New Front Fender?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Brampton Canada
New Front Fender?
The body on my 1994 Flareside is in perfect condition with the exception of a few paint chips. Last fall, my neighbour backed into my truck and hit the passenger side front fender. Now the fender is starting to rust and chip around the bottom lip just above the tire.
I don't want to paint the entire truck because I've always thought after-market paint jobs never look as good as the factory finish and the rest of the truck doesn't need to be re-painted.
Is replacing the fender and having it repainted a good option? I know the original paint is 10 years old and a perfect match is impossible, but its been sometime I've been considering because the rest of the truck looks almost like new and I HATE driving around with a rusty front fender on an otherwise rust-free truck.
There are a few reputable bodyshops in my area, but I'm wondering if anyone has a ball-park estimate of what something like this would cost. I plan on getting an OEM fender, not some aftermarket product that will rust away in a year or two.
Any input would be appreciated.
Glenn
I don't want to paint the entire truck because I've always thought after-market paint jobs never look as good as the factory finish and the rest of the truck doesn't need to be re-painted.
Is replacing the fender and having it repainted a good option? I know the original paint is 10 years old and a perfect match is impossible, but its been sometime I've been considering because the rest of the truck looks almost like new and I HATE driving around with a rusty front fender on an otherwise rust-free truck.
There are a few reputable bodyshops in my area, but I'm wondering if anyone has a ball-park estimate of what something like this would cost. I plan on getting an OEM fender, not some aftermarket product that will rust away in a year or two.
Any input would be appreciated.
Glenn
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: RI
Take a look at some junkyards first. You may be lucky and find a fender the same color that doesn't have any rust on it. Would be a helluva-lot cheaper than having to repaint the whole truck. I found a near-perfect replacement hood for my rusted out one for $40, my pulling it....could be worth a try.
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From: green bay, WI
Wow, you don't think aftermarket paint jobs look as good as a factory one?Who's paint jobs have you been looking at? Most factory paint jobs have some orange peel in it, and most good shops use a good clear that lays down flat, or wetsand and buff after painting to get it nice and smooth. Some of the manufacturers still are having problems on some cars with the paint peeling off. Yes it is possible to match the color if you get it painted, even though it is 10 years old. It just takes spray tests and blending. I painted a hood on a 1996 grand prix recently which is only a little newer, and the guy even bought a cheaper line (limco). With painting the hood, and blending into the fenders, you can't tell a difference in color. The base clears don't really fade much, unlike the old days when cars used acrylic enamel without a clear.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Brampton Canada
Hi kenseth17
I'm not saying aftermarket paint jobs arent good - I've seen some awsome ones - but I've had lots of cars and trucks re-painted and never really liked the finished product. Somehow, a factory paintjob just looks better - but in my own defense, I've never spent big buck$ on an aftermarket paint job......
I am currently restoring a 1983 Mustang GT - when it goes for paint and body, I plan to invest some money in that. There is a shop here in town that did a buddy of mine's 1972 Chevelle - it looks great - and it also took 3 months and cost $4,000.00. I guess you get what you pay for
Glenn
I'm not saying aftermarket paint jobs arent good - I've seen some awsome ones - but I've had lots of cars and trucks re-painted and never really liked the finished product. Somehow, a factory paintjob just looks better - but in my own defense, I've never spent big buck$ on an aftermarket paint job......
I am currently restoring a 1983 Mustang GT - when it goes for paint and body, I plan to invest some money in that. There is a shop here in town that did a buddy of mine's 1972 Chevelle - it looks great - and it also took 3 months and cost $4,000.00. I guess you get what you pay for
Glenn
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From: green bay, WI
Good shops use ppg deltron, dupont chromabase, or other good brands, whatever there preference is. The factory uses the same paint, whichever company gives them the best deals. They may use ppg for awhile then swich to dupont if they get the paint for a better price. Yeah some places are really expensive, but the materials are so expensive now. There are enough hack places too. Thats why it pays to shop around for a decent price and then when you decide on someone, to look at some cars they have done work on and do some research on the shop.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: green bay, WI
refinish fender outside, 2.6 hrs
add to edge and inside=1.1
blend adjacent panels- allow 50% (.5) for each panel/refinish area blended.
Hood=3.2 x .5= 1.6
door=2.5 x .5= 1.25
6.5 refinish hours
Remove and install right fender=2.8 hrs
6.5 hrs +2.8 hrs= 9.3 hrs
So if I estimated it right, not positive on how they do the blend times, going by rates around here.
9.3 x 45.00/hr= 418.50
6.5 refinish hrs x $35/hr material charge= 227.50
$646.00 to remove and replace fender, jamb the fender, paint fender and blend color into the door and hood and clear hood, fender, and door. Should be a lifetime warrenty on paint.
You could probably get by without blending into the hood though if they mixed the paint pretty close, being is it is only the narrow top of the fender that is going to match up to the hood, unlike the door which you see a large area of fender and door next to one another.
add to edge and inside=1.1
blend adjacent panels- allow 50% (.5) for each panel/refinish area blended.
Hood=3.2 x .5= 1.6
door=2.5 x .5= 1.25
6.5 refinish hours
Remove and install right fender=2.8 hrs
6.5 hrs +2.8 hrs= 9.3 hrs
So if I estimated it right, not positive on how they do the blend times, going by rates around here.
9.3 x 45.00/hr= 418.50
6.5 refinish hrs x $35/hr material charge= 227.50
$646.00 to remove and replace fender, jamb the fender, paint fender and blend color into the door and hood and clear hood, fender, and door. Should be a lifetime warrenty on paint.
You could probably get by without blending into the hood though if they mixed the paint pretty close, being is it is only the narrow top of the fender that is going to match up to the hood, unlike the door which you see a large area of fender and door next to one another.
Last edited by kenseth17; Jun 13, 2004 at 01:32 AM.
