The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop metal or fiberglass fenders?

I need to know the pro's and con's for metal versus fiberglass fenders. I am planning on driving this 55 and am worried that if new metal finders are thinner than the originals that rocks flipping up may cause dimpling from the under side of the fenders. All advice is appreciated. Also, it would be nice to get advice on who sells best quality parts.

the repro fenders for the TF series are as good as the originals, and of course subject to the same rust issues - fiberglas is where you'll find thrown rocks will result in star cracks on the surface, although they don't rust - either are better well undercoated .... I think there's only one maker of the fenders regardless of the vendor, so look for price, from MO your best choice is probably Jim Carter, closest and lots of happy customers here on the forum

Bill

The reasons listed are why the manufacturers started putting inner fenders on cars. Any fender without an inner will be susceptible to rock damage. We put an extra heavy coating of undercoat on my '38 to help minimize the risk. I also drive very slowly on gravel roads.

remohbill, I have been running fiberglass fenders from R&R for 10 years now on my 37....and running boards. There is no star or rock marks anywhere on them. (and no undercoating on them)

While I do not hunt dirt roads to travel on I certainly burn up the interstates and local farm to market roads. Depending on your use, and preference, the fiberglass should hold up very well and be more economical unless you are dead set on metal.

I've used fiberglass many times and yet to have a problem. I will add that the fenders I get are hand lapped and to me feel a lot heavier than some others. BUT I'm not going to start a range war here about vendors.

Im also running Glass rears with NO ISSUES, I did however this fall take them off and put 4 good coats of Duplicolor Bed Armor roll on undercoat on the inside of them just for added protection.

Gravel roads = stone chips or small star cracks(glass) if you drive them enough. The sheet metal from L.M.C, Classic (site sponsor) or Jim Carters has been of good quality and in most cases from the same manufacturing company. Just negociate your best deal price wise. A good undercoating is always a good option.

How did the Duplicolor product go on SW Radial? Is it simular to most bed liners?

Yes the Duplicolor bed armor is a D.I.Y. roll on liner impregnated with Kevlar,I used the little roller where I could and dabbed it on with a brush in the tight spots.
When cured it is some tough stuff!

SW I plan on doing that to my metal 35 fenders a do it myself or have a bed liner company apply it,seen it on inside a small cement mixer and it was used for years still looks good

I'm surprised at the good response to the fiberglass fenders. I put them on the rear of my panel only because I couldn't find a good used pair. Lots of stone guard on the underside but it yet to see the road.