Fender Rolling

BLKGTO · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 01:20 AM

Hey guys.

This is gonna blow my surprise but I need to roll my fenders to fit some ahem, WIDE tires on the back of the goat. Does anybody have any experience in doing this? I can rent a fender roller but some guys are also saying they used a bat and that worked fine. I know I need a hair dryer to heat up the paint so it doesn't crack. Just looking for some help here as the new tires will be here soon.

Thanks!
Rob

astroracer · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 10:51 AM

Hey Rob, I have always used a bat.. I have never heated the paint with a hair dryer... If you go slow and roll the lip in small steps the work should never effect the outside of the wheel well.
I start by jacking the car up (on the diff housing) then use the narrowest part of the bat to start the roll. Most of the time I have to start with a broom handle to get the bat to fit. To start, simply wedge the "tool" between the lip and the tire and spin the tire (by hand) to "roll" the tool around the lip. Do this a number of times until the tool is loose. If you can get the bat in there use a slightly larger section of the bat to do the next "roll". Keep doing this, moving to larger sections of the bat, until you get the clearance you need. Go slow and let the tire/bat combination do the work. It won't take long once you get started. I can usually do both sides in 15 or 20 minutes...
Mark

BLKGTO · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 01:27 PM

Mark,

Where exactly in michigan are you located? can you help me with this? I am in novi but am willing to drive almost anywhere for some help.

Thanks

Rob

astroracer · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2006, 02:04 PM

Hey Rob, I live in Byron, southwest of Flint. You can do this if you take your time. Go slow and, once you've done a couple of rolls, you won't believe how easy it is...
If you don't want to try it Byron is about an hour and a half north of you west of US23...
Mark