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Auto body repair & detailing/Crack in fender 2005 3500 Chevy Duelly

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Expert: Cameron Orsich - 10/3/2006


Question
 Some one unknown hit my truck on the driverside rear corner putting a crack in the rear fender approx 13-14" long from the bottom up. As it is a work truck my partner wants to use duct tape and bondo(no way). I've done my share of fiberglass work but don't really think a patch from behind will stick to the plastic(probally shrink and expand at a different rate causing it, the patch to fall off) can you suggest a product that will adhere and stay on the plastic.  The body shop wants a lot of coin to replace the whole panel, not in the budget just trying to stop it from flopping around, maybe duct tape isn't a bad idea. Thanks for your time and sharing your expertice..Todd Bishop East Hampton N.Y. 516 446 3435

Answer
If you are talking about repairing a flexible substrate, forget it.

If you are talking of a metal panel, thats another story.

If it is a flexible substrate, and you don't want to replace it, try using a fiberglass cloth and resin to reinforce the crack, then bondo...but the only real way, is to replace it.

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Cameron Orsich

Expertise

NOTE: MY EXPERTISE IS AUTO BODY...PLEASE limit your questions to the subject of GENERAL AUTO BODY PANEL QUESTIONS...you know: OlD Fashioned, Do It Yourself, By Hand, Back Yard, Under Shop Lights at 3:00 AM AUTO BODY QUESTIONS. I can answer auto body questions for any make, model, or year regarding replacing valances, door skins, fenders, etc... I can also answer questions on how to grind, weld, fiberglass, fill, paste and spray top coat, feather, mask, prime, paint (enamel, lacquer, base-coat/clear-coat), touch-up, melt-in, wet sand, wool polish, sponge polish, finesse, and much, much, more...to much to list here. I love air tools, but if you don't have any...no problem...as I can answer all your questions on how to achieve superb results doing it yourself...the old fashioned way...by hand. If you want a shop answer, go to a shop and pay someone to do it for you. If you want to take pride in doing it yourself, just ask someone who's been there and done that--me, Big CO. I'm available to answer general Auto Body questions for those whom want to do it themselves. Please...no collision, basket case, or train wreck questions. If you have something special that you want to fix, paint, or restore yourself; but don't know how, you've come to the right place...ask me...Big CO, the neighborhood know it all with the shop lights on all night

Experience

Having put myself and my brother through college in the late 80's and early 90's buying and selling over 250 cars. I restored my first car, a '72 350 Chevelle Malibu 4 barrel, in 1978 at just 16 years old. From there, I never looked back...usually restoring classics or sport cars: 340 Cuda's, 396 SS Chevelle's, Novas, Dusters, late 60's Mustang Convertibles, GTO Judges, 455 Buick Grand Sports, about a dozen 280ZX's ('79-'83)--the most recent, in July of '06, I sold a '83 280ZX on cars.com to a gentleman that flew in from Colorado to my state of Ohio just to purchase it from me. As for experience: Have replaced valances, door skins, fenders. Have grounded, welded, fiberglassed, filled, pasted and sprayed top coat, feathered, masked, primed, painted (enamel, lacquer, base-coat/clear-coat), touched-up, melted-in, wet sanded, wool polished, sponge polished, finessed, and much, much, more...to much to list here.

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