Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
- two_68_510s
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- Location: Ben Lomond California
Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
I had purchased an old damaged but not rusty fender for 10 bucks.
I decided to see if I could bring it back! The fender overall is very good, just that one little dent. Close up of damage:
I decided to see if I could bring it back! The fender overall is very good, just that one little dent. Close up of damage:
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
- two_68_510s
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- Posts: 3894
- Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
- Location: Ben Lomond California
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Separated the eyebrow trim, two small rusty screws.
If there is a bump/dent I go to the back of it (the "male side of dent") and give it a well placed and very small poke with my tool of choice and a small hammer..
I have shaped some old chisels into various blunt shapes to use. You will find it to be pretty instinctive. Use some finesse and don't stretch the metal. Never "pinch" it between your anvil (I use a piece of railroad rail, makes a nice ring) and your hammer/tool, that will stretch it. You use the anvil to backup the blow, but keep the energy input lower then you think you should, you will be surprised. Also, it takes lots of very small blows to accomplish this, not a few big ones.
Just bump it back into position. You can feel the difference. The metal does have a memory, if you coax it. It you hit it extra hard, it will stretch or distort a little and make it tougher. I have found it is hard to "shrink" stainless trim if you go too far, like you can sheet metal, so go slow. After hitting it about 10,000 times you can get pretty close, then you can sand a little to find high and low spots and hit it again.
The process I use for trim, self taught, is to look for the point of impact and work the dent backwards in time, kind of a forensic approach If there is a bump/dent I go to the back of it (the "male side of dent") and give it a well placed and very small poke with my tool of choice and a small hammer..
I have shaped some old chisels into various blunt shapes to use. You will find it to be pretty instinctive. Use some finesse and don't stretch the metal. Never "pinch" it between your anvil (I use a piece of railroad rail, makes a nice ring) and your hammer/tool, that will stretch it. You use the anvil to backup the blow, but keep the energy input lower then you think you should, you will be surprised. Also, it takes lots of very small blows to accomplish this, not a few big ones.
Just bump it back into position. You can feel the difference. The metal does have a memory, if you coax it. It you hit it extra hard, it will stretch or distort a little and make it tougher. I have found it is hard to "shrink" stainless trim if you go too far, like you can sheet metal, so go slow. After hitting it about 10,000 times you can get pretty close, then you can sand a little to find high and low spots and hit it again.
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
- two_68_510s
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- Posts: 3894
- Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
- Location: Ben Lomond California
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Top part polished, bottom only sanded
The damage and my twisting it back into place caused a section of one corner to break out, I will TIG a little repair in there
Last edited by two_68_510s on 19 Jan 2012 19:02, edited 2 times in total.
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Because when you spend a silly amount of money on a silly, trivial thing that will help you not one jot, you are demonstrating that you have a soul and a heart and that you are the sort of person who has no time for Which? magazine. – Jeremy Clarkson
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Amazing stuff I have a few of these that are not nearly as bad as this - have to get to work!
Finished is better than perfect......
- two_68_510s
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- Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
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Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Damn things are getting expensive!
Now, to go after that fender!
Now, to go after that fender!
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
- kayakdude07
- Posts: 424
- Joined: 06 Jul 2009 19:15
- Location: Langley BC Canada
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
I thought I worked hard to fix up the eyebrow trim I had.
Nice work Joel!
Nice work Joel!
Jordan || '72 2 door KA project || '72 2 door goon project- Flintstones powered (dad's)
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Mad skills, yo!
Holy shnikies!!!
Holy shnikies!!!
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
In general, metal shaping/finishing is a lost art, to do it correctly is a very time consuming job = $$$. Most people won't or can't pay for the talent. There is a guy (one man shop) here that just does metal finishing,no bondo,no painting. Has customers from all over the world. Works on a retainer system, you bring the project and some large amount of money and works off the retainer. When the money runs out, you bring some more. The guy does some amazing work. I saw a client of his bring in a clam shell fender off of some high priced car, that looked like a semi drove over it. Weeks later looked like it was brand new, nice shiny bare metal ready for paint, just unbelievable work.
Joel, thanks for documenting the process!
Joel, thanks for documenting the process!
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
w0w!
i was happy with my results using bamboo stakes to pound out the dents and creases, until i saw yours.
i was happy with my results using bamboo stakes to pound out the dents and creases, until i saw yours.
byron wrote:I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a smartie.
okayfine wrote:Sense doesn't always have everything to do with it, and I speak from experience.
- two_68_510s
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Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Now a little work on the fender:
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
- two_68_510s
- Supporter
- Posts: 3894
- Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
- Location: Ben Lomond California
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
- two_68_510s
- Supporter
- Posts: 3894
- Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
- Location: Ben Lomond California
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
- two_68_510s
- Supporter
- Posts: 3894
- Joined: 18 Apr 2010 11:20
- Location: Ben Lomond California
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
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- Joined: 12 Sep 2004 19:42
- Location: Abbotsford B.C.
Re: Eyebrow trim/fender restoration
All I can say is WOW!!!!!.Nice work.