Custom Fender Pull / Widebody Work

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 12:26 pm
Hello all,

I recently dove into metalworking and need some assistance on how to finish the fender I am working on. Due to contorting the metal, there are various dents and I am curious as to how to smooth them out. I am assuming I need to use a hammer and dollies to get some of the more extreme dents out, but once that is done, what would i need to apply to begin the sanding process? I want to avoid bondo and try to stick with high build primer if possible.

I am also noting here that this is a proof of concept piece for me, and that I know the front has a tear in the metal due to a bad cut on the fender. Thank you again!
Attachments
4F74D911-F9D1-414E-B0AA-EC6E363EA083.jpeg
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:24 am
I'm curious to see how your work progresses. I would also like to get better at metal work and use less filler or no filler if possible



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PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:34 pm
I take it you cut the wheel opening and rolled it over to form that 90 and in doing so created some dents in the skin.
Those are gonna be hard to remove and maintain original shape of fender.

I would remove all the paint and put fender in an English wheel to smooth the dents out.
an English will help you may also need a shrinker stretcher. it can be done on a stump tho.

A better way to have made that new lip would have been to use a Tipping wheel in a Bead roller, even then the use of an English whell would still be needed I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE9Us4Qk5sA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjJJD1CMpz0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGfs3U5ToQs

No filler dent repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h93IpGFxS0
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Tue May 19, 2020 7:06 pm
Doright wrote:I take it you cut the wheel opening and rolled it over to form that 90 and in doing so created some dents in the skin.
Those are gonna be hard to remove and maintain original shape of fender.

I would remove all the paint and put fender in an English wheel to smooth the dents out.
an English will help you may also need a shrinker stretcher. it can be done on a stump tho.

A better way to have made that new lip would have been to use a Tipping wheel in a Bead roller, even then the use of an English whell would still be needed I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE9Us4Qk5sA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjJJD1CMpz0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGfs3U5ToQs

No filler dent repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h93IpGFxS0


_______________

Thank you for the links! I found the last one to be the most helpful, as I will also be doing this to the rear quarters. Since they are not detachable from the car, this will all have to be done by hand. I believe a lot of the dents on the fender are from doing this work with it off of the car and having to apply a ton of pressure on the table I was using. Maybe working with the piece on the car will alleviate some of the issue? I also assuming because rushed this and didn’t work the whole piece a little bit at a time, so that sudden change rather than a gradual change would have played a role in that as well?

This is also my first time ever for metalwork so this is a big learning curve. So thank you again for the helpful tags!



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PostPosted: Tue May 19, 2020 7:13 pm
I also wanted to add these photos to help give an indication of where things are starting. I’m hoping to bend and stretch these enough so I can add wider wheels and lower the car more since I am opening the wheel arches.

** that is my buddy’s purple fusion on air **
Attachments
FAEE476F-F585-449C-8E96-DA1AA449DC4A.jpeg
EEC40B97-B104-4838-81D3-0DD576EEAE45.jpeg



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PostPosted: Tue May 19, 2020 8:47 pm
Just Me But I would Make the Pieces you want the way you want them then weld them to your fenders. What you are wanting to do is really really advanced metal shaping.
I cant stress that enough Really advanced stuff.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:33 pm
Doright wrote:Just Me But I would Make the Pieces you want the way you want them then weld them to your fenders. What you are wanting to do is really really advanced metal shaping.
I cant stress that enough Really advanced stuff.


________________

Yeah... I figured I was venturing into the advanced territory. And I just don’t want to be cutting and welding since I’ve seen that sometimes paint doesn’t do too well over time on a weld. Figured this would give me the best longevity of the work



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PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2020 11:38 pm
There is NOTHING wrong with Paint over a Weld done properly.
You can also use Fiberglass filler over weld beads, I am doing this now on a current project.
There is also Brazing with Silicon Bronze which also works well under paint.
Then there is the NON welding approach using Metal Adhesives which also work very well.

There is a right way to do things and there is the Half **** way, If your not into Practicing or NOT following instructions be prepared for failure, its really that simple.

If you care about your work you'll put the time in too learn the the skills necessary to use them correctly to perform the job, Buy quality products learn how to use them properly and correctly follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the product your using don't be afraid to ask others what there experience is with a product.

DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU READ ON THE INTERNET!
TAKE WHAT YOU READ WITH SOME SALT AND KETCHUP! USE DEFENSIVE READING!
KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE READING IS BS COMES WITH EXPERIENCE and believe me there are a lot of people posting up A LOT of BS! recommending products that are complete JUNK!
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

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