Arrrrrrgh! Stupid me...

[eTiMaGo]

Trying to get out of a very tight parking spot next to a van... It was going perfect, but I did not take into account the van's front bumper sticking out more than I thought... So with a heart-wrenching scrape and a "bong" sound, I now have some battle scars on the side of my baby :frown:

Thankfully most of it was external and I could wipe it off with a damp cloth, but there are some more permanent problems:

http://www.etimago.com/yaris/DSC00073.jpg
Barely visible, but there's a dent right in the middle of the door...

http://www.etimago.com/yaris/DSC00074.jpg
This is a big streak down the door, but it seems to be a gummy material on the outside of the paint, maybe some of the van's clearcoat? I tried to rub it off with a damp cloth, but WD-40 might be more appropriate.

http://www.etimago.com/yaris/DSC00075.jpg
This is the worst spot, on the edge of the actual car frame, down to the bone :cry:

So what do you guys recommend for that last spot? can a touch-up pen be enough, or will there still be a risk of rust?

Man, I was so pissed, I just floored it once I got on the road, got a nice chirp going into second gear, it was somehow soothing... But still, this is all my fault, I though I could just squeeze past... guess not...

[death is my gift]

Oh crap! That totally blows. And I bet it sucks even more knowing that you did it yourself. Trust me, I've been there. I had an apartment entrance gate close on my brand new 2001 Protege'. Scraped the ENTIRE right side of my car.

I can't help with your question but I can sure sympathize with you.

[jdium]

Ouch, that sucks very much bad. As for the last spot, a touch up pen will work to prevent rust if you are thorough, but you gotta make sure to keep a nice coat of wax on it to help the protection...

[Doc Zaius]

Sorry to hear that, Thomas. I did the exact same thing in my old Chevy... it is a very sickening sound! :frown:

[brickhardmeat]

Gues you'll need to prime the spot first and then use the touch up. They have primer in pens also. I think you will not have to worry about rust if you prime first.:smile:

[kurokoma-kun]

Gaaah! :frown: I'm so sorry, poor lil chili pepper...

I banged my door on rock wall first week I got it, good sized chip right on the edge. I got decent results with paint pen. I also used clearcoat pen over that. Used a scrubber pad like you use for dishes to smooth in between coats.

Are you going to try the hairdryer + compressed air trick for the dent?

[Black Yaris]

rubbing coupound will get most of that out, as for the spot missing paint.... yeah that sux

[Razr]

Oh nooo! man that sucks.

You should cover up that exposed edge with touch up paint ASAP seeing as there's raw metal visible - you should have got a small can of paint with the car. While there's no way you're going to be able to brush it on good enough to live with, at least you'll be protecting the body from any rust.

The more minor stuff will probably just buff out with something like Meguiars Scratch X (http://www.meguiars.co.th/message/?MID=3&tblpoint=p&targetid=p_id&p_id=2&parent_id=1&page=info&pc_id=10) or a light cutting wax.

Then again, I'd expect it'll only cost 2500-3500 Baht for a full professional repair job, including fixing the dent.

[bugnuts]

eTiMaGo, You did not mention the results of the accident, did you damage the van and if so did it get reported to the owner or police? was this a hit and run

[Razr]

This is Thailand - parking scrapes are nearly always "hit & run".

In the two years I owned my last car, I had the drivers door punched in & scraped twice, and the front bumper and guard smashed in - 3 accidents requiring "surgery" all while parked. And another 3 incidents while not parked on top of that! The people around here aren't the best/safest in the world LOL.

Fortunately repairs are cheap (eTiMaGo's will cost about USD$100 give or take), so insurance isn't too expensive even though you're almost certain to claim once or twice a year.

[Safariworld]

Was it one of those long wheelbase HIACE with the giant overhang bumpers?

I think Razr is right, better to just take it for some body and paint work rather than a DIY touch up. The only proble with that is the lead time required for the shop.

[eTiMaGo]

Well, the van was an old, beat up company delivery van, so I doubt the driver would notice the damage :tongue: but I did check, there was just a bit of red paint at the bumper's corner, and some scuffing, nothing major.

I'll check with my insurance if they can work out anything, there's actually a body shop down the road, I always see some really beat up cars there, they seem to do a good job. But first I'l put a dab of touchup paint on the bare metal just in case.

Oh and Razr, have you ever been to south korea? drivers there are WAY worse when it comes to bumping and scraping, it's like they just don't care, the smarter ones put those metal "kangaroo bars" or whatever they're called, like we see on some taxis here... crazy place :tongue:

[Razr]

Nope, never been to South Korea, but it's pretty difficult to imagine worse drivers, heh. Here's an interesting stat I found at an ASEAN website:

"The Asia and Pacific region contributes 44% of global road deaths, although it has only around 14% of the world's motorized vehicle fleet."

I guess that puts it into perspective :)

[Razr]

Well, the van was an old, beat up company delivery van, so I doubt the driver would notice the damage :tongue:

That van is probably responsible for 100+ damaged cars a year - so whatever damage you did to him is just plain karma :wink:

[Safariworld]

Etimago, heres something to make you feel a bit better. This is a recent bit of collision damage to my car. A friend borrowed it and smashed up the front bumper. In the photo, the middle portion was secured with a piece of string to stop it from dragging on the floor. The plastic cover under the engine was also torn off. Seeing my car like this was not a good thing. It was very very time consuming to fix.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3960/bumperyf2.jpg

[hasher22]

thats a nice front bumper...where can i get one!!! ??? :(

[Safariworld]

Haha... more like WAS a nice bumper. Its fixed now.

