Dent: contractor dropped a board

[DMT]

The contractor working on my house dropped a board on the right rear end cap, leaving a creased dent. Size is about 8" long by 1" deep. There doesn't appear to be anything I can do to completely repair this due to the crease so I plan to leave of as is. Maybe I will take it to Jackson Center in the future and have the panel replaced, if it still bothers me in the future.

The issue at the moment is the damage to the clear coat. The board hit side on and scraped an 8" square patch of clear coat off. I live close to the ocean so corrosion is a major concern.

Are there any products I can use to restore the clear coat? I have the pen sized clear coat repair from Airstream, but this area is too large.

[perryg114]

You could try some car clear coat in a spray can. Does the contractor have insurance?

Perry

[Wayne&Sam]

No insurance from the contractor?

[Jim Clark]

Picture please.

insurance?

Have it fixed.

Clean area, Spray with automotive clear coat.

[DMT]

Insurance (money) is not the problem. I'm 2000 miles from the closest Airstream dealer, so there is nobody close I would trust to fix it.

I'll post photos when I get home.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Can you see it from the ground?

Not cheep but it looks like it would work.

May be worthwhile to have on hand for any future filiform concerns.

I just may have to order some for myself....add to my stock of filiform sealers.
I just did....

Bob

[perryg114]

THere is also the possibility of a decorative patch or custom emblem to cover the damaged area. It is the same idea of putting up a painting over a hole in the wall.

Perry

[DMT]

Some pics.

[perryg114]

That is a pretty good sized dent. There is also a possibility that your home owners insurance might pay for it. Do you have insurance on the trailer? That dent could be pushed out from the inside and be less noticable but you are always going to have a dent there. Since it is an almost new trailer, it might be worth having it fixed.

Perry

[ROBERT CROSS]

Those scratches look deep, I would clean them well.
Try varying grades of wet sandpaper,600-1500 grit, start on small areas first. Get smooth as possible, clean with mineral spirits and seal with brush-on clear.

You may be able to pull the dent out some with a suction puller.

Good Luck....

Bob

[Phoenix]

Licensed contractors have insurance for this type of thing. You sound like you are trying to be nice and don't want to bother them. However, I'd file a claim.

It would be fine if you caused the dent and could live with it. However, your Airstream is almost new; and this wasn't your fault. You shouldn't have to worry about this, or pay to have it fixed.

If you contractor is reputable, they will make this right. Accidents happen, and it's just part of the job. That's why they have insurance.

[warbler5]

Yup....your contractor needs to pay to have that fixed! I had a similar crease, presumably from kids playing football in a campground we were camped in. Of course, we didn't see it happen and didn't notice it until we got home. So, we hit up our own insurance to get ours fixed....it was NOT cheap, but we just had to pay the deductible. Trust me, if you don't get it fixed, your eye will be drawn to it every time you use your trailer! Accidents are accidents....and, that is why we are insured....hopefully, your contractor is also insured!

Plan a trip and include the Airstream Dealer as part of your trip plan! Make sure it is well-planned, so that all the parts are there when you arrive.

[polarlyse]

Nice dent. If you have any plans that bring you south there's a good shop in New York. If you look at a map it is very close to where I 84 meets I 684 or try google maps for Holmes, NY. Our trailer is at his shop now having a couple of panels replaced from damage while traveling back in March. It would take any shop several weeks to get the new panel plus the hours required to replace. I don't see any other type of repair doing a satisfactory job on a trailer as new as yours. Whether you cover it or insurance or the contractor my recommendation is to have it done correctly.

If you do come down maybe you could bring some lobsters with you ???? I'll bring the beer.

[BAB]

There is no earthly way you want to live with that dent. Especially for such a new model. We have insurance for a reason....and for sure the contractor must have a policy that will cover this. Given your circumstances, I'd turn the repair into a fun trip to JC...they are set up to do this and make it new again.

[ventport]

Make the contractor pay. When you finally go to sell or trade in your AS think of how much money that dent will cost you then!

[DMT]

Ha! Lobsters......now that's something we have in spades. Fixing dents up here, well that is a bit harder. Thank you for the comments and kind thoughts.

The contractor is not admitting to doing this, I know it wasn't me, and as his guys set up to paint (without my permission) trim boards next to the old girl. If it wasn't them the who I asked? Space aliens? And how did the white paint get there? In the face of that he's taking the fifth and he's not even a US resident.

So I think either we come to some agreement or the hold back on the job may be held back for a very long time.

I like my trailer and I will get this dent removed, probably at JC. There's a road trip in my future.

[Jim Flower]

I have had several dents repaired on both rear quarter panels. Couldn't find anybody to blame it on. I now never ever back up with out a spotter. Easy fix. $1700 to $2000. 2 days tied up. Part is normally stock at JC. Make a nice holiday out of it. Can Am fixed mine and did a great job. It just depends on where you want to hang around. Good luck. Jim

[polarlyse]

We are having 3 panels replaced as I type. Knucklehead in Louisiana opened his door and snagged my awning post. Put a big dent in the rear corner just past the rear awning post and pushed the rear and dented the opposite corner too. Lower panels not the top like yours. Covered by my insurance and hopefully they will collect from the careless partys insurance. Cost is more than I had expected but I guess the labor is there and these curved panels are costly too. Hope to be getting back soon. Beginning to get the travel bug.

Good luck with your repair however you decide to go.

[kevin242]

It's in his best interest to come clean about the incident. Court and the Better Business Bureau looking over his shoulder are not pleasant alternatives.

Good luck with your repairs.

[cwf]

Get it fixed properly!