Compound curves suck

[tRustyK5]

Decided I'm gonna run an older stepside box on my Crewcab project. Specifically a '58 GMC stepside box I already had. It spent about 15 years as a utility trailer...so the fenders although relatively rust free were pretty rough.

I figured it was a good opportunity to learn/practice body work. The goal was decent fenders, not show quality. Working the compound curves into decent shape again is very time consuming, and at times frustrating. Hard to use a block for sanding, or even a board. Good way to get flat spots.

I'll put up some pic's later of the fender that was the roughest. It's just in primer...it had a really bad dent at the body line.

Rene

 

[Blue85]

Yes, it takes forever! At least for a novice like me. The best bet is a curved or flexible sanding block. You may need to build a block with the shape of the fender curve and attach paper to that. Since you have to sand in multiple directions to avoid waves/ridges, go the other way with a regular flat block.

 

[tRustyK5]

I have both fenders done now. Used my DA random air sander with some very fine paper, and got the largest 'flatest' parts really good with that. The really curvy parts (front and rear corners) I found sanding by hand in a circular motion gave me the results I needed to see.

I'm a complete novice too, so the amount of time it takes is is almost embarrassing but I figure it's the only way to get better at it.

The remainder of the work I need to do is dirt simple compared to bring these two rear stepper fenders back from the dead. My doors, front fenders and cab are all straight and aside from some very minor rust in the rockers everything else is rust free. Mostly a matter of stripping them down and taking care of minor imperfections.

I should have taken 'before' pics of the rear fenders. At any rate I will post up a couple of quick pics of the pair of them in primer.

Rene

 

[GRINCH]

I use a somewhat flexible long board (16") and a flexible rubber block. 2" x 8" .
I did learn that sharp fresh paper is the best using a light touch. A rag under your hand helps you feel the low/high spots better also.

I still end up with more on the ground. I won't even admit to how much time it takes either. End result is always good. You can see some of it in my build thread in the first gen section.

 

[tRustyK5]

Yeah, I know I sanded off about 95% of what I put on...lol

Snapped a pic of each fender...but grey primer isn't very photogenic.

passenger fender.

Driver's fender

Rene

 

[lectric80]

Those look good Rene. I am enjoying learning more about what is coming up in getting my Blazer ready for paint.

 

[RudyO]

90% seems to be the norm, lol. Think those fenders turned out real good. I take it you are using the pink Bondo? The type of putty will definitely make a difference. I'm playing with that now. I just switched to Duraglas, and I think it will be a way better product. Fibreglass impregnated, waterproof, but think it will last a lot longer. Will take a little different technique to shape it since it dries harder.

 

[ryoken]

awesome product, been using it for years, heck, there's some in my firewall...