Newbie needs body work advice please

[Topcat]

That repair work done wasn't very good whoever did it. I would call that a hack job.

As it sits now, that looks like alot of filler. Where the metals meet, they should be as close to dead even where they meet. Perhaps too much heat warped it causing the buckled where they join.

[Matt70]

That is what I was thinking. Should I look for a better fender? I don't mind doing the work, but I don't want junk either.

[Topcat]

That is what I was thinking. Should I look for a better fender? I don't mind doing the work, but I don't want junk either.

I'm thinking maybe you should investigate a new or better used fender. It gets to a point where repairing something is more hours than it's worth putting into vs. new.

Even with a new one, you'll need to do a skin coat, block, and any minor fitment issues.

I have no experience on the Challenger reproduction fenders fit and finish.
Do a search here and I'm sure you'll find some feedback on them.

[E-Body Products]

Cut away the lip leaving the wheel tub ready for assembly.  Cut a section of the new skin out slightly bigger than you want it.  Clamp the new quarter section / wheel lip overlapping your original quarter.  Then, trim both the old quarter and the new quarter simultaneosly.  This will leaver a perfect but weld seam to weld at.

Or, go get a flare tool and flare your original quarter and weld then patch in.

If you know how to weld, you can do this yourself.  If you can't weld, I would suggest that you get a shop to do it or take some welding classes.  My experience is that it is very difficult to find any shop to do this the right way for a low price.  You could also get a buddy to help you.

Another good solution would be to flange it and use 3M body panel adhesive and just glue it in the flanged area.  Then, the welding is not required.

Good luck...

[Matt70]

Topcat, thanks for the advice. I'll start looking for another fender/start saving for a new one. I'm going to practice on this one and try and learn something. Know any good metal vendors? Year One is expensive.

Danial, where would I find a flare tool?

Thanks everybody and Merry Christmas

[Topcat]

Shipping is the one thing you want to investigate if you decide to buy a whole fender or anything thats shipped oversize.

When I bought my quarter panel, I had the shipping fee waived. How I did this was I had my order piggy backed in with a larger order by another party. The vendor was getting an 18 wheeler load all at once. How I understand it is that large orders PO'd get a shipment cost reduction.

I see part prices all over the place from decent to outrageous. So it pays to get some quotes. Make sure to ask, in stock, insurance cost and whats covered, shipping time, where its actually being shipped from, do they have another location they ship from, tax included or not, carrier name, actual product mgf'r, can you decide on what carrier to ship it.

Also its quite often cheaper if you have the item shipped to a business instead of residential.

If you can work with the seller on shipping, this is a good website to get ideas on what it costs to ship.

http://www.uship.com/price_estimator.aspx

[Matt70]

Thanks great info, I know a place I might be able to ship it to, take care   Matt

[E-Body Products]

I am a parts vendor...  You can download my catalog from my site.

You can pick up a flare tool at any place that sells paint supplies.  Also, some of the online autobody dealers have flare tools.

[Matt70]

Cool Daniel, thanks I'll do that

[E-Body Products]

I also give CC.com member discounts on AMD.  My Sherman prices are already greatly reduced so no further discounts apply.

Thanks