Damage to side panel of motorhome

[The Curly's]

Morning all, I have damaged the side panel of my motorhome. Please could I get some advice on the best and cheapest way of getting this fixed?

 

[Crazylegs]

First job is to make the damage waterproof with gaffa tape or similar. Then use your insurance for a professional repair,

 

[The Curly's]

Thank you for your reply crazy legs. I will contact them this morning. Do you think it would need a new panel or is it possible to repair the damaged area?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I would check out your local car body shop repairer ,your problem is your size for most workshops If you have a local private bus / coach company nearby you could always ask them who they would use.

 

[Razamataz]

dead easy fibre glass repair

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[funflair]

dead easy fibre glass repair

Not with normal Polyester resin found in DIY repair kits though as the resin will melt the Polystyrene insulation, epoxy and glass fibre would be OK for a localised repair and then get a new graphic made with a white background and no need for paint even.

Or contact your insurance but you will have an excess and they might load next years premium so not the cheapest.

If it was mine I would go down the DIY repair route

 

[PP Bear]

Looks worse than it is and almost all is under the awning. If it was mine, I’d not tell the insurance company as you’ll pay dearly for it later I’m sure. A decent body shop can sort that if you don’t feel able to tackled it. Also luckily it’s in the area of the graphics so will be covered once completed.

I punched holes in the rear of my AT and used body filler and a spray and it looks fine to me. Think it’s the gut wrenching feeling of ouch that makes it worse than it seems.

Good luck with it

 

[Crazylegs]

Thank you for your reply crazy legs. I will contact them this morning. Do you think it would need a new panel or is it possible to repair the damaged area?

It’s definitely repairable, but I would recommend a professional approach rather than a diy job. Most diy repairs are still visible afterwards, either imperfect repair or the wrong colour or they deteriorate in time.

 

[Lenny HB]

Don't take to a car body shop find a boat repair guy at marina he will do a far better job.
Such a small job I wouldn't put it through insurance as it will affect all your other insurances.
Looks like a fairly easy DIY job to me providing you can get matching gel coat.

 

[The Curly's]

Thank you all for your help and advice. I think I will try to take it to the the body repair shop and get it repaired rather than go through my insurance company.

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[GeoffnDee]

The Curly's I do not know your location but if you are near Essex Link Removed should be able to help.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank you all for your help and advice. I think I will try to take it to the the body repair shop and get it repaired rather than go through my insurance company.

As I said you will get a much better job done by a boat repair guy. Body shops tend to bodge GRP repairs, they fill and spray rather than using gel coat for the finish.

 

[tonka]

Insurance claim maybe, It will be repairable. Not a panel replacement as the whole side of the van is one piece.
Your profile does not state where you are but if anywhere near the midlands try Cannock re-sprays.
https://www.motorhomerepairs.co.uk/ Authorised insurance and Autotrail agent..

I had a scratch on my past van.

 

[Wack]

Thank you all for your help and advice. I think I will try to take it to the the body repair shop and get it repaired rather than go through my insurance company.

Take the advice above and go to a marina, they specialise in waterproof repairs, though their mistakes aren't generally visible from the bank

 

[rolosroller]

Which area do you live?