... and just like that.

[Luna X]

I hope this doesn't mean life with the VX will be this diificult... but in only the 3-4th day driving her, my wife got clipped by some a**hat. I mean really, the guy wouldn't even stop... must have been a non-insured you know what...(We do live in the Phoenix area afterall)

My wife did get a little whiplash, but she is alright overall, just pissed off!

The bad part is, since we purchased it. I realigned the whole front body, installed new air filter, and installed a Curt receiver hitch. I also threw on some seat covers (just for the summer months... it's 114 today)

Now, I have the great "pleasure" of tryin' to track down...
* rear bumper cover
* drivers' side rear cladding
* rear side marker light housing

All in all, things could have been worse, but if anyone knows where I could get these parts... before I have to call Merlin @ StCharles... I would very much appreciate it.......... thanks everyone!http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1000039_edited-1.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18302)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1000041.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18303)

[Mile High VX]

Drives side cladding...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=18275

Marker lights aren't too bad from Merlin...about $45 or so. Clipped mine the second week I had her on the edge of my garage.

Rear bumper cover will be your toughest find...haven't seen one used but there is an aftermarket company that makes this.

Sorry to hear of your issue and glad that your wife is okay.

[johnnyapollo]

There were still some rear bumper covers at Isuzu's warehouse the last time I checked - will run you about $320 through Merlin...

-- Johh

[Ldub]

Aww Man...that's rough...:(

Dunno if you're as much of a clod hopper as me, but if you're not married to OEM, these (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/closertowholesale/Items/2-38094-grommet?&caSKU=2-38094-grommet&caTitle=Red%20Oval%2060%20LED%20Truck%20RV%20Trail er%20Stop%20Turn%20Tail%20Lights) did the trick for me.

Much lower profile than OEM, wired to flash with the turn signals...:thumbup:

Only down side, you have to cut the stock openings bigger, meaning you can't go back to OEM without the additional cost of new cladding.

Just an option, two for the price of one OEM...:yesgray:

[Luna X]

thanks for all the info so far....

Ldub-- are you having fun with your new toy?... (hyperlinks)

I do like the idea of the flush-mounted look, and wired to flash... I just might consider those

[Ldub]

Ldub-- are you having fun with your new toy?... (hyperlinks)

:mbrasd:...:yesgray:

[ZEUS]

Well that just sucks. Sorry to hear of your misfortune. But yeah, I hear ya, I really hate those non-insured politicians too...

[Triathlete]

Seems to be a lot of those around. A few years back I had a little car pull in front of me as I approached a light...light turned yellow, he slammed on his brakes, I rearended him....he fled the scene.:(
The bad part was it was 3 weeks before I was to leave for Moab...didn't make it that year.:mado:

[tomdietrying]

(We do live in the Phoenix area afterall)


Hmmmmm.....the only bad thing I've ever heard about Phoenix or Arizona, for that fact, are the crazy politicians.

Hope your wife is feeling better.

Peace.
Tom

[tomdietrying]

I mean really, the guy wouldn't even stop... must have been a non-insured you know what...(We do live in the Phoenix area afterall)


Hmmmmm.....the only bad thing I've ever heard about Phoenix or Arizona, for that fact, are the crazy politicians.

Hope your wife is feeling better.

Peace.
Tom

[Triathlete]

Hmmmmm.....the only bad thing I've ever heard about Phoenix or Arizona, for that fact, are the crazy politicians.

Na, they are just misunderstood....but like everything else, I am sure there is a pill for it!:bwgy:

[Luna X]

I really don't think there is a cure for the crazies........................................

[Ldub]

thanks for all the info so far....

Ldub-- are you having fun with your new toy?... (hyperlinks)

I do like the idea of the flush-mounted look, and wired to flash... I just might consider those

Did I mention, they also come in clear (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/closertowholesale/Items/2-38093-grommet?&caSKU=2-38093-grommet&caTitle=Red%20Oval%2060%20LED%20Truck%20RV%20Trail er%20Stop%20Turn%20Tail%20Lights) ? ...:naughty:

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/13000126/images/4/38093.jpg

[Luna X]

Did I mention, they also come in clear (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/closertowholesale/Items/2-38093-grommet?&caSKU=2-38093-grommet&caTitle=Red%20Oval%2060%20LED%20Truck%20RV%20Trail er%20Stop%20Turn%20Tail%20Lights) ? ...:naughty:

http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/13000126/images/4/38093.jpg

Do you have any pics of your VX with them?

