Do you think this is salvageable?

[jaccad 10]

I removed the left fender from my project and quickly realized that there was a lot more bondo than I expected. Up to 1/2 inch in some spots.

Finally reached the sheet metal and found out that someone had drilled holes in the fender and tried to pull out a dent. Ugly. I'm trying to get opinions on if this is patchable or not. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Rsanter 152]

It is very patchable

But

What's the cost of a good used fender in your area? Because just because it can be done does not mean it's worth your time.

I see 2 options to fix it...

1 remove the bucket portion of the fender and then you can hammer&dolly the area.

2a cut the bad part out and make a new piece

2b cut the bad part out and weld in a patch from a donar fender

 

Bob

[mustangstofear 608]

Now that's some serious bondo LOL. I think I'd try finding a nice used fender.

[jaccad 10]

Yeah, it was ugly. Unfortunately I can not find anywhere with 69 mustang parts down here in New Mexico. I appreciate your reply Rsanter. I have a friend who is a welder going to come and take a good look at it.

[moodster 55]

If that fender fit the car nicely and there isn't any rust in those dimpled areas then I would simply replace the filler. It is okay to have up to a 1/4" of filler in a small area. I've been through lots of new fenders and they all require some massaging before they fit the car nicely. Generally the panel gaps will be off or things won't line up like the tips of the buckets to the hood... I've had them off by a 1/2" before and that is hard to fix. That is why I try to keep original parts when I can... in the end they require less work and less overall filler.

 

d

[jmandcb769 10]

Wowsers..I thought I was fixing some bad ones. In all honesty I wouldn't spend the time repairing those. Keep your eyes on craigslist.. They'll come around.

[bomccorkle 12]

My passenger fender was in the same shape. I looked for a good used but no luck.... A friend of mine put on a repop, it was a bear. I just went to work on mine with a hammer, dolly and a shrinking disc, just worked on it a bit at a time until it would make me mad and things worked out in the end...

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/1wgym56jwxysnyb/kLeGNf90-Y

 

Don't fret too much. These cars were built to be disposable and I think mine was mostly a bondo sculpture when I got it. Also, when it comes to filling and leveling buy good filler, it will make the process far more fulfilling, it seems silly that you can buy one filler for 15 a gallon and another for 70 but there is a reason there. A quick heads up, you can get rage extreme from summit racing for 50 a gallon(free ship w/ $100 order) or I have just begun using keystone gold(relabled rage gold) for $35 a gallon.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/zzcxu33eu8w5vww/Nris9VAk5d

Edited March 25, 2014 by bomccorkle

[Mike65 475]

I also used Rage Gold after I welded on the new quarter skins to cover the weld seam.

[Rudolph Schenker 14]

Now that's some serious bondo LOL. I think I'd try finding a nice used fender.

 

 

:yes::yes:

[JTG 10]

My time is free so I would start working over the fender, if it's not looking good then you can start searching for one.

[MustangChuck 16]

Actually, that doesn't look too bad. I'd try to salvage it first. Hammer and dolly and a little light body filler. I've seen (and have) worse.

 

Chuck

[bomccorkle 12]

It really is amazing how close you can get something hammered out when you take your time. The steel really wants to be in its original state.....

[jaccad 10]

I think that is the route I'm going to try. I'm in no hurry, so I'll keep every up to date on the progress.