I might be inclined to weld new metal to the wheel houses, especially the flanges that will be under the wood, and thus not exposed. You could probably do that and keep the patina of the bulk of the wheel houses. Not knowing how they attach to the bedsides, I don't know if that approach would work well.
I'm not sure how to faux-tina new ones, except maybe paint them, then beat them up and submerge them in seawater for a while. That would probably look pretty fake. I saw a truck that was faux-tinaed, and it definitely looked like it. (see the attached pic.) I mean who would use red primer??
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