Its the Ings+1 N-Spec kit. There are 2 distributors in Australia. Heres the link:

http://www.ings-net.com/english/pro-shop/wld-area/oceania.html

[eTiMaGo]

Etimago, heres something to make you feel a bit better. This is a recent bit of collision damage to my car. A friend borrowed it and smashed up the front bumper. In the photo, the middle portion was secured with a piece of string to stop it from dragging on the floor. The plastic cover under the engine was also torn off. Seeing my car like this was not a good thing. It was very very time consuming to fix.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3960/bumperyf2.jpg

Ouch ouch ouch... Is your friend still alive? I would have broken his neck if I was you :biggrin:

And if I'm not mistaken that was an original bumper from Japan, right?

[eTiMaGo]

That van is probably responsible for 100+ damaged cars a year - so whatever damage you did to him is just plain karma :wink:

Yeah but the crappy thing is I'm usually give myself way too big of a safety margin when maneuvering, when I think I'm about to hit something I'm still far away form it. I usually think "oh crap, I'm not gonna be able to fit there", but this time I thought I just should make it... Happened to me once before as well, in my mom's car, but when going into an underground parking spot next to a pillar... She was OK with it, though, she already had put her fair share of scratches on the bumper :laugh:

[Safariworld]

Yes, this is the original bumper ordered from Japan. Well, when something happens, it happens. My friend settled the repair costs and most of the arrangements so it worked out ok.

A key point is not to sell off your original car parts if you can. I had to drive around with the factory front bumper for a long time while the repairs were pending.

[eijikikimaru]

Claybar like others say for the gummy...WD40 could work too I guess. As for the chip the pen will cover most...hopefully. Sorry to hear about what happen Thomas


Ahh Korean Drivers... Oh how I know what you mean.
Oh wait a min! I'm one of them!!!

Anyways yah, in Korea they're pretty ruthless. Pedestrians really don't have the right of way, it's just something they say so the pedestrian feels safer. In reality it's a front so drivers can get more targets to get more points!
That old game called Crazy Taxi, well in Korean it's not just a game it's real~

I remember back when I was 11 and trying to cross a street in a crosswalk... I stood on the side of the road for at least 10mins just to get halfway. There was no island so I got stuck in the middle while cars were just zoomed by. Another 3 mins went by before I got to the other side. There was no stoplight for cars to wait and oh man, the adults on the street were freaking out! That was kinda fun now that I think about it...I wonder if they built a street light yet?

[seanele]

aha!!!...now i kno why you don't want to post more new pics.
is this why?...
or am i just being a stalker to your cool red Yaris??..:tongue:

[Ferret_san]

Claybar like others say

+1 for the clay bar.

These things are a must and should be in everyones soap bucket. Just be careful and take your time when using these.

[Katana]

This sucks, bad luck...

[eTiMaGo]

yeah... and it pains me to say this, but a couple of days ago an idiot on a motorbike does an illegal U-turn and slams into me! Another big scratch on the other side...

Ah well, insurance is gonna have a lot of work to do next week :biggrin:

[swng]

Sorry to learn about that but glad that apparently you are OK! Hope, as you implied, insurance helps.

[landrym28]

Definately some bad luck there! Hopefully you're ok!

[Ferret_san]

Considering the number of bikes and the like in Thialand, you've probably been living on borrowed time !!!

[eTiMaGo]

Heheheh I used to drive a small bike. Like a maniac... They're fun, I never needed the rear view mirrors, nobody could catch up to me... So I kinda understand the bike drivers' mindset and habits, which helps a lot. But this guy saw me, thought I was slowing down to let him pass (why would I? he's doing an illegal U-turn after all), and tried to cut across the road...

[Razr]

Considering the number of bikes and the like in Thialand, you've probably been living on borrowed time !!!

No kidding! Here it's not a matter of if you'll hit a motorbike, it's just a matter of when.. All you can hope is that the none of the people on the bike at the time die (could be 1-6 of them), because even stupid people have a right to live ;)

Heheheh I used to drive a small bike. Like a maniac... They're fun, I never needed the rear view mirrors, nobody could catch up to me...

Must have been in BKK! - we don't have much gridlock up here so the average speed of cars is ~90-120km/hr, while the average speed of bikes is ~40-60km/hr. Look behind or die ;)

[eTiMaGo]

Must have been in BKK! - we don't have much gridlock up here so the average speed of cars is ~90-120km/hr, while the average speed of bikes is ~40-60km/hr. Look behind or die ;)

Phuket actually... people just drive slooooow... and I was a young hotheaded punk... even challenged a fat guy on a Harley off the line... I had the advantage for about 10 meters :laugh:

Good days good days...

[forpinks]

Toyota Thailand to the rescue!

That sucks dude, especially if you "accidentally" did it...

[GabL]

Speaking of crazy traffic, I think China could be the worst...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aodbmS_43M

[Razr]

Speaking of crazy traffic, I think China could be the worst...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aodbmS_43M

Classic Asian driving that ;)

Now imagine if there were no busses at all, and instead each one was replaced by another 40 motorcycles, and 80% of the cars were actually pickup trucks with 10+ people hanging out of the tray, not to mention throwing in a few trucks with loads twice as long and/or wide as the truck itself, and also imagine that there were actually traffic lights there that no-one was paying attention to, and then you've got Thai driving ;)