Well a few of you guys know that my car was keyed recently. It happend on the only day this semester I have driven my car so I have a really good idea who did it so I wont get into that. I have picked up some winter and some rain gear since I know have made my bike my daily driver so I can let the STR be more for just nice days cruising around. Plus I just dont like driving it to school and because of this insident I wont ever drive it there again. Luckily living in NC allows me the luxury to do that. If it snows school gets cancelled so I dont have to worry about that. Because I dont drive it that much and with my insane schedule this semester thats why I have only been on the forums here and there. So anyways I'm still around and will try and get on more now that this semester is trickling down and next semester shouldnt be so bad.

Now on to the pics. Since my hood was keyed I first tried to touch up and wet sand out the mark which failed bad. My paint was really thin because in about 5 back and forths with lots of water and 1000 grit paper I broke through the clear and about another 2 back and forths I hit primer. So knew I was gonna have to get it repainted. I decided since they were gonna do that I'd get the front bumper done and fill in the holes from the front plate. So here are the pics. (Warning these pics show an injured STR and may not be suitiable for certain people).
Here is a closeup of the keyed hood.



Here is after the wet sand attempt:



My front bumper has some really bad curb rash from the previous owner and a crack and a gash from road debris. I had all of it redone and repainted.





Here is the front plate removed. Cant believe they need 7 holes to mount the thing.

 

ouch

 

Alright and now here is after the repaint. What a difference looks like a new car.
Hood where key was.




Here is the bumper where the plate hole were.


Here is the bottom of the bumper.







Where the gash was.


Whole front.






Gonna try and do a full detail and get her all nice and cleaned up this weekend if it doesnt rain then it will be photo time. Gotta thank the body shop that did the work had awesome reviews online and did a stellar job.

 

much better!

 

The only bad thing is now that I dont have a front plate I really want the mina grills to match the other one. Looks like I'll be making a call to them this week. This is now my daily driver. Just as fun as the STR but way more fun in the twisties. Been doing alot to this too. Rebuilt forks, bar end mirrors, wrapped exhaust, tail chop, and belt guard removed.

 

thats a nice combo , thats my the favourite bike
gud job on the bumper , i work at body shop and that is gud job and paint match

cheers

 

Looks great Chris! Mucho bettero without the license plate!!!!

 

The car and bike are both looking good Chris.

 

I need to do that same thing to my front bumper cover. I have a split on the lower left and curb rash on the lower right. It must be something about these cars ...

We have to have front plates here so I'm stuck with that one ...

So they were able to mend the split?

Do you have any idea what doing just the bumper would cost?

 

Wow Vance, what a mess in those first few pics!!

You say you know who did it.....Why in hell, and what retribution if/ any have you got planned?
I have to be honest, that would really keep me awake nights if it were me

On a brighter note, the refinish looks great and your car, stunning......I'm sure you feel so much better.

Looking forward to the fully detailed pics.....

 

Looks great, I've been thinking of doing the same, and ironically getting the grill, too...After the transmission fluid change...Sigh...Why isn't this car more wealth building friendly?

 

Chris, we felt your pain from the key job. You pulled through it all and she looks more beautiful than ever. Hope you don't take this bad...If she was mine I would have color matched wheels. IMO, chrome wheels doesn't go with this machine. Otherwise, find that key fella and shove it up his ****.

 

That's a great looking ride there. Good job on the repairs. You can tell you love your car. I'm hate you had to do the repairs, but I'm glad you shared them with us. Love your bumper all cleaned up. I wish I didn't have the license plate on mine. I'm in NC also.

 

Great-looking STR repairs, Chris. Who did the work?

 

PPFFFTT

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll try to answer all the questions.

The split was a small crack on the lower passenger side. They reinforced it then just sanded and filled the crack. Cant even tell it was there. The whole job was 1000 and that was with a cash discount since I didnt go through insurance since they would of only paid for the hood. The hood would of cost 5-600 so the front bumper was about 4-500 since I did them together. If I would of only had the bumper done might of been more only cause they had to fill those holes and the crack so I'd say just the front bumper would of been 5-600. I probably could of gotten this done cheaper if I shopped around but to me it was more about quality and reviews over how cheap I could of gotten it done. I had budgetted it out at 1000 and they came in right at that number so I was happy.

It happend at school and the person I am sure did it doesnt know where I live so if I never take it to school again I shouldnt have a problem of a repeat. The reason I havent done anything is I was trying to be the mature and civil one and get proof to prosecute so I could have them fix it out of their pocket but I have no proof just really good suspicion. I've became friends with security talking with them about this. There was no cameras facing towards where it was parked. There camera system is more concentrated on the building then the lot so without anyone actually seeing them do it I really have no grounds to even persue it. I will let karma sort them out and be the bigger person. I know just from circumstances being perfect for the only person who knows I have an STR that would want to do it harm seeing me there and having the chance and the mentality to do it.

The key suspect is actually a she fella. LOL. I would love to get some black Vulcans but since they are chrome plated already I'm just leaving them and it really does look good in person. If I ever come across some used Vulcan painted for cheap I would like to pick them up and them powdercoated so I can get a black set.


Thanks Jon. It was Apex Auto body. Darin is the owner and they have really great reviews online. They are really off the road too so I think they only get business through referells and online reviews. Took me a while to even find there building just going for a quote.

Dang with you in Charlotte and Rick right across the state border we may have to try and get a NC S type meet going.


Time to call Mina and order the grill.

 

Ironically Rick, I'm agreeing with you. Meds!...anyone?

 

Vance580, The key-er was a "She"? Was it you know who? If yes, may her t&^s burn in hell!

 

Yes I believe it was you know who. I found out she lives right across from my school and she comes home from work at the same time I went to school that day so she could of easily saw me and came in about 10 minutes later when no one was walking around cause of the downpouring rain and quickly did it and left. Karma will get her.

 

Here's what you need for your front plate...

http://www.ninosport.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=altec