Taco'd my front fender. Suggestions?
#1
Taco'd my front fender. Suggestions?
So I was backing my car up this morning so my gf's parents could go to church. As I back out, then pull back into the driveway, a car was speeding and coming up behind me pretty fast and not slowing down. He was going to do one of those idiotic last minute swerves to scare me (like all the other idiots on this street do). I look forward at the slight left bend on the narrow street and an incoming car was going pretty fast too. Not wanting to get into a collision, I go up the driveway pretty fast while turning. I know you're not supposed to turn while going up driveways because of the weight that is one side. It was a quick reaction and what happened next made me cringe. In 4 years of owning this car while at this ride height with 4 different sets of wheels, today was the day.
So I go to roll it back into place with a bat because I'm in a hurry. My heat gun was at my house and we were late to a friend's BBQ. Now my paint is chipped, the fender is a bit wavy, and the fender flared outwards a bit from being taco'd.
What should I do? My friend has an Eastwood roller that I plan on using but he thinks it'll just make the fender even more wavier and maybe flare out the fender even more. This is only on one side mind you. The other looks perfectly fine. One fender is sort of flared and one looks untouched. Should I leave it be? He suggested removing the fender, placing it flat on top of cardboard on the ground, then using a rubber mallet to try and flatten and pinch the inside edge as much as possible to the outer edge, and while doing so, this may help flatten out some of the waviness.
Is this easier said than done? I plan on removing the plastic wheelwell liners too. Is it easy to remove the fenders? How long would that take to remove and re-install?
I really don't want to buy a new fender and get it sprayed. This would be my last option. Please help! It's bugging the crap out of me every time I have to look at it.
So I go to roll it back into place with a bat because I'm in a hurry. My heat gun was at my house and we were late to a friend's BBQ. Now my paint is chipped, the fender is a bit wavy, and the fender flared outwards a bit from being taco'd.
What should I do? My friend has an Eastwood roller that I plan on using but he thinks it'll just make the fender even more wavier and maybe flare out the fender even more. This is only on one side mind you. The other looks perfectly fine. One fender is sort of flared and one looks untouched. Should I leave it be? He suggested removing the fender, placing it flat on top of cardboard on the ground, then using a rubber mallet to try and flatten and pinch the inside edge as much as possible to the outer edge, and while doing so, this may help flatten out some of the waviness.
Is this easier said than done? I plan on removing the plastic wheelwell liners too. Is it easy to remove the fenders? How long would that take to remove and re-install?
I really don't want to buy a new fender and get it sprayed. This would be my last option. Please help! It's bugging the crap out of me every time I have to look at it.
#2
Pole Position
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i did that before..just take the wheel off and take a rubber mallet and hammer it back in gently or flat. its not hard
* edit i just read your fender is wavely. i dont know how you fix that but just try to hammer it back in and then just use touch up paint to cover the chips
* edit i just read your fender is wavely. i dont know how you fix that but just try to hammer it back in and then just use touch up paint to cover the chips
#4
Wow! Thanks for the quick responses guys!
Yeah we talked about this at the BBQ. He also entertained what you guys suggested. He said I could hammer away with a mallet while he tries to apply steady pressure on the other side to keep it from flaring out even more. Arghhhhh! It's the waviness that is making it more challenging to fix.
Yeah we talked about this at the BBQ. He also entertained what you guys suggested. He said I could hammer away with a mallet while he tries to apply steady pressure on the other side to keep it from flaring out even more. Arghhhhh! It's the waviness that is making it more challenging to fix.
#5
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
same thing happen to me.I stuck a screwdriver between the tire and fender and bend it back in place.added Wheel Well Molding after that. http://www.vinylgraphics.net/shopexd.asp?id=5786 they should have you color.I think it look pretty good with the moldings.
#6
1SWTGS: That does look pretty good. I like it on your black, but I'm wondering if it'll stand out as much on Alpine Silver. It will cover where the paint is chipped and cracked though.
Also, what does everyone think of using a C-clamp to try and flatten the inside metal lip? I'm also trying to bend the fender back in a bit because it flared out. Do you think a C-clamp might work?
Also, what does everyone think of using a C-clamp to try and flatten the inside metal lip? I'm also trying to bend the fender back in a bit because it flared out. Do you think a C-clamp might work?
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#8
Aww man. I was excited until reading the last part. I really don't want to get it resprayed. The electrical tape thing is a good idea to avoid teeth marks from the pliers. Do you think my C-clamp idea should work? I would probably have to work the areas a little at a time. I don't need it back to perfect, just bearable to look at. Also, I'm sure you removed your plastic wheelwell liners because you're so low. This shouldn't affect anything, specifically when it rains? It doesn't leave anything exposed to the elements right?
#9
I wouldn't use a c-clamp because you might damage the paint on the outside of the fender. Grab the part that flipped inside out with the pliers and pull it back inside. If you have a bat or a fender roller you can get it looking decent again. I still have my fender liners but they're full of holes.
#13
Lexus Champion
Before I painted my car, I cut the lip off - only about 1/8" of the lip remains. Can't pull the lip down if it's not there!
Also, you can "pull" the front fenders a little to gain additional clearance. A friend of mine and I pulled the front fenders out nearly 1/4" by hand. Just grab the radiused portion (wheel opening) and pull slowly and carefully. It will take a few tries to get them to move that far.
Also, you can "pull" the front fenders a little to gain additional clearance. A friend of mine and I pulled the front fenders out nearly 1/4" by hand. Just grab the radiused portion (wheel opening) and pull slowly and carefully. It will take a few tries to get them to move that far.
#14
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (16)
happened to me too. u should get the eastwood fender finisher. that would work great on it.
what i did was use a hammer and hammer it back in. first i heat it up, bend it back with some pliers(over some cloth of course) and then hammer the rest up. looks OEM.
nah the paint chipped a bit......
what i did was use a hammer and hammer it back in. first i heat it up, bend it back with some pliers(over some cloth of course) and then hammer the rest up. looks OEM.
nah the paint chipped a bit......