VFiber fiberglass fenders - installed!!
12-03-2011, 07:33 PM
#1
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VFiber fiberglass fenders - installed!!
I had a little "mis-hap" and one of my fenders sustained some damage. I decided that it was the time to decide if I wanted to upgrade the fenders to the vented kind. A bit of research revealed only two aftermarket fenders - Sarona and VFiber. Second, the VFiber fenders seem to match the car's creases where it lines up with the door. Third, they are much cheaper than Sarona.
I located a VFiber dealer in Chino and they had a bunch in stock. I sorted through them to find the ones in the best shape. You have to realize that fiberglass parts don't just bolt on to the car. You MUST prepare the fenders before paint. I thought about using a body shop, but I decided to try my hand at preparing the fenders.
Here is a pic of the bare unprepared fender:
Ill give you the basics of how to prepare these from my research and by doing it. First, you use bondo to fill in the major valleys in the fiberglass. Then you do lots of sanding. I used a pro quality random orbiting air sander. Next phase is usiing a lighter filler, like Dophin to fill in and to put a skim coat on the fender and then sand. I also used a filler in a tube for pin holes. There is LOTS of sanding. I also repaired some minor cracks and I put some fiberglass resin on the inside of the fender to give it a bit more strength. Some of the vent openings required some shaping too as well as the edges. It a bit of work, but it pays off in the end.
After sanding and shaping, its time to prime, lightly sand and then paint and then clear and then wetsand and then polish it out. I want to give a HUGE thanks to Chulo from the org for his help in every phase of this project. He let me text him at various hours o the day and provided valuable advice.
You also have to drill mounting holes. The holes for attaching to the front bumper have to be square to allow the threaded plugs to fit. That took a bit of filing. These fenders are much lighter than the factory steel fenders too!
Here is the result:
I located a VFiber dealer in Chino and they had a bunch in stock. I sorted through them to find the ones in the best shape. You have to realize that fiberglass parts don't just bolt on to the car. You MUST prepare the fenders before paint. I thought about using a body shop, but I decided to try my hand at preparing the fenders.
Here is a pic of the bare unprepared fender:
Ill give you the basics of how to prepare these from my research and by doing it. First, you use bondo to fill in the major valleys in the fiberglass. Then you do lots of sanding. I used a pro quality random orbiting air sander. Next phase is usiing a lighter filler, like Dophin to fill in and to put a skim coat on the fender and then sand. I also used a filler in a tube for pin holes. There is LOTS of sanding. I also repaired some minor cracks and I put some fiberglass resin on the inside of the fender to give it a bit more strength. Some of the vent openings required some shaping too as well as the edges. It a bit of work, but it pays off in the end.
After sanding and shaping, its time to prime, lightly sand and then paint and then clear and then wetsand and then polish it out. I want to give a HUGE thanks to Chulo from the org for his help in every phase of this project. He let me text him at various hours o the day and provided valuable advice.
You also have to drill mounting holes. The holes for attaching to the front bumper have to be square to allow the threaded plugs to fit. That took a bit of filing. These fenders are much lighter than the factory steel fenders too!
Here is the result:
12-04-2011, 12:47 AM
#5
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I actually have side skirts but I havent installed it yet on that side, so it will look more aggressive with them back on. Look at my signature to see the side skirts.
12-04-2011, 06:04 AM
#7
12-04-2011, 09:31 AM
#8
but from that profile shot, it looks stock (minus the drop and wheels). so the fenders are a bit loud.
but it will look better after he put his side skirts back on.
12-04-2011, 10:58 AM
#9
12-05-2011, 04:59 AM
#12
12-06-2011, 06:27 AM
#17
Stang-seeking Max Missile
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Location: CT
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And Deus...looks good, bro- nice work, as always, doing it yourself and making sure it's done right- gotta respect that.
I think it goes well w/the hood, too. I've considered these also, but like you, will wait until I HAVE to replace the fenders. Until the, extra $$$ will continue to go under the hood for me. I also never realized so much prep work would be involved with these. You saved yourself a chuck of change doing it yourself; I'm sure a good body shop would charge a lot to do what you did. WTG, D!
12-06-2011, 05:16 PM
#21
12-07-2011, 02:06 PM
#22
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Well it seemed like a lot to me but Im not a body shop guy so I had to work after my day job on nights and weekends. If I had to do it again, I know what Im doing more but my ability is nothing compared to a guy who has been doing it for years. Mainly it was just smoothing out the surface and sharpening up the creases and then tons of sanding. I really like the look of the finished product.
12-07-2011, 05:07 PM
#25
12-07-2011, 05:24 PM
#26
Well it seemed like a lot to me but Im not a body shop guy so I had to work after my day job on nights and weekends. If I had to do it again, I know what Im doing more but my ability is nothing compared to a guy who has been doing it for years. Mainly it was just smoothing out the surface and sharpening up the creases and then tons of sanding. I really like the look of the finished product.
My bodyman did alot of sanding on mine but there was still some uneven surface.Luckily someone rear ended me a week ago and the insurance is taking care of it.So come next year i'll have a freshly painted bumper
12-07-2011, 05:39 PM
#27
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Location: NorCal
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In all honesty, I prefer the Sarona ones over the VFiber, Sarona would be even better if the top part of the top vent was parallel with the car instead of sloping upwards. The thing I don't like about the VFiber ones is that the vents cut into the flat fender arch, making it look someone just added vents without designing around the fender. But I gotta hand it to you for doing all the prep work and getting them to look as good as they can.
12-10-2011, 11:11 AM
#28
Mine have stopped maybe 1 of 8 door dings... paintless removal was cheaper than to try to replace the rail.
12-13-2011, 11:05 PM
#30
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Location: ChiTown "Windy City"
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LOOKS LIKE ****!!! Those fenders belong a on a civic or a neon. All thats missing from this ricer movement is lambo doors and neon lighting.. The only thing that I can see saving this is some custom rear overfenders to give it a widebody look and that is not cheap..
12-15-2011, 04:36 PM
#34
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12-15-2011, 04:41 PM
#35
They look nice. The lines flow well IMO and the gap between the hood and the top of the fender looks like you took your time and fit it right. Congrats on the new look. I wish I could afford a nice body kit but even the halfway decent ones are expensive and the money is better spent on the motor in my case.
12-15-2011, 06:23 PM
#36
12-15-2011, 06:25 PM
#37
They look nice. The lines flow well IMO and the gap between the hood and the top of the fender looks like you took your time and fit it right. Congrats on the new look. I wish I could afford a nice body kit but even the halfway decent ones are expensive and the money is better spent on the motor in my case.
12-15-2011, 11:06 PM
#38
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12-16-2011, 12:12 AM
#39
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LOOKS LIKE ****!!! Those fenders belong a on a civic or a neon. All thats missing from this ricer movement is lambo doors and neon lighting.. The only thing that I can see saving this is some custom rear overfenders to give it a widebody look and that is not cheap..