Damaged rocker panel from car lift
#1
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Damaged rocker panel from car lift
My car's rocker panel was damaged while on the lift in a shop. Shop is reimbursing me $700, and looking on others opinions.
1. Keep money and don't repair the small damage.
2. Have dent filled and blend paint with rest of rocker panel.
3. Replace entire rocker panel.
4. Buy some side skirt splitters/trim pieces to cover up?
I looked at some skirt splitters but it looks like their attachment point is underneath so it wouldn't cover up the mark which is just right on the edge.
1. Keep money and don't repair the small damage.
2. Have dent filled and blend paint with rest of rocker panel.
3. Replace entire rocker panel.
4. Buy some side skirt splitters/trim pieces to cover up?
I looked at some skirt splitters but it looks like their attachment point is underneath so it wouldn't cover up the mark which is just right on the edge.
#2
Unless it is really noticeable, I'd take the money and do nothing
Replacing the rocker is really drastic, and would really devalue the car.
Maybe try some professional dent repair places to see see if they can get it out
Replacing the rocker is really drastic, and would really devalue the car.
Maybe try some professional dent repair places to see see if they can get it out
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That's what I'm leaning towards, since it is so low down on the side trim. The piece is all plastic (afaik) so it can be swapped out but it runs the whole length of the car so I am wary of getting it filled in/repainted due to the potential and almost guarantee of color mismatch given the ultra white color w/ glass particles. I'm also having a Lexus dealer install RSR Down springs so it should be even less noticeable.
#4
That's what I'm leaning towards, since it is so low down on the side trim. The piece is all plastic (afaik) so it can be swapped out but it runs the whole length of the car so I am wary of getting it filled in/repainted due to the potential and almost guarantee of color mismatch given the ultra white color w/ glass particles. I'm also having a Lexus dealer install RSR Down springs so it should be even less noticeable.
#5
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I had exactly the same thing happen to mine (although closer to the front lift point) when it was just a few months old. I'm friends with the shop owner so I didn't ask for any compensation. After studying up on the plastic material used I took a heat gun to it -- VERY carefully and at low temperature -- and after about 10 minutes the indentation had almost disappeared (see image). I left it overnight and now you have to look really closely to see any damage. I'd completely forgotten about it until I read your post.
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Did you do anything else besides apply low heat to the area? Not sure if it'll help in my case because although it's a very small indentation, there's a noticeable crease in the plastic. The part of the lift arm that telescopes out basically dug into the area as the car was sitting.
I know it's nothing major, but it's so frustrating because it seems like every place is pretty careless when lifting cars up. With my previous car, a shop jammed the lift arms underneath the sideskirts to make them clear the car instead of taking the extra minute or two to jack the car up and then setting it on the lift arms with proper blocks.
I know it's nothing major, but it's so frustrating because it seems like every place is pretty careless when lifting cars up. With my previous car, a shop jammed the lift arms underneath the sideskirts to make them clear the car instead of taking the extra minute or two to jack the car up and then setting it on the lift arms with proper blocks.
I had exactly the same thing happen to mine (although closer to the front lift point) when it was just a few months old. I'm friends with the shop owner so I didn't ask for any compensation. After studying up on the plastic material used I took a heat gun to it -- VERY carefully and at low temperature -- and after about 10 minutes the indentation had almost disappeared (see image). I left it overnight and now you have to look really closely to see any damage. I'd completely forgotten about it until I read your post.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Keep the money. That's barely considered damage. I had a tow truck driver (wrongfully towed btw) attempt to tow my BMW away and he managed to actually pop off the side skirt and break the clips of the skirt. Now that was actual damage. You can live with that above.
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#8
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Did you do anything else besides apply low heat to the area? Not sure if it'll help in my case because although it's a very small indentation, there's a noticeable crease in the plastic. The part of the lift arm that telescopes out basically dug into the area as the car was sitting.
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Do you know of a store in the USA that sells them and whether it's possible to buy them painted in factory colors?
Last edited by plastus; 09-20-16 at 04:19 PM.
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