*SIGH* Damaged Rear Clam - LotusTalk

Yokozuna · 06-02-2009, 04:17 PM

Please take a look at the photo (link) and let me know what you think. I don't see any damage other than the cracks and a scuffed bumperette. Do you think I'll need a new clam? The other driver got tickets for "Failure to control speed" and a suspended license. He didn't have proof of insurance, but the car he was driving IS insured.

Name: damage1.jpg
Views: 557
Size: 446.8 KB

Name: damage1.jpg
Views: 557
Size: 446.8 KB

You can click on the link to look at the full size version on flicker.com (click "All Sizes" and then click on the original size to view.)

The original is 10.3MB.

I also need to know who in the DFW area does the best Lotus body repair.

Flickr Photo Download: damage

serpent · 06-02-2009, 04:28 PM

I dont see "All Sizes" or "original size"

but from what i can see, it will be fixable. One of those "it will buff right out". Then again, i cant really see a crack in the clam with the small pic

Yokozuna · 06-02-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serpent

I dont see "All Sizes" or "original size"

but from what i can see, it will be fixable. One of those "it will buff right out". Then again, i cant really see a crack in the clam with the small pic

SORRY! Now you can look at the all sizes. I missed that setting.

Sh4rkattk · 06-02-2009, 04:58 PM

Looks like the paint is cracked. Not a buff out damage.

CrusaderTBC · 06-03-2009, 12:09 PM

you can't really tell the damage.. need to look at it from the other side with a bright light source to make the cracks show up.

Vishus_1 · 06-03-2009, 01:03 PM

Awful - yeah those are stress cracks. It also looks like paint is missing right on the crease that surrounds the oval (the part the taillights are in). A repaint alone won't work. You have 2 routes - get a new clam or have a shop repair this clam. I think a bigger problem will be the paint - Chrome Orange can be tricky. Different paint manufacturers can create different effects in the metallic and color shifting you see with CO. Another thing I notice (most do not) is the clear coats effect which can look darker in artificial light or under incandescent or florescent light. This tends to make the repainted part stick out like a sore thumb. Again most don't understand this and if not - they wont recognize it or care. There are no easy break lines to blend and I would suggest that anyway - the whole clam at the least will need to be repainted. If you want the hatch to match the clam - it too will need that (or at least clear sprayed again over your color). I usually see CO Exiges hatch not match the clam when such a respray is done. Then, not to add more complications, is if you choose to repair this clam, the shop must prepare this very well to avoid contaminants from sanding, filler and old wax/protectants - and anything you may have ever put on the tires.

BlankCzech · 06-04-2009, 08:59 PM

I can see extensive horizontal spider-webbing. The real damage is inside or on the underside of the fiberglass. I think the paint needs to come off and re applied. Also do an inspection from inside the trunk. Put a camera on macro setting and take a pic from inside the trunk. I don't think this is a clam replacement though. Probably repaint the entire rearward facing area.
I'm no expert. I probably don't make novice

Also...Check the crease very closely. Inside and out. (Yes I just typed that).

shokwaves · 06-04-2009, 10:43 PM

That sucks! Paint definetely cracked. If this gets sanded down for repaint, have a look at the fiber glass. Pain in the a.. regardless.

Yokozuna · 07-21-2009, 03:38 AM

A call from my insurance guy tells me I'm getting a new clam, "bumper" and half of the car painted to the mid doors. I have a question about diminished value. I know that the shop doing the repair is VERY GOOD. I don't expect to be able to tell that anything was done. BUT, does the fact that this will show on the cars history (CARFAX?) make my car worth less that another '07 Exige with 12,000 miles that has had no accidents? My car only had a few rock chips before the accident.

Any answers you have would help.

THANKS!
Ben

Terculees · 07-21-2009, 09:07 AM

Depends on the insurance. When I had my front clam replaced on my first Elise after creaming an opossum at 80 MPH, there was no car fax entry. But Wawanesa may be less dilligent about entering carfax records than say, Progressive or Nationwode.

E_Swift · 07-21-2009, 03:07 PM

You never know about CARFAX. Ususally, if an accident shows up, it is from local govt records.

This is usually only a concern if a police report was filed. (I'm sure one was, in your case)

06-02-2009, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Yokozuna Racing/Car Photographer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Krum, Texas Posts: 259	SIGH Damaged Rear Clam Please take a look at the photo (link) and let me know what you think. I don't see any damage other than the cracks and a scuffed bumperette. Do you think I'll need a new clam? The other driver got tickets for "Failure to control speed" and a suspended license. He didn't have proof of insurance, but the car he was driving IS insured. You can click on the link to look at the full size version on flicker.com (click "All Sizes" and then click on the original size to view.) The original is 10.3MB. I also need to know who in the DFW area does the best Lotus body repair. Flickr Photo Download: damage __________________ 2002 Miata SE Titanium Gray, 6-speed, Bose 6-CD, Limited Slip (1 of 1491) 2007 CO Exige S, Track Pack, Touring Pack, Limited Slip, Traction Control, Star Shield - Useless Mirror Removed, Multivex Side Mirrors, Lotus Belt Pads, Sector111 Carbon Fiber Front Spoiler, Red Folding Front Tow Hook and Carpet Buttons, Chase Cam Mounts, JVC Everio 60GB HD Camcorder with Sunpak 37mm Wide Angle Lens and SanDisk 8GB MicroSD, 27% 3M Window Tint. Last edited by Yokozuna : 06-02-2009 at 05:31 PM. Reason: Link not working

06-02-2009, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
serpent Driver!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,461	I dont see "All Sizes" or "original size" but from what i can see, it will be fixable. One of those "it will buff right out". Then again, i cant really see a crack in the clam with the small pic __________________ Studies show 100% of people die. Might as well have some fun.

