replacing front fenders
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
replacing front fenders
i am doing a body off restor on a 74 vette the fenders had been replaced by the previous owner and needed to be replaced because of bad bonding and other crappy work. My question is this i have the fenders removed to the bonding strips and i would like to know if i should but the body on then attatch the fenders or can this be done with the body off still.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
WITHOUT ANY DOUBT!!!! DO this procedure when you have your body back on....and it is not as easy as you might think it is....especially when getting them to fit correctly with all of the front bumper retainers and the lower valance panel. A very do-able job...but takes a bit of time and patience so when the other parts are being installed...they fit as they should.
There are al lot of "angles of the dangles" to be concerned with...such as your tires not scrubbing the inner skirts (at the rear) and or fender lips ( at the front), front bumper fit, lower valance fit...and the fender being positioned correctly so when the rocker panels are installed...the rockers come to the edge of the fender and not go past or the fender sticking out past the rocker panel(s)...and needless to say the door gaps and flushness to the doors.
IF you do this RIGHT...you should not need any "pop" rivets...except for the two on each front fender flange where it is "pop" riveted to the metal retainer for the bumper area. I have some tricks...if you are interested...unless you have your game plan already. PM me if you like when you get to that point...the choice is yours.
Best of luck. AND any advice I can give right now is to be PATIENT.
"DUB"
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
i am in the process now of cleaning up the firewall and grinding all of the excess adhesive as well as cleaning the under body and prepping for lizard skin. I will definitley PM you when i get closer, i have looked for info on installing fenders and i havent had much luck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
i am in the process now of cleaning up the firewall and grinding all of the excess adhesive as well as cleaning the under body and prepping for lizard skin. I will definitley PM you when i get closer, i have looked for info on installing fenders and i havent had much luck
"DUB"
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
well thats good information to know, for the next time i remove fenders that is...i have already removed all of the old adhesive, i was planning on using some modeling clay wrapped in saran wrap then positioning the fender in place.... take measurement of the clay, then build the area up with fiberglass to position the fender in place....youre way would have been much easier though. My way generaly always causes me more work the first time......thanks for any other info that would help me in advance.....lol
Last edited by edwtoo; Jul 9, 2010 at 02:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
well thats good information to know, for the next time i remove fenders that is...i have already removed all of the old adhesive, i was planning on using some modeling clay wrapped in saran wrap then positioning the fender in place.... take measurement of the clay, then build the area up with fiberglass to position the fender in place....youre way would have been much easier though. My way generaly always causes me more work the first time......thanks for any other info that would help me in advance.....lol
"DUB"
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
ok i like that idea much better thank you, I am planning on using 3m 8115 panel adhesive. I think I had seen a post that that is what you recommend? i could be wrong though.
I have a ton of work left on the firewall before i can primer and lizard skin it, i found a crack at the dimmer switch that i am going to have to glass in as well as some repairs to the inner fender wells. So i probably wont be putting fenders on for a couple months now, but when i do i will post pictures
I have a ton of work left on the firewall before i can primer and lizard skin it, i found a crack at the dimmer switch that i am going to have to glass in as well as some repairs to the inner fender wells. So i probably wont be putting fenders on for a couple months now, but when i do i will post pictures
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Yeah, you are wrong...I do not use 3M adhesive when bonding on fenders....although many do use it....or at least that is what I think they use. We can get into that when you get closer..just PM me.....or bring it back up on this post.
"DUB"
"DUB"