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Right & wrong way to roll a fender...

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Old Jun 17, 2007 | 06:40 PM
  #1  
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Default Right & wrong way to roll a fender...

Hey everyone,

Well, I posted a thread a couple of weeks ago about my tires rubbing on my fender every time I hit a nice bump due to my installation of my Megan Coilovers and aggressive wheel offset (+23 rear, 275/35/18R tire). I was advised to roll the fender before getting a negative camber kit. I called a couple of custom car garages in the DFW area but they wanted about $125 per fender to roll. So I said "Screw that," and I bought the tool myself. I got a bundle deal from Eastwood with the Eastwood fender roller and Eastwood variable heat gun for about $240 shipped...not bad!!

Anyways, I attempted the driver's side rear first (as shown in the very last pic). I learned the hard way that I didn't heat the paint up enough...chip, crack, chip, crack, everywhere. It was my own stupid fault. I wasn't patient enough. Fortunately, only the inside lip & radius cracked and it didn't propagate onto the outside portion of the fender. I got so mad at myself that I waited a whole week before doing the passenger side (did it yesterday). Now on the passenger side (first four pics), I forced myself to use extreme patience and enjoy the work (I usually get so excited doing a mod that I rush and screw something up). Patience is a virtue...it took me about 1-1/2 hours but it turned out beautifully with no cracks or chips, despite being bent a full 90 degrees. Took it out for a drive tonight and didn't hear any rubbing...I hope to try it out with a second person in the car just to see if the added weight affects the setup...if so, I'll be getting a camber kit. But so far so good!! I'll be getting the chipped fender repainted...I'm gonna have my C/F wing painted to match the PPW at the same time.

If anyone wants input on the process or has input, just let me know.
Attached Thumbnails Right & wrong way to roll a fender...-img_0262.jpg   Right & wrong way to roll a fender...-img_0264.jpg   Right & wrong way to roll a fender...-img_0265.jpg   Right & wrong way to roll a fender...-img_0269.jpg   Right & wrong way to roll a fender...-img_0270.jpg  


Last edited by NaNa-Papa-J; Jun 17, 2007 at 06:44 PM.
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 09:58 AM
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Looks good !!! Sux about the cracking, I need to do that soon and will try to be patient.
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 12:16 PM
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thats cool. Would you be interested in help other DFW members do that?
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 12:21 PM
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nice investment. If I were you, why don't you do this for the local guys for a small fee... to recoupe your costs.
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 12:43 PM
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Pretty cool. Seams a lot safer than useing a baseball bat....
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 02:08 PM
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I used a baseball bat, for the price of free! no cracking or anything. as longs as you go slow you are all good
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 02:52 PM
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Yeah looks like you are trying to move too much material on your first pass. I do multiple passes and use the heat gun (to about 200 degrees) and no issues at all. I use the bat method as well. Done multiple Zs with no issues.

Louisville custom automotive tools FTW! LOL
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 03:33 PM
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Pretty neat tool. Make sure you take it to shows with you in case others want it done on the spot. You should have no problems getting your money back after doing a couple.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 07:07 AM
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I like the tools. I'm glad you posted this. I will refer to this later on if I need to roll my fenders. Thanks.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 08:28 AM
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Nice thread. You are correct about patience. Another word of advice for anyone trying to do this themselves. Put your car out in the sun for a few hours before starting this project. You may end up baking yourself in the sun while doing it, but the heat from the sun will help heatup the metal more consistently and you will have to use the heat gun more sparingly.
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