06-02-2009, 04:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sh4rkattk A pound at a time. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LA SFV Posts: 559	Looks like the paint is cracked. Not a buff out damage. __________________ 07 Exige S - PhB., TP, TP, LSD, S111 Rear Panel Delete, 2Bular De-Cat, 2Bular 8x24 Burnt GT3, Custom AEM Intake, 6k HID's, Schroth 4pt ASM Harnesses, Milled Steering Arms, Bronze Volk TE37 w/ RE-01R's, Carbon Craftsquare Mirrors, Carbon Front Lip, Benetec Dry Carbon Undertray/Diffuser

06-03-2009, 12:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
CrusaderTBC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 126	you can't really tell the damage.. need to look at it from the other side with a bright light source to make the cracks show up. __________________ 07 Arctic Silver Exige S 00 Raven Black Audi TT

06-03-2009, 01:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Vishus_1 Super charged! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,038 Images: 62	Awful - yeah those are stress cracks. It also looks like paint is missing right on the crease that surrounds the oval (the part the taillights are in). A repaint alone won't work. You have 2 routes - get a new clam or have a shop repair this clam. I think a bigger problem will be the paint - Chrome Orange can be tricky. Different paint manufacturers can create different effects in the metallic and color shifting you see with CO. Another thing I notice (most do not) is the clear coats effect which can look darker in artificial light or under incandescent or florescent light. This tends to make the repainted part stick out like a sore thumb. Again most don't understand this and if not - they wont recognize it or care. There are no easy break lines to blend and I would suggest that anyway - the whole clam at the least will need to be repainted. If you want the hatch to match the clam - it too will need that (or at least clear sprayed again over your color). I usually see CO Exiges hatch not match the clam when such a respray is done. Then, not to add more complications, is if you choose to repair this clam, the shop must prepare this very well to avoid contaminants from sanding, filler and old wax/protectants - and anything you may have ever put on the tires. __________________ 2009 Exige 260 SPORT - Chrome Orange / Carbon Fiber / Black with the mustache Purchased through St Louis Motorsports

06-04-2009, 08:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
BlankCzech Whatever Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticuit Posts: 49 Images: 6	I can see extensive horizontal spider-webbing. The real damage is inside or on the underside of the fiberglass. I think the paint needs to come off and re applied. Also do an inspection from inside the trunk. Put a camera on macro setting and take a pic from inside the trunk. I don't think this is a clam replacement though. Probably repaint the entire rearward facing area. I'm no expert. I probably don't make novice Also...Check the crease very closely. Inside and out. (Yes I just typed that). __________________ Nightfall Blue, Hard top, Starshield, urge-to-drive pack is standard im told. Last edited by BlankCzech : 06-04-2009 at 09:07 PM. Reason: Addition

06-04-2009, 10:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
shokwaves Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Carson, California Posts: 1,018	That sucks! Paint definetely cracked. If this gets sanded down for repaint, have a look at the fiber glass. Pain in the a.. regardless.

07-21-2009, 03:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
Yokozuna Racing/Car Photographer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Krum, Texas Posts: 259	A call from my insurance guy tells me I'm getting a new clam, "bumper" and half of the car painted to the mid doors. I have a question about diminished value. I know that the shop doing the repair is VERY GOOD. I don't expect to be able to tell that anything was done. BUT, does the fact that this will show on the cars history (CARFAX?) make my car worth less that another '07 Exige with 12,000 miles that has had no accidents? My car only had a few rock chips before the accident. Any answers you have would help. THANKS! Ben __________________ 2002 Miata SE Titanium Gray, 6-speed, Bose 6-CD, Limited Slip (1 of 1491) 2007 CO Exige S, Track Pack, Touring Pack, Limited Slip, Traction Control, Star Shield - Useless Mirror Removed, Multivex Side Mirrors, Lotus Belt Pads, Sector111 Carbon Fiber Front Spoiler, Red Folding Front Tow Hook and Carpet Buttons, Chase Cam Mounts, JVC Everio 60GB HD Camcorder with Sunpak 37mm Wide Angle Lens and SanDisk 8GB MicroSD, 27% 3M Window Tint.

07-21-2009, 09:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Terculees Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 360	Depends on the insurance. When I had my front clam replaced on my first Elise after creaming an opossum at 80 MPH, there was no car fax entry. But Wawanesa may be less dilligent about entering carfax records than say, Progressive or Nationwode. __________________ 2006 Solar Yellow Elise \| Touring \| Tint \| Amp + Sub 2000 VW Passat 1.8 Turbo automatic yawn RIP 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise \| Touring

07-21-2009, 03:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
E_Swift Back to Basics Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 327	You never know about CARFAX. Ususally, if an accident shows up, it is from local govt records. This is usually only a concern if a police report was filed. (I'm sure one was, in your case) __________________ Current:{2006 Volvo V50}{2005 Lotus Elise}{2005 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS}{2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi}{1988 Lancia Delta Integrale} Past: {1997 Honda Civic EX}{1994 Infiniti J30}{1992 Volkswagen Passat GL}{1988 BMW M3}{1988 Nissan 300ZX}{1988 Ford Taurus LX}{1971 BMW 2002}

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