General I've C*cked Up!

[F123C]

That damage isn't too bad. My advice would be to take your time in deciding how to proceed, i.e. consider all your options, get estimates etc.,

Maybe ask one of the mobile Dent Removal Specialists to come take a look at it and supply a quote for repair and any necessary localised paint touch-up.?
You may be pleasantly surprised at how much you could save!

May I suggest you try to remove the inner wheel arch liner (black plastic moulding under the wing). (You'll need to jack up the car and support it safely, then remove the road wheel ).It's iirc held on by c.10 screws. There's a metal panel (part of the inner wing) supporting the front edge of the wing and part of the plastic bumper/front panel.This bracket often bends on impact and prevents you pulling the wing back into shape and reclipping the bumper into place.If you look down inside the wing from behind the headlamp inside the engine bay you'll see this bracket.
You'll need to fix this anyway before fitting replacement panels.
Hth,
Al.

 

[rafsteve]

Thanks SLM3
I'd forgot about the 'Go Advanced' option.

Anyway, as you can see. The bumper has become unclipped. I've tried with all my might to push it back in but it won't hold. I guess the clips broke?
I dunno I've never took a bumper off, I don't know the mechanisms under there.

Also the wheel arch is battered and bruised/ out of shape. It goes inwards and then bulges out. Cannot see very well from the pics.
The wing doesn't meet up with the door frame any more, like the other side does. Its about 1cm short.
And there is a good bit of scuffing to the area in general.

Bad times.

I had the same problem on my last bravo, the clip will have poped out and is now out of place, you can remove the entire bumper, check the headlights havent moved position and then refit the bumper.. if needed secure with a cable tie

 

[rafsteve]

Also it looks like your wing has been bent in, use a ball head hammer on the inside and a small scrap of wood wrapped in a tea towel to beat it out abit, thay may be putting preasure on the bumper forcing the top out.. all will become clear when you remove it

 

[F123C]

Thanks @SLM3
I'd forgot about the 'Go Advanced' option.

Anyway, as you can see. The bumper has become unclipped. I've tried with all my might to push it back in but it won't hold. I guess the clips broke?
I dunno I've never took a bumper off, I don't know the mechanisms under there.

Also the wheel arch is battered and bruised/ out of shape. It goes inwards and then bulges out. Cannot see very well from the pics.
The wing doesn't meet up with the door frame any more, like the other side does. Its about 1cm short.
And there is a good bit of scuffing to the area in general.

Bad times.

Re: the wing not meeting up with the dor frame.

When you have straightened/realigned the front of the wing, the rear is likely to line up correctly with the door (prob. need to slacken off the bottom and any rear? wing mounting bolts).
A lot of scuffing can be polished out with scratch remover e.g. T-Cut.
You could potentially fix this damage for zero cost, just a bit of time!

Al.

 

[SLM3]

usually scuffing that causes the wing to be dented and bumper misaligned would require more than a polishing.

 

[mikem1989]

Thanks for the help guys
I'm going to have a go at the weekend and see if I can do anything myself.
I've never had to do anything like this before.
Is removing the wing pretty self explanatory once I've removed the wheel and the plastic guard thing and had a look about?

I have 'smart' insurance. It is supposed to cover bumps scuffs and dents.
Surprise surprise the first time I have come to use it and they said no from the pictures it looks too big of an area affected so they won't fix it.
They only do areas up to 15cm apparently.

However the guy on the phone did say that if I could possibly make it look better/ a smaller area then I could send more pics and they would consider it again.

 

[SLM3]

remove the front bumper. cant say exactly how as i dont have a bravo but you will have fasteners along the top of the bumper, under the bumper and then some holding the wheel arch liner. the bumper should come out fairly easy with a bit of wobbling and remember to disconnect fog lamp connections if you have them.
Then you should be able to see and compare both wings to have an idea of what to do next.
Done forget every job requires a big hammer

 

[mikem1989]

I wish I had the confidence to attempt to fix this myself, unfortunately I think I lack the skill.
I snapped the clips just changing the air filter. I'd hate to think what I'd do to the clips holding the bumper on. I am far too clumsy

Done forget every job requires a big hammer

If only that was the case my heavy handedness would work a treat!