I'd have to see it to believe it.... :_thinking

[Ldub]

They didn't have the clearz when I got mine.

The ones I found on eBay are the same shape/size/profile w/smoked lenses.
I also added a clear layer of protective film over the lens.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC043551.JPG

[Luna X]

Thanks for the pic, Ldub. They do look good. I eventually plan on tinting ALL of my lights to match the cladding.

Well, I'm gonna go to the garage and take the rear cover off... hopefully the damage doesn't go any deeper than just the cosmetics.... just because I CAN fix any bodywork needed doesn't mean I WANT to... better cross my fingers!

[Luna X]

While I have people's attention....

Is there anything that goes on the front bumper to clean up the appearance if you are not running a front plate?

If so, I would love to find a used one before calling Merlin and paying Isuzu dealer prices...

[VX KAT]

While I have people's attention....

Is there anything that goes on the front bumper to clean up the appearance if you are not running a front plate?

If so, I would love to find a used one before calling Merlin and paying Isuzu dealer prices...

It's called the license plate delete, and I think I paid $40 from Merlin. Didn't somebody say they weren't available any more :_thinking or am I misfiring on that recall? Also remember one member saying they found it under the seat, brand new (and didn't know what it was)...guess it's worth a look.

[vt_maverick]

If you don't find it under the seat, check in the bottle jack compartment. I bought myself a set of rail caps last year thinking the previous owner must have ditched them, then found my original set stuffed back behind the jack. My VX came with the roof rack from the dealership so I had always assumed that they kept them - instead I had a set of rail caps that probably had never seen the light of day! (T/J - Yes Sue, that means I actually owned 3 complete sets at one time.)

Maybe you'll get lucky and find the delete plate there...

[Luna X]

now I'm gettin frustrated.....

Just bought a shiny new camera that takes great pics. Problem is... maybe too good. Even though I have Adobe Photoshop, I can't figure out how to downgrade the resolution so they will be accepted to the site.

I would like to share pics with the rest of the class.... but I dunno how

[vt_maverick]

IIRC, you can resize the image proportionally in Photoshop by entering a percentage. The program uses pixel sampling to reduce the image size while retaining a relatively high degree of detail, so that the file itself shrinks with no appreciable degradation in image quality. Can't remember what menu you find that under.

Or if you're like me or Dub you can open the image in Microsoft Paint and choose "Stretch/Skew" from the Image menu, enter 50% (or whatever you need) and resave the image.

[Moncha]

Also, a very simple photo viewing and resampling tool is IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com) It simplifies just about anything you would like to do to a photo and is very easy to learn. Best thing is, you can move the program to a thumbdrive and carry it with you.

[Luna X]

thanks ev'rybody... makin' me think and all

now I hafta put my lernin' cap on

[Ldub]

Or if you're like me or Dub you can open the image in Microsoft Paint and choose "Stretch/Skew" from the Image menu, enter 50% (or whatever you need) and resave the image.

Nope...ya can't hang that one on me...:smilewink

I might use "ol paint" for a variety of reasons, but the boss showed me the way with irfanview a few years ago, & I've been using it for the majority of my resizing/sharpening/red eye reduction ever since...:yesgray:

Some of the bestus easiest to use image freeware out there.

Since James (crothchrocket) turned me on to photoscapes, I've been playing with that too.

[VX KAT]

OK, pleeeeeze, :mbrasd::mbrasd:
will sumbody pleeeeze tell me how to mark on pics like the colored hand drawn lines you all do sometimes??? (like to circle or point to a part in a pic etc...)....:_thinking
:flower::flower::flower:

[Luna X]

m'k.... head... hurt.. now

But me thinks I figured out the picture downsizing thing..... sheesh!

[Ldub]

OK, pleeeeeze, :mbrasd::mbrasd:
will sumbody pleeeeze tell me how to mark on pics like the colored hand drawn lines you all do sometimes??? (like to circle or point to a part in a pic etc...)....:_thinking
:flower::flower::flower:

Sorry Sister Suzee...yer one of them upper crust Mac types...:laughing:

You needs Windows "paint" to unleash the full awesomness of your creative side...:yesgray:

Doesn't your Mac come with anything good?...:rotate:

[Ldub]

m'k.... head... hurt.. now

But me thinks I figured out the picture downsizing thing..... sheesh!

