How much can GRP take???

[WildfireS3]

Just wondering how much of an impact GRP can take before it splits/splinter etc.

Anybody got any experiences?

[Marlon]

Why, you planning to crash it?

[TT Tim]

You planning on shagging a fat bird on the bonnet or something?

Tim

[dannyboyo]

Not alot really! See here!!!!

I was doing less that 5 mph and just clipped a concrete piller!!

[satman]

GRP can take upto about a 4.5 mph impact against a rubber pillar.......


only joking mate!...ouch that looks expensive!

[raceboy]

I think it depends which way you hit it, I was ramed down the side at about 30mph in a TV/Film car chase style and the other car was dinted but the GRP just bounced back and just required a bit of polish and a small touch up

[WildfireS3]

Marlon said:

Why, you planning to crash it?

Nope. Just wondering.

TT Tim said:

You planning on shagging a fat bird on the bonnet or something? Tim

Are you calling the gf fat?? She'll have your guts for garters!!

No I was just wondering really incase some numpty decides to clip itin the supermarket or somthing as I drive it every day. Had a low speed impact on my mini, which I didn't see. Left a big dent on my car and probably not much on whoever who did it's bumper.

[lazyitus]

WildfireS3 said:

Are you calling the gf fat?? She'll have your guts for garters!!

Are his guts big enough for that?

[WildfireS3]

Oooooooo..... just you wait! It'll be double death. Good thing she doesn't frequent PH!!!

[lazyitus]

WildfireS3 said:

Oooooooo..... just you wait! It'll be double death. Good thing she doesn't frequent PH!!!

[WildfireS3]

But no seriously what sort of speeds will the GRP splinter if bumped by another car?

[shpub]

WildfireS3 said:

But no seriously what sort of speeds will the GRP splinter if bumped by another car?

All depends on what the contact area is etc. Having a Freelander reverse into the 520 at a few MPH and punch its exhaust pipe through the front headlamp cluster did more bodywork damage than hitting a tyre wall at Goodwood at around 70mph sideways...

[bridgdav]

Depends upon

Point of impact
Sharpness of Thing making impact
Impact Speed
Impact Angle
Flexibility of one or both things at point of impact
Inertia of Thing making impact
Friction.....

Too many others to mention.....

[Bonce]

Probably depends on the shape of the GRP panel being hit, and the shape, angle and mass of the thing that hits it. So a small child hitting it at 10mph would probably bounce off the wing without causing damage whereas a JCB at 1mph would ruin your day.

[WildfireS3]

Ah, ok, Just trying to asses the risk of Numpty damage and how much it could cost me.

[Bonce]

It will ALWAYS cost you a lot more than it will cost them. So be on your guard!

[p7ulg]

WildfireS3 said:

Ah, ok, Just trying to asses the risk of Numpty damage and how much it could cost me.

Do you not think you are being a bit pessimistic ? i.e worry about such things IF and when they happen.

[M@H]

WildfireS3 said:

Ah, ok, Just trying to asses the risk of Numpty damage and how much it could cost me.

Enough that you can't leave the car in a public carpark without a persistant worry about what you'll find when you return...


Matt.

[WildfireS3]

It is part of "The Fear". I posted a thread about it a few months ago.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=55626&f=23&h=0&hw=The+Fear

>> Edited by WildfireS3 on Tuesday 25th November 17:12

[donatien]

I would say a fair bit, but as others have commented it depends where, with what, etc.

I had a shunt in the Griff this summer. Went in to the back of someone who pulled out blindly in front of me at 50mph. Shed most of the speed prior to impact but hit with what seemed like a very solid thump, though I'm guessing it was less than 10 mph in the end. All the impact went to passengers side.

. Damage was actually superficial - the GRP took it all

. Headlight cluster shoved back, lights still worked though doubt they were correctly aligned. Headlight cover not even cracked.

. GRP cracked around lights, though "crazing" evident over much larger area.

. Large amount of pikey VW Polo rubber bumper compound all over.

Once cleaned up a bit it was reasonably presentable and perfectly driveable, albeit the lights probably not pointing straight. Took me 2 months to get it done on insurance - other party paid of course. I think the whole bill for re-fibreglassing front wing, repainting (pearlescent) and finishing was over 2K.