auto body skilz?

[gkainz]

I bought a couple of front fenders for my '07 Dodge 2500 months and months ago ... finally got them painted weeks ago, and finally had some time to start the replacement process. So, anybody here have any tricks and tips for body panel alignment?

I have nice even gaps everywhere except between the fender and door right at the body line indent in the lower section. This is right at the mount bolt behind the door that can slide fore and aft. I believe I have the bolt slid all the way forward (but will need to double check that). What next? Shims between that bolt and panel?

Greg

 

[gkainz]

ok, I see - duplicate post, but honest! I edited the first to include pics! No idea why it duplicated. ... and now I can't find the delete post button. Might be a good day to step away from the keyboard and work on something I can't easily screw up.

 

[Clark1961]

ok, I see - duplicate post, but honest! I edited the first to include pics! No idea why it duplicated. ... and now I can't find the delete post button. Might be a good day to step away from the keyboard and work on something I can't easily screw up.

What would that be? I hear you are talented

 

[Ravioli]

Yah, I heard you had TWICE the skilz of the average PoAer

 

[gkainz]

back in my Navy days, one of the popular sayings was that a bos'n mate apprentice could 'eff up a deck plate with a powder puff. Feeling kinda like a bos'n mate this morning.

 

[Chip Sylverne]

First thing I would do is run some tape along the edge of that fender before you eff up your pretty new paint. Are there shims at the top of the fender you can remove to drop it down a hair, then shim up the top toward the front of the panel? Looks a little high to me.

 

[Zeldman]

First thing to do is fit the new body pieces before painting. Since that seems to be already done, then do as Chip suggest.

First thing I would do is run some tape along the edge of that fender before you eff up your pretty new paint.

 

[gkainz]

Tape is in place - thanks. No shims anywhere yet ... the original fenders were Mopar, the replacements are from China ... my hot rod buddy down the street warned me I might have fun with them - and then promptly headed south for the winter.

Now that I have more light and room - I think I'm going to be able to move them around for a "close enough" fit.

 

[Norman]

Tape is in place - thanks. No shims anywhere yet ... the original fenders were Mopar, the replacements are from China ... my hot rod buddy down the street warned me I might have fun with them - and then promptly headed south for the winter.

Now that I have more light and room - I think I'm going to be able to move them around for a "close enough" fit.

That says enough right there.

 

[GlennAB1]

First thing to do is fit the new body pieces before painting.

That's where the term "beat to fit, paint to match" comes from.

 

[gkainz]

qualified as bos'n mate today. Broke a bolt off removing the other fender. Then broke the EZ Out off in the bolt. A man's gotta know his limitations and I'm beginning to not enjoy this as much as I once did.

 

[Stevel]

I have a friend who will henceforth and hereafter always be known as "Bos'n Mate". One of the things that has been said about him is that you could lend him an anvil and it would come back broken.