How to Make Fiberglass Fender Flares
by Quyen Tong
Fender flares extend from the wheel well out to the fenders. Adding fender flares to your car can keep the mud off the body panels and add resale value to your vehicle. Making a fiberglass fender flare takes only a few supplies, but it also requires a lot of space, attention to detail and careful planning. Although tedious work, making your own fiberglass fender flares can save you money compared to purchasing them retail, along with the ability to customize them.
Step 1
Design the fender flares on a piece of paper with the measurements specified. Measure the distance from each side of the wheel well at the bottom and from the bottom of the wheel well to the top. From there, connect the measuring points to form a semi circle. You might have to do some tweaking to make the circle fit exactly. Draw out an actual size stencil to match up with the wheel well. Remember that the bottom of the flare must fit flush against the wheel well to properly attach it to the vehicle.
Step 2
Use a razor blade to carve a foam block per your design specifications. Keep in mind that the mold is the polar opposite of your finished product. Sand the foam with 180-grit sandpaper until the fender flares are nice and smooth. Cover the foam in Bondo and wait, until dry, before sanding with 220-grit sandpaper.
Step 3
Spray the polyester primer on top of the Bondo in even coats. Polyester primer is thick, unlike primers for paint. Follow the directions on the can to allow for the proper drying time. After the primer has dried, use 180-grit sandpaper to completely sand down the primer smooth. Continue to sand with finer grits until you are wet-sanding with 1,000-grit sandpaper.
Step 4
Wax the mold four times over a three- to four-day period. Apply tooling gel to the mold and allow it to get tacky before applying the resin. Separate the sheet of fiberglass into smaller fibers. Lay the fiberglass evenly on top of the resin and use a roller to remove the air bubbles. Repeat this step 10 times to ensure a thick wheel flare. Allow the glass to cure and the resin to dry.
Step 5
Pry the wheel flare out of the mold with a wooden mixing stick. You can use a knife or a razor blade to remove any protruding pieces of fiberglass.
References
Things You'll Need
- Styrofoam
- Bondo
- Sandpaper (180- through 1,000-grit)
- Polyester primer
- Molding wax
- Resin
- Polyester resin and hardener
- Tooling gel
- Plastic mixing cups
- Brushes
- Fiberglass roller
- Fiberglass mat
- Razor blade
- Wooden mixing stick
Warnings
- Always wear gloves to keep the glass and chemicals from sticking to your hands. Also wear a mask to keep from inhaling the fumes.
Writer Bio
Quyen Tong began writing professionally in 2006 when he launched a nutrition information website named Complex Nutrition. He has graduated from Purdue University with a degree in aeronautical engineering and has submitted technical papers regarding the NextGen project and future flight trajectories for air travel within the United States.
