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![]() Enthusiast ![]() Joined Sep 9, '12 From 13114 Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) ![]() |
Well, here is my first Step by Step post.
I'm in the process of shaving my front fenders side markers. I do not recommend if your state requires them. So here is the rift: Necessary Materials: Dual action Sander(or Hand, just takes at least double the time!!) Sand paper, 40, 80, and 320 grit Bondo body filler Fiberglass resin Fiberglass mat Bondo Body patch scissors GLOVES!! Breathing MASK First off, i removed my fenders, Step 1; remove tire. Step 2; Remove wheel well shroud, i think about 10-12 screws. Step 3; Remove the 3, 10mm bolts from the fender to the front bumper, then the one bolt from the firewall, on the inside of the fender, then the 2 bolts on the bottom corner under the door jam, and then the bolts inside the door jam(door open to access them), and finally the top 3 bolts under the hood, on the side well. Step 4; After partially removing the fenders, there is a bracket attached below the low beam lights. 2, 10mm bolts. I was able to access them without pulling the lights or bumper, so if you want to do that route, do it. Step 5; Picture time! here is my drivers side fender before prep: ![]() First off, i removed the plastic piece that holds the screw in, used pliers, pinching in the side tabs, while lightly tapping with a hammer. Next, using the dual action sander, and 40 grit paper i cleaned around the outside, down through the clear coat, base-coat, and primer. Right down to metal. like this: ![]() I then cleaned the inside of the fender, and cut a Body patch to size, and applied to the inside: ![]() this is the outside: ![]() The body patches i used, there are 2 per pack: ![]() I then used gloves, bondo body filler, piece of cardboard and an old card as the applicator(call me cheap): ![]() I mixed about a golf ball size of filler with about a 2 inch line of hardener, and mixed and kneaded in(don't knock the old AAA card, LOL): ![]() Then using the card as an applicator, i lightly applied into the patch, and around the old hole, carefully making sure to overlap the onto the fender and blending around it. like this: ![]() After allowing the Bondo to harden, i then used the sander with 80 grit to sand down and around the old marker. Making sure not to go to far down. Basically i made it level with the fenders: ![]() Next step is the fiber glassing, materials used: Bondo fiberglass resin Fiberglass mat Cheap paint brush Old plastic dish scissors *MOST IMPORTANT* Gloves( for reasons i will explain later) Breathing mask(same as above) Here: ![]() I first cut two strips of fiberglass mat: ![]() I then mixed about 3-5 ounces of resin to about 15-20 DROPS of hardener. After thoroughly mixing, you've got about 10 minutes of work time. I first laid down a layer of resin, and then applied a strip of fiberglass mat. I then brushed it out, making sure to get all the bubbles out. and then applied another layer of resin. Now its optional to apply both strips. I did it to better insure that the hole would better blend into the fender. here is the end result of the fiberglass: ![]() SO what i was going to say about the gloves and mask. First off, the gloves are a must!! If you do not, then don't plan on scratching your ass afterwards, or your wont stop scratching for about a week, maybe two. Trust me on that. and it doesn't even have to be your butt. Fiberglass is some nasty stuff to get on you. especially the resin and mat mixture. The mask, well its some strong smelling stuff, and without the mask, you better have some crazy ventilation. So that's it so far. my next steps will be on sanding down, blending it in, priming, more blending and finally paint. so more to follow! -------------------- "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." John Wayne
“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.” -Einstein- "Taking Life One Day at a time, and Never Looking Back" -Herb- DUKE HAS SPOKEN |
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![]() Enthusiast ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Joined Feb 23, '12 From Warrior, AL Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) ![]() |
When I respray my car I must do this. I never understood why our cars have side markers, the front turn signal wraps around to where it's visible from the side...
-------------------- 2001 Miata LS 5-speed
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