The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest A disappointing fender cover purchace!

A fender cover disappointment!

Well, I’ve been waiting for two and half weeks for these fender covers from Classic Parts
of Am. Finally got here today, the reason I wanted these was because they were listed as
being wider than the ones from the auto parts (NAPA) and should protect the fat fenders
on an AD from belt buckle rash.
The one from NAPA was nicely made, two layers of smooth vinyl with the edging sewn
up around the outsides and magnets sewn into the top flap that holds it to the fender, the
only problem with them was they were just to short.
The two that I got today from Classic Parts are really a disappointment, all they are is a
sheet of soft foam rubber with the GM logos silk-screened on them. Had I known that
was what they were going to be I simply would have ordered a full width sheet of extra
soft foam rubber from McMaster Carr and cut my own to what ever shape and size I
wanted.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/140350844/large
So why for the post? Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone thinking of ordering one of
these. If you think by the picture that your getting a high quality fender cover from the
vendor, at least this vendor, forget it, save your self a buck and buy some raw material
and roll your own, it’ll be just as good if not better.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thank you Denny. I/we can always count on you for a true assesment of things you try. Is priceless information. I have a pennzoil cover I've had for years that is pretty nice...but short for the fenders as you mention.
I have a couple moving blankets that have been nice to me. I have more than one. Some for fenders only and some to lay down on.
I bought them on sale at Harbor Freight, with a coupon for $4.99. The local Northern Tool store has some "on sale" now for $5.99 that are 72x80 and are a little thicker than the cheap H.F.

Its just hard to find good QUALITY anymore. One thing for sure, I won't be buying a fender cover from C.P.

Just kick the da*% cat!!!

Denny,

Thank you for the report. I have a 12 year old fender cover from Chevy Duty (Classic Parts) and it is not at all the same as the one you describe.

Nonetheless, I use the HF small mover's blanket described by Alvin.

Yeah, I've used old bedding blankets and moving blankets. In fact one of my favorite
things to use even today is a fender cover that followed me home about 50 years ago
when I worked in a Chevy dealership. It's big, big enough to cover any fender and made
from a soft fluffy tan fabric, the only problem with the fabric covers is they tend to slip
around and slide off the fender. That’s why you see the rubber/vinyl ones in the
commercial garages today, they don‘t slip around.

The one from NAPA was made like the ones you see in the dealerships. One of
the things that I liked about it was the magnets at the top that hold it tight to the inner
fender flange on the AD’s, but they're just way to small. These well made covers are
available in larger sizes and custom made but the big ones are up near a hundred bucks.

You wouldn’t think that a lousy fender protector would warrant this much concern but
when you spend as much time under the hood of your old truck as a lot of us do, you want
something that you’re comfortable with. It’s like that feeling you get when you climb into
a pair of those old well worn Levi’s.

DG

Hey Denny, Why not make some pockets to slide some magnets in your moving blankets. That way they won't slide around. I bought some small square magnets at Harbor to use to test metal for critical temperature when making tools in the forge. I couldn't find them on their webpage, but here are some http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-craft-magnet-discs-98405.html.

I like the higher quality moving blankets as well Denny. Even clamp them in place when necessary. Be carefull with magnets, they can pickup small shavings or filings that could scratch up the paint surface.

Dang,, that's true. Never thought about the magnets picking up shavings. Guess it would have to be something sewing on suction cups. I did a google and came up with this:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/21...777206SBWINMNT&site=www.shopping.com

...or maybe a couple "loops" sewed onto the edge of it that you could "hook" onto something?? There I go, thinking again!

Speaking of shipping blankets, I've found that a good Army/Navy supply outlet aways has good, cheap, soft, blankets to be used for whatever.

I was going to buy a fender cover but I took a rug out of the house. It works great. It has rubber on the back side to keep it from sliding & I had a choice of size until I got the first one.

Husker, I will vote for whaterever.