So can anybody here recommend any good body shops in the Surrey/Hampshire or West Yorkshire area?

 

[F123C]

It's a pity the 'smart insurance' didn't cover this damage, this probably would have been ideal.

Sorry you won't be having a go, even to try to reduce the size of the damage to get it allowed by the smart insurance people.

It's a shame you're not near where I live (wrong country!) or I'd invite you over and guide you through the fix. It's really not that hard. Is there no one among your circle of friends/relatives/neighbours/work colleagues who's into car body repairs and could guide/assist you?

Anyway, best of luck, whatever you decide.

Regards,

Al.

 

[mikem1989]

There is a replacement wing on Shop4parts.
Does anybody have a discount code for them?
There was one knocking about a couple of month back but its not working now.

 

[mikem1989]

I took the front bumper off to fit new headlights that I've had for a while but only just got round to it.
While it was off I had a closer look at the damage. Specifically the clips that hold the front bumper in under the light. There is 3, 2 has been broke
I didn't think to take a picture but it's not the bumper side of the clip that has broken, it's the bit that holds it in on the car.

Does anybody know how I would go about fixing this? Is it something I can do myself.

 

[Bamperus]

Thanks for the advice guys.
btw I live in Leeds but work in West London.
I travel thousands and thousands of miles per year, have been driving 7 years and this is the first time I have ever been in a collision.
Lucky this can be classed as Minor.

I'll try and get some pictures up, I'll have another go.

Hi! i don't know how you done this work, but actually it is a absolutely easy work. You can do it by yourself within 15 min if you have a electric dryer. I can tell how, let me know if it is still actual.

 

[mikem1989]

Hi! i don't know how you done this work, but actually it is a absolutely easy work. You can do it by yourself within 15 min if you have a electric dryer. I can tell how, let me know if it is still actual.

Hi, thanks! But it has been sorted now mate. I bought a new panel, fitted it myself and got the whole section resprayed.
The only evidence of the incident underneath the light is still no perfectly flush.
One of the clips that hold the bumper in place snapped. There is still another 2 holding it but I think that is what is causing it not to go flush.

 

[Bamperus]

Many independent bodyshops do 'plastic welding' of bumpers etc. Makes it almost as good as new. There are also DIY plastic welding guns/kits available but probably not cost effective for (hopefully) a one-off job.
Some people have used hot air guns or soldering irons along with wire staples(for reinforcement) to repair splits, followed by a spot repair of any damaged paintwork.
This might be cheaper than trying to find a good s/h bumper in your car's colour.(Front bumpers more often damaged than rears?).

Why not claim off your mother's insurance? :devil:

Al.

Different glue and staple is an easy and cheap way for masters, but it is hold not a long time. Because all the glue do not like moisture and solar ultraviolet radiation and especially frost. At first, iron (wire, staples, wire mesh) could decay, but also it have a difference in thermal expansion with a plastic - therefore alloying iron with time breaks crack again. In general, plastic repair with iron is the lowest quality. Qualitative, really long term repair should be made with a plastics welding, but not all kind of plastics same good.

 

[Bamperus]

Hi, thanks! But it has been sorted now mate. I bought a new panel, fitted it myself and got the whole section resprayed.
The only evidence of the incident underneath the light is still no perfectly flush.
One of the clips that hold the bumper in place snapped. There is still another 2 holding it but I think that is what is causing it not to go flush.

okay, looks like there are no real problem anymore

 

[Bamperus]

Many independent bodyshops do 'plastic welding' of bumpers etc. Makes it almost as good as new. There are also DIY plastic welding guns/kits available but probably not cost effective for (hopefully) a one-off job.
Some people have used hot air guns or soldering irons along with wire staples(for reinforcement) to repair splits, followed by a spot repair of any damaged paintwork.
This might be cheaper than trying to find a good s/h bumper in your car's colour.(Front bumpers more often damaged than rears?).

Why not claim off your mother's insurance? :devil:

Al.[/QUOT
I found a good example of repair with planar connectors: