Ice, Car -> Wall. Help please :(

[-Danman-]

Last week I parked up on my sloped drive. Put the handbrake on and put it in reverse, then I got out and shut the door. That's when this decides to happen:

Luckily the drain pipe took most of the impact. I had a quick look over the front end and it looked okay.

Earlier on today I had a closer inspection and after wiping away the brick dust, I found this:

It's not too clear on the photo but the marks are dents and scratches where it made contact with the wall.

Does anyone have an idea how to get rid of them? It's very noticeable


(The bumper had also come unclipped underneath the passenger wing but I've sorted that out. Can't see any other marks/cracks or whatever)

 

[MarkCup]

Ouch.

Doesn't look like you did put it in reverse as the snow patterns left suggest the wheels were rotating as it moved toward the wall...

 

[Feates172]

wet sand it, and spray it black?

or wrap it with some black vinyl?

assuming your on about the black part of the bumper.

 

[Knuckles]

Looks like you need new plastics... Although, you could take them to a body shop, have the dents smoothed and then have it colour coded to your car

 

[M26]

You can pick up some bumper strips for cheap on here or ebay. Shouldn't cost too much to fix.

 

[-Danman-]

Ouch.

Doesn't look like you did put it in reverse as the snow patterns left suggest the wheels were rotating as it moved toward the wall...

Hmm that's true, if I put it in first would the wheels still move forward or do they lock? Pretty sure I put it in gear.

 

[DanEdser]

an excuse to get it all colour coded/sprayed satin black IMO

 

[DanEdser]

Put the handbrake on and put it in reverse, then I got out and shut the door.

surely if you selected reverse, then got out, you would have had to have taken your foot off the clutch and it stalled :S

 

[-Danman-]

Thanks for the replies people. I did think about new plastics, it would be cheaper than colour coding them I think.

Im assuming there's no real way to treat the same ones that are on the car then?

 

[M26]

surely if you selected reverse, then got out, you would have had to have taken your foot off the clutch and it stalled :S

Oh dear.

 

[-Danman-]

an excuse to get it all colour coded/sprayed satin black IMO

surely if you selected reverse, then got out, you would have had to have taken your foot off the clutch and it stalled :S

I think if I were to have it sprayed, I'd get it colour coded. But that means I'd have to spray the rear bumper too to match.
And no I meant I put it in gear after I turned off the engine

At least I thought I did :S

 

[Addicted]

surely if you selected reverse, then got out, you would have had to have taken your foot off the clutch and it stalled :S

He Parked, so assume the engine is off (he parks on a hill so leaves it in gear as to not roll forwards).

 

[Rob]

You can normally pick them up cheap as chips, so don't worry.

Either get them sprayed (have all of them colour coded) or contact Renparts or go to a local breakers and take them off another car. It'll cost peanuts.

 

[-Danman-]

Might have to get a few quotes from body shops then. Funnily enough I'm currently getting some "work experience" from a local one on my days off. (Hope to get an apprenticeship/job doing this)

But if I do get it cc’d, then maybe a 172 rear could be on the cards

If it's too expensive I'll put up a wanted add for the plastics.

 

[Kchristmas]

You can get brand new ones for less than 20 squid on eBay

 

[bmh.01]

Reverse will turn the engine backwards in that situation, put it in first. Either way though, if it were in gear it should have locked.

 

[-Danman-]

I always thought you put it in reverse when facing down hill and in 1st when you're facing uphill? Does it not matter then?

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

FLOL

Putting it in gear means that you're reliant on the piston compression stopping the system turning. Does not matter if it's a forward or backwards gear.

Good lord.

 

[DanEdser]

ignore me - thought you were leaving your drive, not just come back lol

 

[MG cup]

Reverse will turn the engine backwards in that situation, put it in first. Either way though, if it were in gear it should have locked.

Sorry BMH but I couldn't not post to that comment.

"Turn the engine backwards" Really? Must be the worlds first bi directional engine if so. There's an idler gear in in g/box that changes the driveshaft rotation from forward to backwards. Engine's are always one direction.

P.s 5th or 6th gear are best to park in as they have less purchase/torque to turn an engine.

 

[-Danman-]

I just went with what I was told. Had no idea tbh.


And thanks for the 5th/6th gear tip. I'll remember that in future.

 

[McGherkin]

P.s 5th or 6th gear are best to park in as they have less purchase/torque to turn an engine.

Completely wrong. Coast in 5th, then coast in 1st. Which exerts the most drag?

 

[-Danman-]

Sorry BMH but I couldn't not post to that comment.

P.s 5th or 6th gear are best to park in as they have less purchase/torque to turn an engine.

Completely wrong. Coast in 5th, then coast in 1st. Which exerts the most drag?

See this is what I mean, get told different things by different people all the time lol.

 

[DanEdser]

the lowest gear ratio will hold the car the best, so reverse or 1st. In 5th, its not holding as much. AFAIK

Just leave it in 1st and you'll be fine

My dad leaves his car in 1st as the handbrake isnt that great and he parks on a steep drive, never had any problems.

 

[-Danman-]

the lowest gear ratio will hold the car the best, so reverse or 1st. In 5th, its not holding as much.

Just leave it in 1st and you'll be fine

My dad leaves his car in 1st as the handbrake isnt that great and he parks on a steep drive, never had any problems.

Cheers matey

 

[MG cup]

I stand corrected about the gear choice lads :sleepy: busy day. Engines don't turn two ways though.

 

[Scott™]

Lol unlucky!

 

[Mackerfly]

Have you tried heating the pastic up gently with a hair dryer or heatgun, worth a try before spending any money?

 

[-Danman-]

Have you tried heating the pastic up gently with a hair dryer or heatgun, worth a try before spending any money?

Did think of that but it might loose the textured feel and look even more out of place. Suppose I could always try and if not, go to plan b