vandalised

[harrylime]

Well, some ***** has tried to gain entry into my 400. They've had a go at the driver's door with a scewdriver, and then had a more determined effort with the rear door. Nobody else on the street seems to have had any problems, so I can only think that mine was picked out because it's an old car? Revising security now with PIR LED floddlights and maybe a camera. Mainly, I would love five minutes alone with the culprit. (the police may be in touch over the next few days, despite my finding some earphones next to the car, which may have prints or DNA on them)

The pond life got nowhere in trying to getbinto the car, but caused a few chips in the paint. I have some touch in paint, but it's gone a bit thick. Does anyone know whether it's posible to thin this down, to save a trip to the main dealer's?

[normski2]

Sympathies on that ... its bloody annoying. Had my drivers door dinged in a car park at xmas (usual inconsiderate opening by the twerp next to my car) but got a chap out who does paintless repairs. Amazing job ...cant see a crease line or anything. I was flabbergasted how good it was ... you would never know. All done with forming rods and mirrors.

I'd expect Cellulose Thinners would work fine. Try a little mixed into a screw top bottle top or similar. 

See if anything is written on the container you have. If it instructs to clean your brush with Cellulose Thinners then you know that is a solvent of the paint within.

It won't be White Spirit, Meths or Turps Substitute.

[harrylime]

Thanks Normski. I think you're probably right, it smells like cellulose/ two pots came with the car and it seems a shame to waste them. Next problem is buying a small quantity of cellulose thinners

 

Apologies to the moderator for the language. Still fuming

[Scribe]

You were remarkably restrained, in the circumstances.

[runsgrateasanut]

25 minutes ago, harrylime said:

Thanks Normski. I think you're probably right, it smells like cellulose/ two pots came with the car and it seems a shame to waste them. Next problem is buying a small quantity of cellulose thinners

 

Apologies to the moderator for the language. Still fuming

Tippex thinner

[Bluesman]

So sorry to hear of this Hugh. He didn't know too much about Lexus because had he got inside the car I doubt he would ever have got it going. The only other reason for getting in would be to rip out stuff inside the car, god knows what though. Mike.

[Malc]

just reading the Saga Insce blurb and vandalism with fully comprehensive insce does NOT affect one's No Claims Discount etc ...........  just wondered if your insurance cover might be similar if you felt an insurance claim might be a way to go 

 

Malc

[Colin M]

As regards obtaining a small quantity of cellulose thinners, you could try a local body repair shop or a classic car restoration business. They may be willing to sell you a small quantity. Paint factors are unlikely to sell it in quantities of less than 5 litres.

Motor factors may still sell small quantities, although I guess there is much less demand for cellulose thinners now than there used to be, so they may not stock it. it might be worth having a look online to see if Halfords stock any.

Sorry to hear about the damage - very annoying.

[plexus914]

Get some acrylic thinner.

[toffee_pie]

if your car is vandlised would insurance not cover costs? 

 

 

[harrylime]

The damage is not too bad, so I'm not sure if it's worth claiming. I'm thinking about it though. It's on a classic policy so not sure if it would affect my NCB

[Malc]

on my Triumph Southern Cross classic car policy thru Swinton there is NO no claims discount ever earnt ..........  so guess any claim will certainly increase your premium next time around.

 

 

Malc

[harrylime]

I don't have a no claims bonus on my classic car policy, but I can't believe they wouldn't sting me next time around. I would also have to declare it on my standard policy for my other car, and I am pretty sure that would be affected as well, from what I have heard of others' experience with insurance companies. I would not want to get into a situation in which it stops being viable to run another car on a classic policy because of spiralling insurance costs

[Rupert Dubreaux]

Hi Hugh ,sorry to hear about your damage , Wilkinsons/Wilko could be the answer for small amounts of thinners .

http://www.wilko.com/preparation/wilko-cellulose-thinners-125ml/invt/0182560

Good luck with your repair .

[Scribe]

Also, I'm convinced that if you make a claim on your policy, whatever the circumstances, you're more likely to get phone calls from an Indian call centre about 'your accident'.  One of my cars has twice been scraped while parked, and the other party's insurers have coughed up for repairs, but I notified my insurers, even though I wasn't claiming from them, because I thought I was supposed to.  And that's when the phone calls started.  Maybe it's coincidence, but I doubt it.

[Malc]

Scribe, I had exactly the same situation, the other party paid me cash to settle the cost of the damage after I advised insurers about a scrape with my Mazda .....  all settled, no claim but oh my ......  never an Indian Call Centre but at least half a dozen UK well spoken English call centre people over the last year trying to screw someone for " compensation " on my behalf                Its a real pain tbh

Malc

[Bluesman]

2 hours ago, harrylime said:

I don't have a no claims bonus on my classic car policy, but I can't believe they wouldn't sting me next time around. I would also have to declare it on my standard policy for my other car, and I am pretty sure that would be affected as well, from what I have heard of others' experience with insurance companies. I would not want to get into a situation in which it stops being viable to run another car on a classic policy because of spiralling insurance costs

Classic car policy rarely have a NCB attached to the policies. Mike.

[harrylime]

That is true Mike but I would get screwed somehow. Perhaps revised actuarial calculations for the likelihood of vandalism in my postcode. They would not miss the opportunity because that is life nowadays, everyone wants their hands in your pocket

[Scribe]

True.  They'll revise the premium based on your claims history - which amounts to the same thing as losing your NCD.

[Scribe]

Slightly off topic (but sort of related): was it a coincidence that the day after an appointment at Urology I started getting twenty daily spam e-mails about ***** enlargement and Viagra?  You decide...

(By the way, I typed the full word above but it was changed into asterisks.  Obviously no one's allowed to see the word *****.  I hope this won't affect my member's total reputation - no pun intended! )