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Vans RV Discussion >> RV Related Discussion >> 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
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Message started by johnl on 12.06.2011 at 15:22:13

Title: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by johnl on 12.06.2011 at 15:22:13

I dropped the right wheel of the RV9a into a hole for created for apron repairs, the result was damage to the front half of the right wheel fairing.
I suffered multiple cracks and a 4" square chunk out the front half, the rear half was untouched.

Would I be able to

A- Source a new front half of the fairing in the UK.

or

B - Is anyone aware of a good repair shop that could make a repair preferably in the Midland area.

The group Meister is on Holiday and to try to assuage my guilt I would like to try to get things sorted as soon as I can.

Title: Re: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by Mark Browning on 12.06.2011 at 20:21:22

Hi John

Why buy a new wheel pant ?
It would be much cheaper and quicker to repair your existing one.
All you need is west system epoxy resin and fibreglass cloth and a bit of micro balloon filler.

Any local builder should be able to give you some tips for working with glass.
Its relatively simple and no specialist tooling required.

Title: Re: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by Mike Newall on 13.06.2011 at 00:47:23

Oh - Yes - we know about spat damage :-[

Thanks Sherburn !

Seriously, repairs are easy enough. Email me and I will send you snaps of the comprehensive repairs we have had to do due stone and pothole damage recently.

Mike

Title: Re: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by johnl on 13.06.2011 at 11:40:21

Thanks for the advice

I'm happy to have a go, however I have never worked with glass and am being left to sort it out

I would be interested any good sources for info for this type of repair.

John

Title: Re: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by Mark Browning on 13.06.2011 at 12:46:29

hi John
Send me your e-mail address to mbrowning@mazdaeur.com
I have a word document with step by step instructions and photos. I used this when i started glassing for the first time and got great results.

You will need to order some west system epoxy and the pumps that measure the exact amount of resin and hardener. This will cost you arroximatley £45
Get the cloth from Aircraft spruce ( dont use matting that is supplied by car shops.) Also get some Micro balloon filler. Both of theses are available from spruce.
Let me know if dont know which cloth to order and i will send you the part numbers.

Title: Re: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by Dave Boxall on 22.06.2011 at 11:18:15

You could look to see if you have a glider repair place nearby (or even mail them the spat). its a fairly small job so they'd probably be able to fit it in - especially for folding money!

Dave

Title: Re: 9a wheel spat replacement/repair
Post by johnl on 24.06.2011 at 09:06:46

Thanks for all the advice. After looking at state of the spat again it looked worse than I remembered.

I had it repaired for cash by a fibre specialist, he did the job quickly and it seems like a reasonable job.

Were I to have done a poor job I don't think I would have been too popular with the group.

It a shame I didn't learn a new skill though.