You aparently done figgered sumpin out, cuz I see four pics in your gallery, & they're all the same size...:thumbup:

[Ldub]

OK, pleeeeeze, :mbrasd::mbrasd:
will sumbody pleeeeze tell me how to mark on pics like the colored hand drawn lines you all do sometimes??? (like to circle or point to a part in a pic etc...)....:_thinking
:flower::flower::flower:

Sorry Luna, a bit OT I know...:flower:

But when sissy needs some help, I'll always come-a-runnin'...:yesgray:

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D857340&sa=X&ei=d440TIbTKIWfnQe4goQ6&ved=0CCoQrAIoADAB&usg=AFQjCNHg1OTX2H15tboHc_o5XTUrZIyDMA

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/25050/paintbrush

[Luna X]

s'all good.... I have lots of catchin' up to do with this whole 'puter stuff

[Luna X]

So... I took the rear bumper cover off and started playin' around with the heat gun and various other tools of destruction and got the rear quarter cladding lookin' sweet!

I have the repair work finished on the rear cover and will paint it today... It's a tricky operation to match the raw texture of the molded plastic, so we shall soon see if I remember what I'm doin'... ;)

[Bob Barker]

Did you ever figure out how to post pics of the destruction? Would be cool to see before and after of the cladding and how you did it.

[Luna X]

Believe it or not I did...

As of now, if you look in the recently added pics on the main page, you will see 4 pics I uploaded. (also attached them into my original posting in this thread)

2 of those pics show the damaged rear bumper and cladding.

By the time my paint showed up at the shop yesterday it was too late to paint the bumper AND install.... I'm heading back there today to put everything back together.

I'll post pics and give some explanations on repairing raw cladding later

[Luna X]

I finished the repairs to the rear damage... I estimate I saved at least $600 or more if left at a body shop.
Unfortunately, I didn't take any "during" pics to illustrate how repairs were done... guess I have to keep some trade secrets... :bwgy:
Also tinted the signal lamps and rear reflectors by adding a small amount of graphite black tint directly into some clearcoat. I'll eventually do the taillights and headlights the same way...http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1000041.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18303)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1000063_edited-1.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18313)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P1000052_edited-1.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18310)

[tomdietrying]

Fantastic!

I don't believe it though. You have to show me a little proof besides a before and after pic.:bwgy:

Peace.
Tom

[Luna X]

** after removing rear cover, heat up the whole corner using heat gun from the back side (hair dryer on steroids... do not use on you hair!... :) )

** while hot, I use head of hammer to push out damage.

** now, basic shape is formed. There will be imperfections, but nothin' a skim coat of polyester putty can't handle. Do not use bondo or any other filler... it will not stick and will peel right off.

** sand smooth to prepare for primer.

** once primer is set, here is my creative parts... I use a type of clear texturizer, normally sprayed over a finished paint job to act as a chip guard. A couple light coats of this spray, followed by a couple coats of the bumper color.

** Once dry enough, I lightly wet sand with 600 grit to knock down the texture and flatten it out. It is now ready for the final coats of color. I've found that SEM products work great for plastics.

** finished product sure beats shelling out hundreds of dollars for new parts!

[Luna X]

After well over 20 years of doing autobody paint and repair, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. Even though last few years I"ve had 3 different operations...

** replaced L5,4,3 fusion L2-1
** fusion C4-5
** and just a month and a half ago, I had brain surgery to repair an anyuerism located behind my left eye.
"I ain't dead, yet!"

I would gladly try to answer any body and paint questions people may have.

[Bob Barker]

I will have a ton soon enough. I'm turning my garage into a paint booth to try out my hand at a hot rod style flat black on an 85 SVO.

[Anita]

After well over 20 years of doing autobody paint and repair, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. Even though last few years I"ve had 3 different operations...

** replaced L5,4,3 fusion L2-1
** fusion C4-5
** and just a month and a half ago, I had brain surgery to repair an anyuerism located behind my left eye.
"I ain't dead, yet!"

I would gladly try to answer any body and paint questions people may have.

My dear, with work like that you'll be in demand to open up a VX cladding hospital..

[Ldub]

I finished the repairs to the rear damage... I estimate I saved at least $600 or more if left at a body shop.
Unfortunately, I didn't take any "during" pics to illustrate how repairs were done... guess I have to keep some trade secrets... :bwgy:
Also tinted the signal lamps and rear reflectors by adding a small amount of graphite black tint directly into some clearcoat. I'll eventually do the taillights and headlights the same way...

Dude...you gots some MAD body & fender skillz...:smack:...:_wrench:...:thumbup:


Nice work!

[Luna X]

I appreciate the nice words..... plus, it feels good to start being productive again.