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What Will Deteriorate Asphalt?

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91stang302

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm not sure where I should post this so I put it here since it relates to my SVT. My condo complex just replaced the speed humps with speed bumps and now neither of my cars will make it over without scraping horribly.

I went to the board meeting:thumbdown and there were a bunch of residents with the same problem. There was a heated debate but it looks as if the board is not going to change anything (of course because it does not affect their cars:mad: ).

So my question is does anyone know what would deteriorate asphalt quickly? A few of us talked about it after the meeting and we are going to try paint thinner or gasoline.

Any suggestions at all? Please help. Thanks.
 
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#3 ·
Transmission fluid overnight will soften it enough to scoop out or shape as you please. The only problem is it's permanently soft as far as I know. You could try kitty littering it out when you're done. :lol:
 
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#4 ·
My brother is a geotechnical lab manager & creates half the asphalt mix designs for CalTrans - Let me put a call in to him (he's on the road today) and see what he suggests. I'm sure he'll have a trick or two up his sleeve.

On a side note, is your SVT at stock height? The HOA needs to comply with the standards for speed bump height for whatever municipality/city/county/state you are in, or they can be held liable for any damage it causes to your car.

Let me see what I can find out....
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Sounds good I'm def gonna try one if not all of these ideas. The SVT Focus is stock height. I have to go extremely slow for it not to scrape at all. I wouldn't be complaining if it was my fault for scraping because I was going to fast. But sometimes even when I creep over it at a wrong angle it hits a little.

My Mustang is the main concern. It is lowered and the exhaust, transmission, and body are gonna be killed if I am to keep going over it. I just left it at my parents house till something is done.

The board members are all idiots. All the rational people that I spoke to after the meeting that said they were on the board all quit because they were sick of trying to explain things to morons.

Gonna buy myself some nice acreage away people like this...eventually!
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
I like the transmission fluid idea. If that really does work that would be great. I'm not too concerned about it staying soft permanently. For all I care it can go completely flat over night and I would be happy.

Some guy in a stock sunfire said his car scraped, if that gives you a better idea.
 
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#7 ·
OK, here's the info my brother gave me, but it comes with a caveat.....

First, try to work something out with the HOA - it is illegal to modify speed bumps, even on private property. If you get a petition going with the others that are having clearance issues, you can threaten with legal action, and most HOA's won't want to hassle with that - especially if it comes along with reimbursing expensive repairs to damaged cars.

If all else fails - you can buy a gallon of WD-40 at Home Depot, etc (around $15). WD-40 will eat through asphalt like nothing else. If the speed bumps are painted, then forget it, it won't work. Also, you would want to apply the WD-40 after the speed bump has been in the sun for awhile - this will yield the best results - one gallon should give you enough to dig out the middle of the bump to alleviate the scraping.

Again, this is not my recommendation - I highly suggest working out something with the HOA first.

Good luck....
 
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Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
Sounds great. We are gonna try to work something out first of course. Just like any form of government, the rational people are the ones with very little power. So if something doesn't come of it we are gonna do the WD 40.

I understand that you are not condoning this but I definitely appreciate the info. Thanks.
 
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#9 ·
Don't do the tranny fluid option - this will just create a huge mess and piss off everyone that drives over it - another reason not to do it is because you probably enjoy your paint job on your cars!!! My brother said DO NOT put tranny fluid on there. He's been a asphast/concrete/soils expert for 20 years - heed his advice.
 
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#11 ·
LOL it absolutely does create a mess... which is why I said it's permanent. :lol: But it certainly will soften up asphalt.
 
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#12 ·
I say get your car high centered on it. Then stay buy it and say you have a towtruck coming to pull you off. Maybe then they will get the idea that it's to tall. Best yet get 2 cars stuck on it.

On a side note I am hopping this doesn't happen at my Condo complex either. They have been tossing the idea arond for a few years. Good luck.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 · (Edited)
I just wish there was some way of getting back at them without doing something illegal. I'm gonna measure them just to see if they did go over.

Anybody know any rules about this kinda stuff. I'm in VA if that makes any difference in the laws.
 
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#17 ·
You would think the HOA needs to be a little more fair about this...they are not the only only living there and it can not be all about them..I would get a lawyer friend to help out if need be. To try taking car of speed bumps on your own would only cause more drama than one needs to deal with in the end.
 
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#18 ·
Yeah, I agree with the majority.

I also own a condo and have to deal with the HOA. I would get together with the rest of the people that are not happy and contest this. Don't threaten court, but let them know you are willing to go that far if need be.

The biggest problem with the HOA boards is that they're a PITA to be on, and the good people get tired of it and resign, leaving the weenies in charge.

Our current HOA Prez is about as useful as **** on a boar. :dunno:
 
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Dukman
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