Fiberglass Fenders
 

Over the past two years I've noticed cracks showing up in the fenders on my Fordor. In fact, I had the right fender repainted and it cracked at the outer front mounting bolt hole as I was putting it back on... There is also a crack in the splash apron on the same side and I just noticed a web of cracking near the hood on the other side yesterday.

As far as I know, these are original fenders that are just full of bondo. Would the fiberglass fenders hold up any better? I've heard bad things about the 30-31 steel fenders and I have no intent of selling since the car has a lot of sentimental value but I do drive it quite a bit.

Also, what would be the approx. cost of taking the old fenders to a metal shop and having them worked on to eliminate the need for that much bondo? I'm not sure what kind of shape they're in under the paint.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

If you can find original fenders, that would be best... I'm sure Berts has them...

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

IMHO, if you get the right quality fiberglass fenders, they make a lot of sense if you are not building a Point car.

The key is to buy the best. Wescotts are..

Larry

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Go with the new metal fenders... They are not that bad to install...
Driver or not fiberglass kills the value IMO

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Look under the fenders, that will tell you how bad they are. Try to stay with steel.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

I have Wescotts fiberglass fenders on my 29 hardtop pickup and have over 40,000 miles on them and no cracks and have hit some pretty big pot holes and no problems. I bought my second set in December direct from their store in Demascus Oregon. The fenders are perfect in every way. I compared them to original ones and they were exact. The people at Wescott were exelent to deal with.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

I was experiencing similar problems with the original fenders on my '31 Roadster. Last winter, I undertook to repaint them (what else is one going to do that time of year in Finland?). I chose to wire-brush them down to bare metal, and while doing so went through large patches of bondo easily 1/4-inch thick, maybe even 3/8th's in some places. I spent maybe 8 hours hammering out very rough spots, and then used modest patches of bondo and filler, trying to keep the thickness of all that below 1/8th of an inch, altogether probably another 8 hours of work. Keep in mind, I am a rank-amateur, who barely knows which end of a body hammer is 'up.' Mine is not a show-car, but I am happy with the result.

My guess is a professional body shop would have taken 10-15 hours of labor to achieve similar (better?) results, so I'd figure $700-1500, depending on your local shop rates, and the condition of the underlying steel. I suppose it could be more if they're real swiss-cheese-full'o-holes.

I have no experience with fibreglass fenders, so can't comment on those. I prefer steel, but possibly only for emotional, sentimental reasons.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Hey Bruce,
What was cost per fender ?
And, how do they compare, weight wise, to same metal fenders. I'm thinking that...if they are as nice as you say, maybe take off my '30 roadster front fenders and try them ? No sentimentality here, eh :), but would like to save on weight factor.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Yes, because model A's are so ponderous. :D

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

As fibreglass should be 3.5 mm thick, it weighs about 3 to 4 kilos a square metre.

I would guess a front glass fender would weigh about 4 kilos or 9 pounds.

A steel one would be very similar in weight I would guess, maybe a bit heavier but certainly not a huge weight saving.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Depending on how bad yours are, I would seriously look into having them fixed. Fiberglass fenders look fine and holdup well.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Bring your car to any reputable body shop and they will give you a free estimate. All of the comments on fordbarn are going to be pure guesses.

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

Glass fenders are better than a kick in the HEAD! Friend, Ted, uses them. He finishes them underneath & they pass off for ORIGNALS!
He's CHEEP, like ME--LOL--(I have this "thing"?? in my LEFT ear, that sometimes goes, CHEEP-CHEEP, like a tiny bird, REALLY!) I guess it's better than a RINGING sound??
Cheep Dad

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

How does he finish them underneath

Re: Fiberglass Fenders
 

I have one with steel fenders and one with 'glass fenders. Good 'glass fenders aren't cheap. They cost about the same as repop steel ones. I sprayed the bottom of the 'glass fenders with "raptor" box liner so you can not tell they are 'glass by looking at them. I do find it humorous though when i see people "discretely" feeling under the edge to determine if they are steel or 'glass (as if it matters).