Let's play spend my money.

I am starting body work. Trying to figure out what to do with my driver's side fender. Money is not unlimited, but I don't want to end up with a crappy JEEP, either. I have posted pics of what I have. Please help me spend my money (wisely).

1) The fender is pulled down toward the outside a little; there is a bit of daylight between the fender and the grill. You will notice this creates a gap between the hood and the fender toward the front of the vehicle.
2) There is very little rust. What you see in the pictures easily comes off with 80grit. I believe the brown paint to be original. There are no areas in danger of punching through. The bottom of the fender got coated with some kind of black rust inhibitor some number of years ago. The flange appears virtually rust free.
3) There are some dents. I think I am capable of beating them out somewhat, but there will undoubtedly be some filler on there if I go that route.
4) If I go with the replacement panel, I will probably go with two replacement panels just so they match, which will double my cost. I will have shiny fenders, but will end up with thinner sheet metal.

 

My vote is for new fender/fenders. You may be able to find a straight one in the used market so check the for sale forum or local sources. Even if you have to get re-pops, IMHO that's better than Bondo. Your current fender would take a lot of work to make it right.

The thinner metal shouldn't be an issue. I have a friend with repro fenders and they still seem pretty darned sturdy. If you use a good undercoat and paint it up, rust shouldn't be a factor. Any abuse that would damage a new fender would certainly cause body filler to fail and you'd be in the same place anyway. In short, metal is better than Bondo. Of course that's just my opinion and I'm slanted by the fact that I'm not that great at body work.

Good luck whatever you decide!

Rob

 

leave it like it is. cost's you nothing and you don't have to drive like a girl worrying about denting your fender.

JB

 

R) R) R)

 

Hammer, filler, paint.

 

:iagree:

 

I think I'd try to take it off and beat it out the best you can. Taking it off lets a lot of the stress out of the metal. or maybe take the fender to a body shop ( just to hammer out the dents, experience goes a long way) then put the fender back on with new bolts and washers. this is cheap. If the results are unaceptable then buy one or two new fenders.
Another alternative to bondo is to beat it out and then repaint, a battle scar is OK on an old JEEP IMHO.

 

You can straighten it out with a little time, but I would take it off if you are going to do that. Your best be is probably to get new ones of find some used ones. One of my cousins just gave my other cousin a set in really good shape. If you were closer I would talk him into just swapping fenders with you, because we are going to be cutting these for his trail rig.

 

A new one is going to save you a LOT of time/aggravation, and money in the long run...