also caused a small dent in the hood. Anyone ever do the "paintless dent repair?"

I would have never thought that shipping these header panels would be a problem. Not to mention the aftermarkets have hood ornament holes.

I guess I will try to save the damaged part.

As completely paranoid I was about keeping my kids bicycle away from my car, this happens!

I am actually "Ding King" certified in PDR (paintless Dent repair) I'm a body guy though, and it's a different way of thinking doing PDR, and I never was really that great at it. The Pro's can do amazing things, either by pushing the dent out, or using "glue on" tabs, and pulling the dent out...you should see some of the hail jobs we've had in the shop that these guys do, it's amazing...look to spend $50-$75 to have a small ding fixed.

 

[BIGPSI]

evercoat smc resin and fiberglass matt on the backside and front side is a great repair. i had a huge piece broken off of mine and i fixed it 11 years ago and you still can't tell! even in direct sunlight.