Fiberglass Help

[rocketrapson]

Hey guys, I picked up a set of fiberglass fenders pretty cheap and I'm not sure what brand they are since there is no brand logo printed on the underside of the fenders.

I got them for 50 bucks and they are in good shape, but I do see an issue that I'm going to run into when I decide to install. The lip that bolts into the engine bay on the top of the fender is at an odd angle, to where it won't lay flat on the engine bay to bolt down.

Is there anyway to make the fiberglass plyable so that I will be able to drill the proper holes to mount these up to my car?

 

[jakelandry]

Hey guys, I picked up a set of fiberglass fenders pretty cheap and I'm not sure what brand they are since there is no brand logo printed on the underside of the fenders.

I got them for 50 bucks and they are in good shape, but I do see an issue that I'm going to run into when I decide to install. The lip that bolts into the engine bay on the top of the fender is at an odd angle, to where it won't lay flat on the engine bay to bolt down.

Is there anyway to make the fiberglass plyable so that I will be able to drill the proper holes to mount these up to my car?

No. Theyre all made like that. You have 2 options either bolt them down top first or cut out the angled part between the first and last fender bolt hole. spray the area where the bolt holes are with wd40 really well, bolt the fender over the wd40 area by the first and last bolt holes in the fender that you didn't cut out, and lay new glass. Drill the holes for the covered holes while its still bolted down. take it off, cut the first and last bolt holes off, bolt it down by the new middle holes and repeat for those 2 areas. Then trim the glass, sand, bondo, paint.

I recommend option 1.

 

[ICM_MikeLago]

$50 is a good price even though you are running into this issue. It sounds like you need to get creative and use a diy attitude. I dont know of any way to make fiberglass pliable. I would probably try laying some resin to compensate for the gap. Clecos are excellent fasteners for aligning body panels. Good luck!

 

[CanadianTalonTC]

$50 is a good price even though you are running into this issue. It sounds like you need to get creative and use a diy attitude. I dont know of any way to make fiberglass pliable. I would probably try laying some resin to compensate for the gap. Clecos are excellent fasteners for aligning body panels. Good luck!

For anyone else reading who has never heard of these they are great. Basically easily removable/resubale rivets.

JEGS Cleco Fasteners - JEGS

Joel

 

[ICM_MikeLago]

For anyone else reading who has never heard of these they are great. Basically easily removable/resubale rivets.

JEGS Cleco Fasteners - JEGS

Joel

Thanks for clearing that up. I assumed someone would have just done the same thing I do when I'm clueless and google it haha.

 

[rocketrapson]

I was thinking about taking a propane torch and heating the lip up to adjust the angle of it so it lays flat. As far as lining up, it lines up great, I'm just concerned about the bolts not fitting because of the channel that is created by the angle of the lip.

From what I'm reading though, i'm just gonna have to deal with it.

 

[ICM_MikeLago]

I don't think fiberglass is flexible under heat like plastic is. I have never tried it and I could be wrong.

 

[CanadianTalonTC]

Would a propane torch not cause it to burn/melt?

Joel

 

[ICM_MikeLago]

Would a propane torch not cause it to burn/melt?

Joel

Good point! I have never experienced it myself so I can't verify. My guess would be that it would burn/melt. How much exposure to flame and how much heat is applied would be factors of the outcome though.

 

[jakelandry]

You CANNOT make it plyable.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Aw, I was looking forward to the "GUYZ THE FENDER MELTED!!! WHAT NOW?!?!?!????????" post.

 

[rocketrapson]

Not yet, but if it does I'm only out 50 bucks so it's not a big loss. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. I'm gonna start messing with it in the morning.

I was google searching and found another forum, granted it was for planes but Fiberglass is still Fiberglass no matter what you put if on, and they were talking about heating up a section to make clearance room for something on his plane and the guy was successful. This gives me hope.

Here is the link to that forum I found, http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=97476