Clay Wilson

Hi guys,
I just got back from the dealership (Inskip Porsche in RI) having the damage from my accident looked at. The Body Shop Manager claimed he could panel beat the quarter back into shape without taking it off. He said that the structural integrity of the factory welds are better than what anyone can do in a bodyshop and that a small weakening of the fender flair is better than weakening of the rocker panel and decklid joint. Does this make sense to anyone else.

Here is a reminder of the damage



I guess as long as it is put back to the same place it doesnt make a difference. Also the repair is guaranteed so if the panel flexes and the paint cracks its their responsibility.

Any thoughts are appreciated

PS For those guessing it was an off duty police officer who ran the stop sign. And of course SHE was driving an SUV.

<img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Kevin

Clay;

You've been given some good advice. I would check around for a master craftsman who can really use a hammer and dolly. The other choice is to look in the factory manuals and Porsche explains how they do a partial replacement. However, for the lack of structual damage to your car I'd just have a good metal man handle the job without replacing the quarter and all the spot welds. Also, you will remove all of the excellent undercoating. It's quite a job to match the factory job.

warmfuzzies

It's an option, but just make sure that the uneven pattern that WILL be left is lead filled, not some cheap after market filler.

mojorizing

Hi Clay,
I had damage to my fender similar to yours. This is what I learned.

1) The steel used on Porsche bodies is a more malleable, mild steel as opposed to the thinner, high tensile steel of domestic and japanese cars. Given that, they'll be able to work the steel back to original shape..or as close as possible.

2) They're going to use plastic filler to fair the surface. There's high tech stuff that will adhere to the metal, flex with the paint, and out live the car. But resign yourself that your car will have a little plastic on it.

3) They should prep. and paint the entire section that was damaged....that includes your drivers side flare etc. The pro's don't blend their paint jobs..they go from seam to seam. In a blend job, ten years from the two paints will fade at different rates and the repair will be visible.

4) Take a close inspection of the rear of the car...everybody is focusing on the obvious damage to the panel. Case in point, due to the stress from my fender bender, a small crease or bump was caused next to the rear window seam leading under the window gasket to the edge of the frame...maybe 3 inches long. They had to remove my Targa's rear window to complete repairs properly.

5) And lastly, remember when you where a kid and you got your first bike? You might have obsessed over the cleanliness, till one day you accidently put a big scratch in the frame, mud in the gears, and tweaked the handle bars. From then on, you rode that bike with total abandon, without regard to keeping it's pristine condition.

6) You got a scratch on your car...now you can drive it with total abandon!!!!!

<img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

BrokeAss

An off-duty cop nailed you?!?!? <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

So how much verbal abuse did you hurl at her before she flashed you her badge? What I really want to know is if she was cited, or did her fellow officers extend her a little "professional courtesy"?

Roland Kunz

Hello

Thats correct

Repairing that needs a skilled man and maybe more time then renewing the part ( especially if you do some "shortcuts" ).

If you find such a man who prefers that kind of work then you are in good hands.

Porsche bodys are very solid and don´t use the fenders to support their main structure.

Grüsse