started first real work on my 71, bodywork....Yay!!! Options

[geniusanthony]

started out by stripping all four corners about a month ago, then bought my fuches, but since then I have kinda stalled out mostly due to work obligations, had to go to NE Washington for the forest fires for the last three weeks or so.

before I left I bought 16x6 and 7's and found that some stretching would be necessary in the rear. I have always liked soft flares anyway... but as follows is 1) as delivered
2-4) stripped and pounding started on the rear fenders

[John Kelly]

Hi Tony,

You need to use a hammer and dolly to smooth the lumps before anymore stretching. If you choose a dolly that has slightly less curve up and down than the fender will when finished, you will find that it will help reduce the up and down curve and give you more curve front to back. The dolly must be flat side to side. This is critical to making a good flare.

The hammer should be wide and smooth with soft edges. Or invest in a slapper or slap hammer from Ron Covell at: www.covell.biz You can also make your own. A much more efficient tool than a hammer.

Start out with medium hard blows with a hammer while pushing out with the dolly from behind. As the metal gets less lumpy, you will have to hit harder and push the dolly out with more force to get the metal smooth. This is a lot of work. Don’t stop until the metal is a lot smoother. It can still have small discrepancies when you stop hammering, just not too wavy or lumpy. Then you can do another round of stretching and repeat.

Stay at least 2” away from the wheel opening with your stretching so that that it does not get too distorted. I don’t remember if you have my video or not, but here is my album with pictures of the tools:

http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/comm...d=9980138836765

Since I put the album together I have made another smoothing clamp that is flatter and wider. You can run it front to back on the flare and it will also help reduce the up and down curve.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com