Front air dam vs Sandjill Crane

While driving about 60 MPH last night, a Sandhill Crane decided to take to flight from the side of the road… directly into the lower front of my Explorer.

He hit the air dam and broke the fiberglass right in the center. I am amazed that there was not more damage to the fiberglass. I am further amazed that the bird got up and took to flight.

When closely examining the air dam, I also noticed some damage to the paint and minor chipping due to “junkâ€￾ from the highway.

Any repair advice is welcomed.

Thanks ………

 

[2000Sportdriver]

that is not terrible Al,
a skim coat of body filler whould do the trick.
Check out MONMIX's thread Body Work 101

 

[MONMIX]

thanks for the assist 2000

 

[aldive]

thanks for the assist 2000

Monmix, what would you suggest that I do to make the repair?

 

[MONMIX]

to make life easy remove the bumper and set it up on a trash can or something.

It looks like the crack is very shallow. If that is the case just 180 grit sand about one inch in each direction. Press on a thin coat of Evercoat Skim coat.
Sand it smooth.
It may take two or three coats.
Prime.
Paint.

 

[aldive]

The crack is actually all the way through the air dam. Is your procedure still recommended or should I put something on the back side?

Where do I set the sjim coat product?

Thanks ....

 

[MONMIX]

Evercoat Skim Coat ( also called Metal Galze ) can be found at any auto body supply shop.
Check your yellow pages.
There is a picture on my body work 101 thread.
If ya have some rigid two part epoxy I would spread some of that on the back side.
There is no need to really fiberglass repair that since it all seems tight together and not a lot of flaking.

 

[aldive]

Thank you, I really appreciate your knowledge in these matters.

 

[MONMIX]

you are most welcome Al.

 

[aldive]

Body repair man I am not.

However, I have spent the last couple hours completeing the rapair to my air dam. I followed Monmix's instructions.

Turned out better than I expected. I shall paint it tomorrow and try to get a picture posted.

 

[MONMIX]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Al !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ShinySideDown]

there's always certifit though, right Monmix?

 

[MONMIX]

MODERATOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ShineySideDown is using potty mouth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Crankcase]

Lol!

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Remember Al, those EE airedams are priceless now. No longer in production. So whatever you have to do to save it, do it man. LOL.

 

[aldive]

Remember Al, those EE airedams are priceless now. No longer in production. So whatever you have to do to save it, do it man. LOL.

So true, Ronnie.

I decided to postpone the paint until I fix all tyhe road dings on the leading edge of the air dam. There is a lot of little areas to repair.

 

[aldive]

Here are a couple shots of the repair ....

 

[aldive]

... and a couple of shots after the painting. Note: the bird broken lights have been removed.

 

[j602]

Looks good, Al. Nice job.

 

[ShinySideDown]

MODERATOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ShineySideDown is using potty mouth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO !!!

actually, we just fixed a 2001 civic with their stuff, and it was thicker steel than the factory!


Repair Looks Good Al!!!