Author Topic: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way  (Read 6234 times)

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Offline LeftAngle

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Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« on: Tuesday,July 30, 2013, 09:10:41 PM »
You can always learn something new.  For me, one new idea was the way the Overhaulin crew flared the rear fenders after learning they had a tolerance issue.  Now, I didn't want to spend the time trying to form metal bars and screwing them to the fiberglass.  If I did, there'd be more holes than fender by the time I got everything aligned.  I decided to use "C" clamps and a couple of sticks between the body sections and the tire instead.  I laid it out the same way Foose did, but I also drilled holes at the top of the cuts.  A hole will distribute the stress of bending the glass.  Even so, at an old repair, where the glass was thicker, the surface cracked a bit and the glass around it will have to be dug out.

I'll have to cut the unused interior radiator mount away from the body in order to finish the front of the flare.  So far, from marking the fender to this point, it has taken about an hour and a half.  I'm quite pleased.  I'll be making the rear fenders using a shaped foam mold.  I'll know when its all over, which was the better way.

« Last Edit: Tuesday,July 30, 2013, 09:27:39 PM by LeftAngle »
Yes, it's work...   No, I don't mind it.

Offline LotusJoe

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday,July 31, 2013, 09:14:12 AM »
 :coolpic:
Joe Irwin
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(The Classic Barn Find)


Offline Grumblebuns

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday,July 31, 2013, 09:34:25 PM »
That last picture looks pretty painful. How do you intend to maintain the form without internal braces.

I'm very interested in your method. Please post additional pictures as you progress.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

 

Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #3 on: Thursday,August 01, 2013, 05:49:56 AM »
This side is already pretty well braced by the radiator mount.  I'll be cutting the body away and build up the brace to match up with the cut off end. The distance isnt as drastic as it looks in the picture. I had to bring that piece out to keep the fender line straight.  It's about half an inch, resting.  One note:  I discovered the fiberglass was only .040" thick in the deepest part of the fender roll.  That's probably why the edge had so many repairs.  I completely filled the area with Bondo Hair, making it impact resistant.  It probably depends on who was laying the car up, but it's a difficult part of the mold to reach and check, so I'm probably not the only one with that issue. I'll try taking more pics.
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Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #4 on: Saturday,August 03, 2013, 04:00:25 AM »
My right hand fender is coming along.  It still needs attention, especially around the edge of the wheel well.  Cutting through .040 material didn't leave anything to grind back.  The interior, likewise was impossible to grind as well, so the backing mat didn't have a great surface to grab hold of.

All-in-all, it isn't a bad way to flare a fender if all you need is an inch or so.  My front wheel has clearance and other than narrowing the fender roll, it doesn't appear to be anything but stock.
« Last Edit: Sunday,August 04, 2013, 01:51:30 PM by LotusJoe »
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Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way... More Pix
« Reply #5 on: Saturday,August 03, 2013, 12:46:03 PM »
The shaping and sanding is about done.  The "flared" fender doesn't look all that much different than the non-flared fender from the outside.  It does stick out about 1" further than stock, but inside is a different story.  I've increased the overall thickness of the fiberglass at the opening, but by removing the return, there's enough room for my tires to fit.

1st photo new
2nd photo stock
3rd photo new
4photo stock
5th drawing new and old
« Last Edit: Saturday,August 03, 2013, 12:49:08 PM by LeftAngle »
Yes, it's work...   No, I don't mind it.

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #6 on: Saturday,August 03, 2013, 09:24:48 PM »
One down, three to go !  :)

Until you posted the photos of old vs new, it does look remarkably like the OEM profile. Very subtle. 

I can hear it now, "err...  I tried the same wheels on mine and they don't fit, so how come ?"

Brian

Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #7 on: Saturday,August 03, 2013, 09:31:10 PM »
LOL  I may be saying that myself at the next set of wheel or tire changes  :headbanger:
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Offline 3929R

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday,August 06, 2013, 08:33:24 AM »
I really like the combination of subtle functionality.
Mark
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday,August 06, 2013, 06:58:29 PM »
Unfortunately, after pulling the car out and looking at it with both ends formed, I see the original shape of the front arch competes with the radiused rear arch.  Looks like I may have to re-visit the front.  The difference between the original photoshopped image of my idea doesn't quite come together in reality... IMHO.   Often the real thing just doesn't look as good as the 2D version.

The first photo is the reality and the 2nd is a PhotoShopped version of what I think needs to be done.  What do ya'll think?

« Last Edit: Tuesday,August 06, 2013, 07:07:02 PM by LeftAngle »
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Offline LotusJoe

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #10 on: Tuesday,August 06, 2013, 07:57:20 PM »
The second shot is a definite improvement
Joe Irwin
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(The Classic Barn Find)


Offline LeftAngle

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday,August 07, 2013, 04:40:47 PM »
I agree Joe.  Which is why I cut out the Foose modification this morning.  I also cut the scrap piece in half to show the buildup of the edge.  I bet it would have had excellent strength against parking lot slammers.
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Offline buzzer

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Re: Making Flared Fenders the Foose Way
« Reply #12 on: Thursday,August 08, 2013, 12:38:09 AM »
I would agree I think you are on the right track, but you've started already and lookalike I've you are making decent progress.
Keep up the pics

Dave
Dave,

Other cars. Westfield SEiW. BMW E90 Alpina D3. BMW 325 E30 convertible and Range Rover CSK