Rolling Fenders and Cracking Paint

[TippytheHippy]

My rims are 38mm offset and the rear rubs when there is a passenger in back.

Does anyone have experience rolling fenders with a hea gun and doing it slowly? Is it possible to roll fenders without cracking the paint? Does anyone have some tips for the correctly rolling fenders? anything would help because I really do not want to crack the paint. I have the Crystal White Mica w/the sparkle coating.

I do know to get a digital heat gun and keep the paint between 98 and 125 degrees. I also know to go very very slowly with the rollC

 

[funksilver07]

Might be cheaper to just get a set of wheels that fit, rather than repainting your car if it cracks. Just a thought...Like every one has said take your time you'll probably be fine.

 

[Mr_Boom]

I recently rolled my rear fenders using the Tire Rack fender roller (link below) that I borrowed from work. Had some rubbing issues when Auto-Crossing with 8J18 wheels and a 245/40R18 tire, so between rolling the fenders and going back to the stock 7J18 wheel the issues were solved.

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=52

When I rolled the fenders I just used a hair-dryer to heat up the surface, this resulted in no paint cracking. It will take a good bit of force and you will have to use different angles with the roller to move the fender a little at a time. You won't be able to complete the entire roll with just one angle for the roller. My tips would be to use a hair-dryer and be patient while moving the fender just a little at at time.

 

[TippytheHippy]

It worked fine. I used a heat gun for the paint and kept it about 138-142 degrees. Bulged a bit at the seam but looks great and doesnt rub anymore! I have a fender roller from Eastman for sale! LOL

 

[BillTheCat]

Glad to hear this came out well for you.

I had a professional roll my fenders today. He decided against the roller tool & instead used a 4 lb. sledge & slowly tapped the lip back, while holding a hard plastic block wrapped in a soft cloth on the outside edge to provide counterpressure. Had both rear fenders done in less than 30 minutes, and the rubbing problem is no more.

I asked him why he decided to use the sledge method, and he said the spot welds on the fender lip could be touchy- causing uneven pressure from the roller, which could lead to creasing, paint cracks, etc. He felt he had more control over the pressure by using the sledge & counterpressure method.

Frankly, after seeing it done, I wouldn't hesitate to go ahead & "roll my own" in the future using this same method. But I'm glad I let someone else do it for me the first time. I'm a chicken sh1t like that when body work's involved.

 

[Knox Joe]

It worked fine. I used a heat gun for the paint and kept it about 138-142 degrees. Bulged a bit at the seam but looks great and doesnt rub anymore! I have a fender roller from Eastman for sale! LOL

where you at in TN, and how much?

 

[Wastegate13]

Glad to hear this came out well for you.

I had a professional roll my fenders today. He decided against the roller tool & instead used a 4 lb. sledge & slowly tapped the lip back, while holding a hard plastic block wrapped in a soft cloth on the outside edge to provide counterpressure. Had both rear fenders done in less than 30 minutes, and the rubbing problem is no more.

I asked him why he decided to use the sledge method, and he said the spot welds on the fender lip could be touchy- causing uneven pressure from the roller, which could lead to creasing, paint cracks, etc. He felt he had more control over the pressure by using the sledge & counterpressure method.

Frankly, after seeing it done, I wouldn't hesitate to go ahead & "roll my own" in the future using this same method. But I'm glad I let someone else do it for me the first time. I'm a chicken sh1t like that when body work's involved.

Where did you have this done? Would you recommend it for say a guy who was about 2 hours south of you? I haven't really checked into anything local about having mine done but I plan on mounting my wheel centers on the backside which will put my effective offset at +32 and I want to lower my coils down as far as they will go. I don't rub now but I'm sure I'll be in shoestring city soon.

 

[TippytheHippy]

Hey man,

where you at in TN, and how much?

I live in Middle Tn around I24 near Manchester, TN. If your interested, I paid $268 and I will sell it for $200. Kinda like I rented it. I studied the scene and Eastman is great. Need a heat gun...but can be done in 30 minutes to an hour safely without any hickup....IF YOU TAKE UR TIME lol. Let me know its still in the box and like new.

 

[TippytheHippy]

Glad to hear this came out well for you.

Thanks Man. Yeah, I could see how that way would work. I am just particular and was afraid of damaging the vehicle. Anyway, I figured i could buy one and resell it for 60 or so less kinda like renting it ya know what I mean? Thanks for the comments. Hope you keep you ride growing!

 

[Knox Joe]

I live in Middle Tn around I24 near Manchester, TN. If your interested, I paid $268 and I will sell it for $200. Kinda like I rented it. I studied the scene and Eastman is great. Need a heat gun...but can be done in 30 minutes to an hour safely without any hickup....IF YOU TAKE UR TIME lol. Let me know its still in the box and like new.

I'll have to talk to a buddy and see what he says, we've been talking about going half'sies on one. I'll let you know something here soon.

 

[BillTheCat]

Where did you have this done? Would you recommend it for say a guy who was about 2 hours south of you? I haven't really checked into anything local about having mine done but I plan on mounting my wheel centers on the backside which will put my effective offset at +32 and I want to lower my coils down as far as they will go. I don't rub now but I'm sure I'll be in shoestring city soon.

I went to Glimpse Auto Body @ 2112 W. Church Street in Orlando. A bit of a haul for me, but probably further than you'd want to go. I just didn't know anyone local in Tampa that I'd trust. Luis @ Glimpse owns the place & does all the work himself. This was my first time going there, but I had seen his paint & body work many times, and knew I was in good hands.

 

[TippytheHippy]

I just didn't know anyone local in Tampa .

Hey I grew up in Tampa....Went there this summer...man too many people for me lol

 

[BillTheCat]

Hey I grew up in Tampa....Went there this summer...man too many people for me lol

And I see you're in Tennessee. I've been vacationing in NC/TN for the last 5-6 years, and hope I can manage a plan to move there. (You know, need a job, would have to find a house, etc.) Because there are indeed too many people here in the Tampa area. Nothing like NY/Chicago/LA, but still too many.

 

[TippytheHippy]

Yeah jobs are hard to find everywhere unless law enforcment, teaching, or medical. Tennessee would love to have ya though lol.

 

[martyxcore]

i walked into my garage and looked for anysort of pipe. used a jack handle. a child could figure out how to roll fenders. i like the hammer method. the rolling takes forever.also i cracked my paint and dont care. its all in the fender. if your looking under my fenders your to close to my car.

 

[TippytheHippy]

I am too particular to crack my paint, but you are right it is easy as pie. I bought the roller for $268 plus sold it on here to someone for $225. So the way I see it, I just kinda rented it. Know what I mean? (five-0)

i walked into my garage and looked for anysort of pipe. used a jack handle. a child could figure out how to roll fenders. i like the hammer method. the rolling takes forever.also i cracked my paint and dont care. its all in the fender. if your looking under my fenders your to close to my car.