Can our bodykits be repaired?

b2tf · 07-01-2012, 11:03 PM

I have a rather long split in one of the sideskirts on the ute and I'd like to get it repaired. I'm getting different answers about whether it can be done successfully, some panel guys are saying that the heat in the welding process would bugger the skirt therefore not worth trying, others reckon maybe a fibreglass repair kit from the reverse side might hold it together enough to fill and paint. So has anybody ever actually had repair work done on the factory plastic skirts, and did it work?

EATHSV · 07-01-2012, 11:06 PM

Dunno if it helps but my front pods on the XR8 were backfilled with bog and fibreglass to repair them.

b2tf · 07-01-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EATHSV

Dunno if it helps but my front pods on the XR8 were backfilled with bog and fibreglass to repair them.

Did it hold up ok? The split is right under the door, stuffed if i know how it happened, I think it was like that when I bought it but you can barely notice it. I think thats why the glass kit option was suggested, if it was a huge hole it wouldnt work but its not that noticable. I just know its there!

EATHSV · 07-01-2012, 11:17 PM

Yeah mate not a mark on them afterwards. They were trashed when i got it too. Half the drivers side was hanging. Once it was fixed you would've thought they were new off the shelf.

Compare pic one (it got worse before it was fixed) to pic three.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11303731

BZINGA · 07-01-2012, 11:38 PM

AU uses PUR plastic for genuine bars and kits, it's a plastic that needs special glues etc or will keep splitting. It's not cheap to fix but if you want it done right the first time get it done professionally by a bumper recoer etc who deals with this stuff.

b2tf · 08-01-2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EATHSV

Yeah mate not a mark on them afterwards. They were trashed when i got it too. Half the drivers side was hanging. Once it was fixed you would've thought they were new off the shelf.

Compare pic one (it got worse before it was fixed) to pic three.
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11303731

They did come up well. The only other option I have is to buy a fibreglass copy of the skirt and replace the plastic one with it, would kind of like to keep the factory plastic though.

KOUPE76 · 08-01-2012, 09:31 AM

Short answer is YES they can be repaired, just need to find the right panel guy who knows what they are doing, seen AU/BA bars and side skirts repaired and done well, I've even seen them months later and no problems.
The guys I use down here are experts in all aspects of plastic welding etc.

b2tf · 08-01-2012, 09:49 AM

Mick do you know how much roughly it costs? Im prepared to pull the skirt off and send it down to be fixed if i have to.

KOUPE76 · 08-01-2012, 10:09 AM

Ill let you know tomorrow after I drop in to see them, leave it with me!
Won't cost that much, did you want it painted as well?

b2tf · 08-01-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KOUPE76

Ill let you know tomorrow after I drop in to see them, leave it with me!
Won't cost that much, did you want it painted as well?

Thanks a lot, much appreciated. Probably not painted as it would have to be freighted back and I have some other paint work being done on the car so will get it all done in one hit.