Help! Fender 'stars'
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Help! Fender 'stars'
Need some input please, I had my 72 redone this spring and in 1500 miles since, I already have three hideous fender 'stars' in the paint.
Some people tell me they are the result on road debris or stones being thrown against the inner fender, but now I have to have the front end reshot in the spring.
Has anyone else gone throught this? Does tire size or tire type effect the problem? I am running new BFG m/s rated tires 235*17. Is it a result of the new softer paints? Can you line the inner fenders to prevent the problem?
Thanks in advance.
Some people tell me they are the result on road debris or stones being thrown against the inner fender, but now I have to have the front end reshot in the spring.
Has anyone else gone throught this? Does tire size or tire type effect the problem? I am running new BFG m/s rated tires 235*17. Is it a result of the new softer paints? Can you line the inner fenders to prevent the problem?
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
My painter suggests that, I am curious if anyone else has had this problem.
I did not have this issue with my old 71 or 75, nor with my 65 and 66.
I did not have this issue with my old 71 or 75, nor with my 65 and 66.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
There isn't a lot of surface area behind the paint that IS exposed to
the wheel well on the other side. Have you convinced yourself that
a rock hitting the wheel well actually COULD cause the cracking ?
That is ... is your "star" protected from inner fender ... or not.
I forget what year started use of factory undercoating on inside of wheel wells.
I thought it was mid-70s.
BTW - love the paint and matching username.
the wheel well on the other side. Have you convinced yourself that
a rock hitting the wheel well actually COULD cause the cracking ?
That is ... is your "star" protected from inner fender ... or not.
I forget what year started use of factory undercoating on inside of wheel wells.
I thought it was mid-70s.
BTW - love the paint and matching username.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
My neighbor picked up a stone with his '68 and damaged the top of the fender (from the inside) beyond just a star. It's rare but it can happen. My wifes Acura TL has a waterproof carpet like lining in the rear wheel wells for sound deadening. We were looking at that to line the inside of the hood surround to protect the Vette's from that type of damage.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
[QUOTE=NHvette]There isn't a lot of surface area behind the paint that IS exposed to
the wheel well on the other side. Have you convinced yourself that
a rock hitting the wheel well actually COULD cause the cracking ?
That is ... is your "star" protected from inner fender ... or not. Quote]
I know that on the way out to Carlisle, I heard something hit the car on the driver's side, and when we got there, a small star had appeared on the side of the fender near the top end.
Going to a show this weekend, same thing, heard a rap, like something flew up under the car, and then there were two large spider shaped stars on the passenger siode top fender.
Never saw anything on the road, both occured at 70 mph.
I guess a couple of layers of undercoating is the way to go, thanks for your help!
the wheel well on the other side. Have you convinced yourself that
a rock hitting the wheel well actually COULD cause the cracking ?
That is ... is your "star" protected from inner fender ... or not. Quote]
I know that on the way out to Carlisle, I heard something hit the car on the driver's side, and when we got there, a small star had appeared on the side of the fender near the top end.
Going to a show this weekend, same thing, heard a rap, like something flew up under the car, and then there were two large spider shaped stars on the passenger siode top fender.
Never saw anything on the road, both occured at 70 mph.
I guess a couple of layers of undercoating is the way to go, thanks for your help!
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Hilton Va
There was someone (maybe Jughead) that said that they used rubberized silicone on the under side of the fenders. That sounded like a real good idea to me. I could be wrong, it's been a long time since I read that. Still sounds like a good idea.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by Skunkvette
I am curious if anyone else has had this problem.
This happened to me a few months back. It happened just after I got new tires. I was driving on the interstate and just saw the piece of debris as I ran over it and it kicked up hard under the fender. I am considering many of the suggestions above. I will definately do something when I get the paint fixed next year as I do not want it to happen again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Marty W -
EXACTLY - only even bigger!
Did you switch tire types with the new set?
I am wondering if the tread pattern contributes to the problem, the BFGs I am running have a block type tread, which may help 'pick up' the debris to fling it into the fenders.
EXACTLY - only even bigger!
Did you switch tire types with the new set?
I am wondering if the tread pattern contributes to the problem, the BFGs I am running have a block type tread, which may help 'pick up' the debris to fling it into the fenders.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by Skunkvette
Marty W -
EXACTLY - only even bigger!
Did you switch tire types with the new set?
I am wondering if the tread pattern contributes to the problem, the BFGs I am running have a block type tread, which may help 'pick up' the debris to fling it into the fenders.
EXACTLY - only even bigger!
Did you switch tire types with the new set?
I am wondering if the tread pattern contributes to the problem, the BFGs I am running have a block type tread, which may help 'pick up' the debris to fling it into the fenders.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Originally Posted by MartyW
No I did not switch tires. I now just drive paranoid and look out for anything bigger than a seasame seed. I am running Dunlop Qualifier GT 245/60R/15.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
This is a common problem and easily prevented. Jack up the car and remove both front wheels. If you look under the fender you will see an area about 1 square foot that is unprotected and is the bottom of the fender. This is where stones are tossed which caused the stars in the paint above it. Get a piece of heavy paper and use it to make a template that covers the unprotected area. Then go to a home supply store and pick up a dense foam kitchen mat which usually are 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Don't get anything too gay. 
Use the template to make a protective pad and glue this pad to the underside of the fender using liquid nails or your favorite adhesive. Then cover the inside of the fender with undercoating. You will not be able to notice the repair and it will protect your paint. I did this to my car 15 years ago and have yet to get stars on the top fenders. Before I did it I was getting stars everytime I drove it.
Use the template to make a protective pad and glue this pad to the underside of the fender using liquid nails or your favorite adhesive. Then cover the inside of the fender with undercoating. You will not be able to notice the repair and it will protect your paint. I did this to my car 15 years ago and have yet to get stars on the top fenders. Before I did it I was getting stars everytime I drove it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 357
Likes: 8
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Vettfixr,
Thanks for the advice, that is what I will do when I get it back from the painter.
I am sorry to hear it is a common problem, but since I had never experienced it with my other two sharks, it was a first for me.
Thanks for the advice, that is what I will do when I get it back from the painter.
I am sorry to hear it is a common problem, but since I had never experienced it with my other two sharks, it was a first for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
A lot of it depends on the paint. Lacquer is notorious for stars because its typically thin and brittle (ask me how I know 
). Other paints may be thicker or more flexible and not as prone to damage. In any case I would add the pads if for nothing else than to protect the fiberglass.
On a side note I've found that Ford's spray on rubberized undercoating is the best I've ever used. Yes, I know, I'll slink back to my cave now.
). Other paints may be thicker or more flexible and not as prone to damage. In any case I would add the pads if for nothing else than to protect the fiberglass. On a side note I've found that Ford's spray on rubberized undercoating is the best I've ever used. Yes, I know, I'll slink back to my cave now.
