Replacing a front fender
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Layton Utah
Replacing a front fender
<a href="http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/jammer123corvette/?action=view¤t=CIMG4780.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/jammer123corvette/CIMG4780.jpg" border="0" alt="more of the damage on right front fender"></a>
will be replacing my RF fender soon. First time working on the body. I see fenders advertised as "hand layed" and "press molded" with the latter being more expensive. Is it worth the money?
thanks to all and happy holidays!
will be replacing my RF fender soon. First time working on the body. I see fenders advertised as "hand layed" and "press molded" with the latter being more expensive. Is it worth the money?
thanks to all and happy holidays!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: York PA
Whoa! Nasty
I think I remember seeing a description of the two in the Ecklers' catalog awhile back. I also think I remember seeeing a thread or two in this forum of other guys doing the same thing. It doesnt look hard I just think it takes a pair of kahonas to follow it through. Post pics because I need to do some glass work myself.
chuck
I think I remember seeing a description of the two in the Ecklers' catalog awhile back. I also think I remember seeeing a thread or two in this forum of other guys doing the same thing. It doesnt look hard I just think it takes a pair of kahonas to follow it through. Post pics because I need to do some glass work myself.chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Not such a bad repair... you can cut the damaged area off clean; Eckler's and others sell repair sections for damage like that. It appears that the metal reinforcement in the lip is still whole and not twisted to bits. Get some catalogs or go online to look at patch panels, then research here, there are threads recently that cover similar repairs. Questions might be best directed at the body repair section for true expert input. Good luck with the repair!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I have a section that would replace most of the damaged area. I would be happy to send it if you would take care of the shipping costs. It's from a '74.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Original panels were press molded and came out of the mold smooth on both sides. Tooling for press molding parts can be expensive since a die is needed for the front and back side of the peice. Hand laid parts are usually cheaper because the part is laid up by hand in a one piece mold. Hand laid parts will be smooth on the outside and possibly rough on the inside.
If you want to keep the car original, go with press molded.
FWIW: In your case, I would make every effort to save the fender with a patch panel from the aftermarket providers. Almost all of them offer a fender corner.
If you want to keep the car original, go with press molded.
FWIW: In your case, I would make every effort to save the fender with a patch panel from the aftermarket providers. Almost all of them offer a fender corner.
