Fender issues, Finding more and more bondo |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Fender issues, Finding more and more bondo |
Air_Cooled_Nut |
Oct 27 2003, 03:33 PM
Post
#1
|
914 Ronin - 914 owner who lost his 914club.com Group: Members Posts: 1,748 Joined: 19-April 03 From: Beaverton, Oregon Member No.: 584 Region Association: None |
First off....(IMG:http://vwvortex.rely.net/zeroforum_graphics/mad.gif)
Grinding away the material around the front right side marker (obvious bondo there) and as I spread out I'm finding that the bondo continues -- in various thickness, btw -- beyond 6" from the marker. Yes, even sculpting the turn signal lip! The more I grind away the more unevenness I'm finding (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fighting19.gif) So I've stopped grinding, kind of smoothed out the grinding in case I have to re-bondo the area so I won't have to reform the sharper contours myself. The right fender was smacked, no doubt about it. Saw it in the headlight damage. So, would putting in a new fender be easier? I have some basic body shaping tools and experience from an automotive restoration class I took for a couple terms from the community college (good experience, I recommend it). My welding experience is above beginner with my MIG -- I don't have the smaller setup necessary for thin sheet metal welding for my oxy-ace. I've assisted some friends with welding a nose on an air-cooled VW (our first time and it was deadperfect! ). It's a little intimidating looking at all the contours and spot welds and seam sealer holding the fender on and I question whether I could do it myself (that's probably my biggest problem right there, self-doubt). What are your recommendations? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Personally, I like the idea of a new fender: No shaping (hammering, bondo) required, just attach. My experience with fiberglass is limited to just a couple small uses and I would rather have a metal fender instead of a glass one. Thanks |
John Kelly |
Oct 28 2003, 06:05 PM
Post
#2
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 692 Joined: 1-May 03 From: Moclips WA. Member No.: 640 |
QUOTE(Air_Cooled_Nut @ Oct 28 2003, 11:54 AM) I have some quality tools, definitely, but there's no roominside the fender for swinging a hammer. The side marker area has been slightly pushed in and I can pull on it and it moves out. I was thinking of spot heat shrinking the metal to 'pull' it out more. First, I'm going to fill the holes because I don't want stock side markers, then I was going to worry about filling/smoothing the panel. The panel is bumpy, like it was dented in and they beat the panel back to somewhat resemble the shape, then simply filled everything with bondo. My girlfriend's digital camera went on the fritz so I can't post immediate pictures of the damage and tools...and the scanner cord just ain't long 'nuff (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I'll see what I can use and send you images via email. You should not necessarily need to hit from the inside with a hammer. You can bump up low spots with a dolly. More important is to hammer and dolly with the right dolly pushing out while hammering and smoothing the surface at the same time. It takes many hammer blows, all the while using the dolly to support and push out the metal. You will eventually have a smooth but slightly high surface that will require a little shrinking to get in to shape. I look forward to pictures! John www.ghiaspecialties.com |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 11th June 2024 - 05:53 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |