Hey guys, another quick question. Every wheel arch fender has some sort of ding in it. I have managed to panel beat them back to shape and they are looking good except I have no idea how to shape the outer edge. What tricks do people use?
Shawn, the good news is that in that area you have an ideal situation in which to work. The curves in the panel are much easier to work out than trying to get a flat panel into shape. You will need a good dolly with at least one straight edge, and a panel hammer with a rounded end like a ball pein hammer. Mine has quite a long T at the top with a different size ball at each end. As you work, use a body file to reveal low spots needing more attention.
All this from a retired grade school teacher who learned what little he knows from watching a tradesman work, for what it's worth.
Allan from down under.
Looks like you could fill the crevice with weld and grind smooth. If you are a perfectionist you could grind the underside to match.
Might be a good place to learn how to use body lead.
Use a comma dolly or similar shape, and a good body hammer. Tap away against the dolly held from underneath.
Thanks guys thats what I have been doing with all the other dents as you can see on the top right of the picture. That panel was pushed all the way in. What i'm having a problem with is getting that nice "crease/line" running down the panel.
When you get it together and shaped, be sure to fit it to the car with the running board in place before you paint it. From experience, I have found that working the metal stretches it and when you bolt things together, it might not fit. It is unfortunate to paint first and when you put it in place, you need to push the metal to fit to the running board and put a kink in the edge, ruining your new paint job. This is more a problem with the rear fenders than the front ones.
Norm
Here's a Speedster that was completely painted with rattle cans from ACE Hardware