curb damage to fiberglass rocker panel
04-29-2011, 07:19 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
curb damage to fiberglass rocker panel
I backed over a curb today and the sickening sound of fiberglass being eaten away as it ground into the concrete made be sick to my stomach. The damage is just the last inch of rocker panel just infront of the rear wheel. The fiberglass is now raw and I can see a crack about 1 inch higher in the wheel well area. In the experience of the forum members is it better to buy a whole new panel or find a good body shop that does fiberglass. Agian this area is only about 1 square inch and the repair is more for my sanity and vanity.
04-29-2011, 07:25 PM
#2
Team Owner
Just get it fixed. The rocker panel isn't made to be replaced. It's bonded to the frame, a huge job to disassemble the car to replace it. Any "good" body shop can make good as new. 
04-29-2011, 09:30 PM
#4
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '13
04-29-2011, 09:34 PM
#6
Race Director
A neighbor of mine did almost the same thing... but a lot worse.. he drove over and cracked BOTH rocker panels... ....bottom line the "Total repair to replace "BOTH rocker panels was just over $9,000 !!
If its small get it repaired as opposed to a new rocker... JMO
If its small get it repaired as opposed to a new rocker... JMO
04-29-2011, 10:01 PM
#7
Instructor
This is a perfect example of why a back-up camera is a desirable feature. I have a heckuva time estimating where the Vette rear is when backing up into a parking space.
My DD has a camera (which is practically invisible) and my wife's car has the sonar warning sensors. You really start to depend on those parking aids when you have them. It'll be a good thing when back-up cams are standard equipment. Here's the latest on that:
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...-camera-rule/1
My DD has a camera (which is practically invisible) and my wife's car has the sonar warning sensors. You really start to depend on those parking aids when you have them. It'll be a good thing when back-up cams are standard equipment. Here's the latest on that:
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...-camera-rule/1
04-29-2011, 10:04 PM
#8
Moderator
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A buddy cut a corner short and gouged a section of his rocker just at the passenger door. Body shop repaired it and you cannot tell where the damage was done.
04-30-2011, 12:41 AM
#11
Melting Slicks
I did the same thing, that's why I don't park in the last spot next to the curb any more. As I was pulling out, cut the wheel to soon and caught the corner of it under the rocker.
Had it repaired and could not tell it was ever damaged.
Had it repaired and could not tell it was ever damaged.
