Need help, I'm a total newbie to fiberglass bodywork.

For you guys that bought L5 fenders...did yours show up looking like this?

My body shop has concerns about the condition/quality of these fenders. He says what we received is suspect...and L5 claims he doesn't quite know what he's talking about.

I'm using a reputable shop in Fairfield - Auto Perfectionists. They supposedly have done quite a few wide body/booty vettes and have extensive fiberglass experience. http://www.autoperfectionists.com/corvette-repair/

Bodyshop says:

1) He says he can't understand how/why each fender seems to be comprised of "two pieces". He claims they don't come from a single mold, rather there are two pieces mated together. L5 says no, they are from a single mold.
2) He says there are spots that are extremely thin - "to the thickness of several sheets of paper"
3) Says there is is some cracking/blems on some spots and mounting holes that he's concerned about.
4) Pitting on finish
5) In general, he says they would need quite a bit of work to repair and fit (and in his professional opinion, may not hold up)

To L5's credit, they have agreed to take these back and are replacing with new fenders to ensure everyone is happy. I'm of course concerned about the replacement set...

Anyone have any input/feedback on their L5 fenders, and the pics of the ones we received?

Please and thank you.

 

I certainly would not pay to have those flairs fixed. They do not look very good, especially for the price you paid. ON the other hand, the body shop may not want to do the job, because they are not comfortable with this process, but you say they have done many wide body cars, So IM going with what the body shop is saying. Just as something to compare too. here are my flairs as I received them from Pete at corvettecreationz. and these are about 2/3 the price of the L5 quarters.

 

Thanks ET...yes, I know Pete's Carbon Creations fenders. I actually have a set of those as well but prefer the look of L5's. I was hoping the L5's would show up looking good but I may ultimately go with the Carbon Creations fenders if the replacement L5's aren't "perfect".

So far, the Carbon Creations fenders look a heck of a lot better from a quality and finish standpoint. Yours look great.

Also, the L5's were $850. Pete's were cheaper but not by a lot.

This shop supposedly knows what it's doing:
http://www.autoperfectionists.com/corvette-repair/

 

So it's said - I hope this doesn't turn into a "bash L5 thread". Sue has been great through the whole process and IMO, they absolutely have the opportunity/chance to make it right.

So what's your specific feedback about the pics (and what you see)?

Thank you 8VETTE7.

 

That is bad. Looks like during the separation from the mold it cracked/broke. They then did a really poor job of trying to fiberglass it back together. The backside is always rougher than the front, but should be consistent and look like what I circled in your pic.


Also the side to be painted should be smoother, close to ready for paint. Those are horrible. I am surprised the shop would even consider working on them.
Here are my TPE's when they arrived.

 

Thanks for the input...

All of this and I didn't mention that a fender also broke through the box and got drug around while being delivered. The tip got ground off the end of the fender.

My shop said they didn't pack them well and didn't have them in any way labeled as "fragile".

 

Wow that's total crap.... I don't understand why they would even ship out those fenders to a customer. Their quality control must be a joke.

 

I recieved and installed my L 5 fenders about 2 months ago . I was really happy with them . The only odd thing is the one fender did not have a hole for the antenna , so now I have no antenna . But thats ok, I never listen to the radio anyway, only my I-pod .

 

No hole for the antenna is normal.

 

So, did yours look at all like these things I received??

Thanks.

 

Woah. I can't imagine sending something like that out to a customer. I'd expect more from a Honda civic bodykit off eBay

 

That's the right question to ask. I received a set that was basically just as bad (yours looked worse in some areas) and is why they were returned. I'd be surprised if any were received looking any different.


Btw, it took around a year to get my money back, and that only happened because they really had to beyond it being the right thing to do.

 

The L5 fenders I received came in way better shape than the ones pictured. I think you just received a bad batch. Hopefully the vendor will be quick to replace them....

 

So much for quality control. L5 may be helpful during the replacement process, but why would they even ship something like that?

 

Yeah, well, I hope the replacements look great. If not, SHF. (crap will hit the fan)

 

I just had my 2nd set installed and the body shop made it very clear to me these are not worth the money they charge for them. They needed alot of work, he had to punch hole for antenna, he added alot of fiberglass and tons of blocking. He felt for the amount of time he had to put into them they now cost twice the price I paid for them and 3x more then GM fenders. But after all the work was done there perfect. Funny thing about these Fenders is 5 years ago the first pair I installed that shop said they were good needed work but good.

 

Interesting...so, why your 2nd set installed? 2nd car you put them on?

 

Forgive my ignorance, but are carbon fiber fenders more difficult to get paint coverage on than fiberglass? Yours look great.

 

Was in a mild accident and it cracked.

 

No there is no difference in the prep or the paint application. Obviously the surface of the carbon fiber quarters are deeply suspended In a smooth clear coat. they could actually go on the car and be un painted as you can see in my first photo of the quarter standing alone.. Carbon fiber is as strong as steel and much lighter. I put them on my car and drove it and allowed the car to stress relieve them for a few weeks before I took them off again and had them painted. After painting and re installing them I lowered my suspension to where I wanted it to be. Pictures of my car with the unpainted carbon quarters mounted show the car was in its non lowered stance. Hope this helps
Bill aka ET