Rolled Fenders

[aceblaster]

I've searched the forums and around the web and have found out how to roll the fenders myself but I'm curious what everyone suggests.

Roll the fenders myself with the info I have found around the web or take my car to a shop and have someone do it professionally?

It didn't look to difficult but that doesn't mean it isn't, Don't want to screw stuff up.

Thanks guys.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Very easy, use an eastwood roller (rent one) and a heat gun, just go slow...

 

[VTEC_EATER]

It was surprisingly easy to do. The key is to use heat and go slowly. Who cares if it takes you half a day to do if you know it will turn out how you want it. A mechanic doesn't have half a day to get it done right. They have an hour, and if they screw up, they will claim no responsibility.

Do it yourself, and go slowly. You will be very surprised how malleable the metal is once its heated up.

 

[BillTheCat]

I had a professional & well respected body shop roll my fenders for me. I was shocked at how he did it, as it seemed so unrefined. He wrapped a small block of wood in a soft cloth & placed that against the inner fender lip, and used a small sledge hammer to gently tap the block of wood & slowly roll the fender- he just kept moving the block of wood along the lip of the fender, making several passes and- this is important- rolling less as he approached the "9 o'clock" and "3 o'clock" positions. This makes sense, since you don't need clearance there- you need it between 11 & 1, mostly.

He only charged me something like $50-60 (rears only), so it was money well spent. But I could also see doing it myself in the future if the need ever arises. If you think you have the patience & a gentle touch, I wouldn't hesitate to tackle it as a DIY project.

I should add that I live in Florida, and it was pretty much hot as balls outside, so he didn't really need the heat gun.

 

[meicalnissyen]

It was surprisingly easy to do. The key is to use heat and go slowly.

Do it yourself, and go slowly. You will be very surprised how malleable the metal is once its heated up.

the heat is to soften the paint, not the steel

 

[aceblaster]

Alright thanks guys. Looks like when I get the funds to do my wheels I will be rolling y fenders myself.

 

[VTEC_EATER]

the heat is to soften the paint, not the steel

You've never rolled fenders, have you? The metal is considerably easier to bend when heated than when not.

 

[meicalnissyen]

You've never rolled fenders, have you? The metal is considerably easier to bend when heated than when not.

no, I have never done anything for myself, I just type alot

(bang)

 

[SallySpeed3]

You've never rolled fenders, have you? The metal is considerably easier to bend when heated than when not.

Of course it's easier to bend when it's hot but that's not the point. The point of the heat gun is so that the paint doesn't crack.

 

[skallen]

^ +20000000!! Any monkey can roll their fenders...But to do it properly without cracked paint, you are going to need a heat source. And yes, it does make the work a little easier

 

[DelB]

Very easy, use an eastwood roller (rent one) and a heat gun, just go slow...

where would you rent a eastwood roller lol, i went to a shop near me and asked how much it would be they said 200 dollars to roll all 4 of them

 

[SallySpeed3]

just google it. most places mail it to you after charging you a core charge until you send it back. In the end it will end up costing you somewhere around 50 bucks.

And 200 bucks isn't necessary because you only have to roll the rears. So that shop should only charge you 100 bucks. $50 more than renting, eh I'd probably pay them to do it and avoid the hassle of mailing the roller back from wherever you rent it.

 

[carbonkid]

I just bought this and did it myself. Works OK unless you get impatient (.5 hours each side and patience was wearing out).

http://www.eastwood.com/fender-finisher-1.html

 

[nate0123]

I just bought this and did it myself. Works OK unless you get impatient (.5 hours each side and patience was wearing out).

http://www.eastwood.com/fender-finisher-1.html

looks like it would dimple the outer face of the fender, no?

 

[meicalnissyen]

looks like it would dimple the outer face of the fender, no?

not as bad as the dimple I have on my right front from a golf ball I didnt see.

lawnmower ejected it right into the car



GGGRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[carbonkid]

nate:

No dimples at all. If you have the patience, this is a great solution.