2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear fender repair advise needed.

[moparguy]

Well after 8 years, someone has damaged the right rear fender of my truck. I'm inspecting on a utility project and I suspect a backhoe did the damage. Unfortunately I can't prove anything since I didn't notice the deep scratch till the next day.



The primary damage is a scratch about 1/8" deep and about 1' long that tapers out to a buffable paint scratch another 12'' long.



Since the deeper part of the damage is into the white fiberglass, I'm concerned about the fender cracking later.



Other than Bondo, what's the best thing to use to repair a 12"x1/8"x1/8" scratch in fiberglass ?



Since I'll likely do the repair myself, I'd rather not have to repaint the entire fender, but fill in the deep scratch and use touch-up paint, then compound and buff things.



Thanks, Ronnie

 

[Brand-X]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune from some imature SOB. not grown up enoph to admit they made a mistake. I would use a product called mar-glass or the equivalent it is a fiberglass resin with chopped (Not Strands) fiber glass mixed in. You mix it the same way you would bondo but it's much stronger. You may have to go over the top of your repair with a very thin coat ob bondo just to get the fine finish you will be looking for... . George

 

[Extreme1]

The 3500 fenders are plastic, not fiberglass. The plastic will flex and expand/contract from heat differently than fiberglass. I'd check with someone familiar with repairing these fenders before just puting fiberglass on it.

 

[Brand-X]

I did not realize they were plastic you can get what you will need here... George

try this

 

[moparguy]

Thanks for the link and info guys.



So does anyone know what kind of plastic these fenders are made of?



Ronnie

 

[zues]

I have been fixing plastic fenders on corvettes and the best stuff that i have used is called Vette panel adhesive.



You use it in the same manner as bondo. My suggestion is sand it as soon as it dries. Don't let it get too hard. When it gets really hard it is like sanding cement.



If you are worried about it cracking mix some up and put it on the back side.



Use a good 2 component primer surfacer.

 

[catoiler]

Go to your local auto body supply store and ask for the SEM Plastic repair. They have it for this kind of plastic. You will most likely have a bigger spot to paint after you sand it. DON'T use any type of fiberglass repair or brittle stuff as it will crack out pretty quick.



Mike

 

[moparguy]

Thanks Guys, I've got to get on this soon.



RJR