The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Fiberglass fenders?

Besides the fact that my truck will not be "stock" what other advice do you have regarding using fiberglass fenders as opposed to the real deal? I am looking for the good, bad and ugly truth! I am having trouble finding good affordable fenders for my "46 half ton restoration. Actually, I'm hoping someone will talk me out of it...............

The quality of these look pretty good but for me I just can't come to grips with using them..just seem artificial..No one will know they're there..but I will

When I have a drink..I want it in a glass..not plastic..Your conscience is talking to you..listen to it.

Have fun,

Keith

Hello:
I agree with both. However, I may put the fiberglass on just because of the time involved in making "real" fenders look as good. I have also been thinking of the widened glass fenders for clearance for modern tires.
Ter

I seen them have starburst fractures on the outer gel coat surface because of small rocks or pebbles being flung up from the tires on the inside. Plus when flick it with your fingernail it'll have that cheap plastic sounding thud. I'd stick with all steel 'cause it's real.

I have 7 old GMCs and 3 1956 Fords and although I am capable of putting in patch panels, etc. I just don't have time for it. I have been lucky enough to find a few nos fenders, a few Arizona rest free pieces, but although I don't like Taiwan fenders, I use them. They look more real than fiberglass fenders. In my opinion, too much fiberglass makes a vehicle look like a plastic jelly bean.

I put them on a 40 pickup a few years ago & they fit & looked real good. The only thing is if you go to sell it & tell people it has fiberglass fenders they act like it has some kind of horrible disease.

I have seen many trucks with fiberglass fenders that looked good. Hopefully Alvin (Chipmunk) will chime in, as he has used them in the past with good results. I distinctly remember him telling me, just last weekend (in KC) that there are differences between the manufacturers regarding thickness, and fit.

How bad are your originals? The fenders on my '41 are very rough, but I am going to rework them to the best of my ability. There was a decent set of rears at the swap meet in KC, but they still needed some work.

John

Achipmunk checking in..... I have used fiberglass fenders on my 37 for 8 years along with fiberglass running boards. I've had the 37 in excess of 120mph on several occassions and no cracks or stars from road gravel or vibrations.
Heck, I have never installed the fender braces on the front or the rear as I did not want to put holes in the fenders. I'm planning to use a small fiberglass rod to stick on the inside of the fender/chassis with some "glue and fasteners" that Freightliner uses for certain attachments. That will keep it clean!
I also have never installed the inner fenders on the front as I want to do something a little different but have never got to it. I even see folks at the car shows and cruise-ins thump my fenders and hear them say "yep, they're metal". I'm sure a real pro can tell the differences but mine look nice. I do try not to stand on the running boards because of the paint but I do when washing it.
I get my fiberglass stuff from R&R Fiberglass out of Tennessee. Richard Keller laps his fiberglass and has good quality. A lot of the cheapo's are sprayed and have thin/ligh/heavy spots and do not hold up very well.
EDIT: on my current project,52Panel, I have already blasted the rear fenders and the shops here want 150-200 each to repair them and prime them. They are not in that bad of shape. So being the practical man I am I think its wise to put fiberglass fenders on the rear of the panel. I think they are about 220 each at R&R but I think I can talk Richard into a discount? That way I do not worry about a differnt kind of crack than a fiberglass crack ...with FILLER it can do the same and have to be re=done which all depends on the skills of the body man and how well he does the repairs to begin with.....To each his own and I understand the logic most folks use. I'm just trying to be practical and since this is a "resto-rod" I do not have to be a purist!
Hope this helps you make up your mind.

I purchased my rear "glass" fenders from
www.usbody.com/
They are over 1/8" thick and very evenly layed up, the fit is suppurb! I was a little leary of the fit at the running board/fender connection area until we mocked em up an the fit is perfect!
They look great, STRAIGHT & FLAWLESS, been down a few gravel raods with no ill effects but then again Im not running deep lug tires on mine so the chance of my 60 series street tires throwing a rock is slim.
My deciding factor was weighin the cost of repair of my originals that were torn uf BADLY yrs before I got the truck when my Uncle got caught in a snow storm and he put chains on to get where he was going,my body man gave me an estimate of a minimum of 10+ hrs/each to repair and @ $40/hr. well that added up quick!
Tim

I have over 7000 miles on my fiberglass fenders. The fronts are a little thinner then the rears and are showing a few stars in the paint. The stars are from rocks, but you really have to look for them. The stars are nothing compared to the chips on the front side from bugs and rocks and what ever else has hit them, the '37 has a lot of area for impacts! I have heard that if you get them sprayed with bed liner before painting, they will hold up much better.
My rear fenders are two inch wider then stock and I really like the look. These are so strong, you could set on them with out any fear of cracking. I bet they weigh three times what the steel ones did.

I say go for the glass for now, enjoy the truck while you repair the steel, then sell to glass to the next guy in the same situation. Joe

have to admit..a lot easier to get 2" wider fiberglass than to widen steel fenders

I ordered my rear fenders from a guy on Ebay since my originals were total junk. These are as described above very heavy duty and with shipping came to less than $200 per fender. I am not looking to resell but building a weekend driver for the grandkids and me so what others think is not a concern. I have looked at many sets for sale and they all need major work which I had enough of already. They look and fit excellent every bolt hole lined up perfectly. If someone wants his contact# I will provide it he is a top-notch seller with no problems.

You guys are really great! Thanks a ton for all of the advice. I have plenty to think about now............

I have used fiberglass fenders several times on AD trks.
I have had no problems, however I use Shultz undercoating on them just like I do on steel fenders.

Don Meyer