How do I repair a cracked fender?

[Joe M.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Repairs depend on if you have a 62 or a 61.62 has a one piece bonding strip whil 61 has an intersection of bonding stips meeting at the center of the wheel well opening.Typical to see bulging wheel wells due to poor repairs.Additionally if you hit a snow bank, look elsewhere for damage that may be putting pressure on the wheel well opening damage. Also mounting points may have to be readjusted for inner fender bumper brackets, radiator support.If your well is bulging and you pick up on the fender by the headlight you will it disappear, so give the car a good look over for additional damage and realize the pressure on the well opening may be originated elsewhere.On a 61 you might replace the smaller broken bonding strips for a permanent repair. might consider replacing the entire bonding strip on a 62. I haven't done so yet but plan on using the 58 fender reinforcement on my 61 to strengthen the fender .....not NCRS approved.The wheel well opening cracks are the subject the most mickey mouse repairs you will ever see on an early vette.

[Bruce B.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Sandra,
If you want to try the repair just take your time and follow the precautions on the resin container and other safety information.
As far as mixing on glass, don't waste your time or your glass. At the local body shop they use clean cardboard every day, and throw away after use.
I can't imagine a body shop ever using glass.
Mix with a clean spatula or we also use wood paint sticks and if the mixture gets to hot you have used to much catalyst and it will have very short pot time.
And don't forget that it will have to be painted after the repair is done, which I am sure you are aware of.
My best advice is to find a competent body shop and get the repair done correctly.
And NO, I am not in the body shop business, I do my own body work but some things are best left up to the experts depending on your individual skill level.

[Erich C.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Sandra,
You didn't specify the year ( '61 or '62 ) but here are some photos of the p/s bonding strip ( white area second photo ) on my '62 to give you an idea of what it looks like. Joe Mish mentioned "mickey mouse repairs" and this area on my car was a prime example. Body filler ( "Bondo" ) was used as a bonding adhesive. The small curved piece ( missing in photo ) was also repaired and was over 1/4" thick fiberglass.
Erich

[Paul J.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

This is some great information guys, but you understand that Sandy has not participated in the forum for over a year and a half. It's not that the thread is almost 3 years old, it's the fact that Sandy may never see it.

Sandy, if you're out there, hi.

Paul

[Sandra H.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Thanks Monte....I have everything to do it the way you suggested. Doing the backside will definitely be done as the crack is actually several extensive cracks that didn't show up until I sanded it, but I don't see any real problem. Or as they say, ignorance is bliss.

[Sandra H.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Hey Paul....Hi! Yes, I've been missing in action a very long time and won't go into the adventures I've been on, but interest in my car has picked up again. The building the car is stored in is buried in about 4' of snow now, but someone said it might melt off eventually. I'm not at all afraid of the repair and I know I can do it, but being able to listen to all the advice and cautions has been a great help. The crack currently has something that looks like bondo on it that will be removed and the repair done to match the rest of the crack(s). I'm still doing automotive art along with wildlife art and it's been great....still hope to actually meet some of you guys someday!

[Sandra H.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Thanks Joe....as far as I know the car hit the snow sort of sideways (my late husband, the former owner, is deceased). I've checked it over carefully, paying attention to possible other impact damage and so far have not found anything at this point. By the way, it is a '62 and I will look at the bonding strip in particular. This is not a points car, so not too concerned about being approved.

[Sandra H.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Good info Bruce, and I will do this myself. Pretty sure I will learn in a hurry! Thanks

[Sandra H.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Hi Erich.....thanks for the photos. At this point, anything helps. Mine is a '62. Bondo was used on my car by late husband (owner) on one of the cracks and I will remove it so all the repairs match. That stuff seems hard as concrete! Thanks, Sandy

[Monte M.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Sandy,
If you are somewhat familiar with the idea of removing bubbles, I actually do the same things on my lay-up on the car. If I am doing the repair on the front, I tape off the back with plastic, lay-up the front, plastic it off, then I throw down release, it comes in thin sheets, then throw cotton down over the release, drop the plastic on it, tape off the edges, pull a vacuum on it. The cotton will absorb any extra resin, and you just have to pop off the release when the resin is about 2/3 hardened.

I know this might sound like a lot of extra work, but the process will actually make a far stronger repair. It will be at least as strong as the surrounding glass.

When I was younger, I worked in Aerospace. Anything we did in glass had to be flawless. The simple reason is bubbles equal weakness. Let alone in space they would pop.

It takes a little longer, but you will never have to worry about those repairs. If you have ant questions on how I did it, I can send some pictures, or better yet, I can show you the actual materials I use in the process and give you a few pointers I learned the HARD way.

Best of luck.

Monte

[Sandra H.]

Re: How do I repair a cracked fender?

Sounds interesting Monte....at this point all options are worth exploring. The cracks are more extensive than I thought at first and will cause flexing in the fender I think. I would greatly appreciate photos and some idea of what the materials look like. Now that I have a shop to work in, some work might actually get done on the car, when I'm not traveling for my business. Thank you, Sandy