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Replacing a front fender

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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 06:55 PM
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Default Replacing a front fender

<a href="http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/jammer123corvette/?action=view&current=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!
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 06:57 PM
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sorry, thought I knew how to post a pic, but didnt happen. I'll try again.
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:25 PM
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:55 PM
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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
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 08:52 PM
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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!
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Old Dec 28, 2009 | 09:46 PM
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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.





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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 08:50 AM
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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.

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