Shaving side markers., Doing my first step by step post of shaving side markers on fenders Options

[Duke]

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!

[azian_advanced]

sticky!

[Box]

FRUIT ROLL-UPS, FRUIT BY THE FOOT, AND GUSHERS!!!! HELLS YEAH!!!

Oh, and nice job on the fenders.

[mkernz22]

I did mine the exact same way as you did yours, but I just didn't use fiberglass. It is not needed, but definitely helps out a lot!

[bigb1970]

I'm lucky i don't have them

[Syaoran]

I really want to have mine removed.

[Duke]

well i originally used just filler, bondo body patches, and spot/hole glaze(red putty). it turned out alright on the other fender, but the issue i had was that you can still see outlines of original holes. so unless i can get it better blended, then i will be taking it all down and do it the fiberglass way.

heres some pics of that outcome:



This is fender primed with just the bondo and patch. its difficult to see, but the bondo lifted and cracked, and also you can make out the original lines



this is a close up of the spot where the marker used to be. its difficult to see, but the line that lines in the pic is the outside cut of hole, and you can also see the pitting that wouldn't fill up.

Now in comparison to this way and fiber-glassing, i find the fiberglass to be more efficient and much more easier to complete. A lot of people get kinda scared to do it, but honestly, it was easier than what other people have told me. But that's just my experience, and maybe some may have a better and easier experience, and more power to you!

And hell yes to the fruit roll-ups, gushers, and fruit by the foot. I forgot to add a step now that i remember-energy replenishment or i like my sugar buzz to keep the work going!!! lmao...

Now onto the next step. just one. but i found to be the most difficult, just getting the blending right.

Materials used:
Suggest gloves because of the obvious
Mask Definetly
Dual action Hand Sander
40 grit sand paper
80 grit sand paper
time
muscles.


So getting back onto the show, the next step that i completed was the sanding down and blending of the fiberglass patch.

First off, the main problem I encountered was dust getting every where. that's why after about 5 minutes of sanding i busted out my full face respirator. I was coughing and eyes were burning. Nuff' said. lol. and gloves.

But back on track, i started by dampening an old rag, and did a wipe down of the area, and went about 3 inches past the fiberglass. I then started with the 40 grit paper and sander.

I found using a circular motion while applying pressure, worked the best. Because the 40 grit is extremely course, i didn't want to cause warping in the sheet metal, hence forth the circular motion. plus it helped with the blending and evening out.

this is the end result:



its a bit dusty, cause i haven't wiped down yet.

But after blending it right down to metal, i followed by using 80 grit to smooth it a little bit flatter.

So this is it so far, and next to follow will be the priming, filling, priming again, sanding, painting and clear coat. oh and more sanding. So like i said, time. you don't want to rush these things.

More to follow soon!

[celica-supra]

About to do similar with my anntena, looking good man.

[Duke]

thanks celica-supra! good luck, and i know that is on my to-do list here! so when i get to that after i get the body kit installed, i will have to do a step-by-step for it too! they are actually more fun than i thought! good luck!

[Edser]

When will we see it on the car?

[Duke]

well if alls goes well im hoping to have the front bumper and fenders done this weekend. But i still have more prep and paint for the fenders.

I know ive got do some fitment on the front bumper cause the hood isnt sittng flush, so washers im thinking. Not a big fan of shims.

But i also have to drill out the old bolts for the fender on the right side and tap the holes, unless i get lucky and the drill out nice.

Just so everyone knows, i live in central ny, about 10 minutes off the lake. And we believe in excessive salt in the winter. Even with washing every day, rust still thrives. So ive had some breakage of bolts and rust on the right rear fender/quarter. Im in the process of repairing. Should have done a s.b.s. for that. Thats a def thing to know how to do.

But im hoping to have the fenders and bumper squared away this weekend fingers crossed.

[Box]

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...

[Duke]

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...

Yea box, i highly recommend it. plus its a great idea just to take your fenders off and see if there is any "treats*" hiding.







Treats*- As defined by Duke, as anything that doesn't belong in a cars' wheel wells. i.e.-mouse nests, bee's nests, leaves, branches, dead mouse, and my favorite, used anti-baby making device(condom). eh..... yes i used gloves, a wet dry vac, and some good ole Clorox clean up spray. taking no chances on that stuff.....and don't ask my how it got in there. I'm blaming past owner.

[Box]

Might be a wasp nest, since I've acquired it. Bad about wasps where I live, already have to remove them from the driver side mirror and tail light... But the car was gone through by a Toyota dealership before I got it from my uncle who works there as a master tech. So no nasty surprises.

[Duke]

haha. I hope so. For your sake. Lmao....

[Box]

So far it's been spotless with none of the usual problems you find in a used car. My mom's fiance's 200SX is another story though.... Nastiest car I've ever seen is an understatement...

[trdproven]

or you can use sheet metal instead of the mesh.

[Duke]

yea that was my first idea, but i dont have the necessary tools to complete it with. I do work as a welder, and have a welder, but I'm more or less doing this to show the average joe, what to do. But the back fender/quarter panel is going to be sheet metal, but im contemplating either riveting it in place or cut and weld.

[trdproven]

gotcha, good write-up though.