My Fender Bender Re-build Thread
 

Well, after 8 weeks, I can finally start fixing the fender bender.

Insurance check: $1,900

Projected Cost of Re-build w/ a few extra goodies: $750
Projected Profit off Insurance: $1,150

Tomorrow, I'm going to be dropping off my bumper that I'm sanding down myself and my new Headlight Mounting Panel to be painted. I started sanding down the current bumper a few minutes ago. I'm using an orbital sander with 180 grit sand paper. So far, it's turning out really well. It's gonna be a pain to do the areas that the sander can't reach by hand.

I have to sand down all the way to the Urethane bumper for the fender bender chipped away a good section of the paint clear down to the bumper surface.

Pics of progress:

View from side showing bent fender and progress of bumper sanding:
Attachment 26119

Side View of Sanding:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...DriverSide.jpg

Close-up of Sanded surface after wiped down:
Attachment 26120

Replacement fender. Paid $175 for it at a junk yard. Perfect paint match.
Attachment 26121

Looks good so far, bumper looks smooth. Gotta love it when you make a little profit off of insurance checks!

1 hour and 15 min. later...
Attachment 26117

Attachment 26118

I'm not looking forward to the areas I need to hand sand.

Good job on the fiberglass work.

almost done

Attachment 26115

Attachment 26116

you know they make sanders that can reach is tight spots...

but good progress and damn good profit!

Well I got the mounting panel and bent up fender off. I was able to get the fender off with only partially taking the side skirt off. Took me 2 hours. Here's some pics.

Started:
Attachment 26101

Why the headlight mounting panel needed to be replaced:
Attachment 26102

Mounting panel off:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...2/SL553718.jpg

Mounting Panel:
Attachment 26098

These bolts proved to be the hardest to get too for the fender. I had to take off all but one bolt and a screw from the side skirt:
Attachment 26099

Everything off and ready for the new fender:
Attachment 26100

Fender on now. Went on pretty smoothly.

Side View
Attachment 26095

Front view:
Attachment 26096

Color Match (hood left, new fender on right):
Attachment 26097

Looks great man! What do you plan to do with the left over money? If I were you I'd buy a set of chrome saleen rims.

save it. car's for sale, so yea. I did splurge and buy a Saleen deck badge and fender badges, but that's about it for the car.

Looks really good so far! :boink:

Put on my Saleen fender badges. Had to snap a pic real quick. I'm still missing the front bumper, and the car is filthy.

Attachment 26065

You should get a saleen spoiler to finally complete the whole car.

Make it look like this

http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/News...deejayscd7.jpg

http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/News...deejayscd8.jpg

http://mustangworld.com/ourpics/News...deejayscd4.jpg

This guy started off with a normal GT and did a full saleen clone on it, you should do the same.

And some Saleen rims.

I'm selling.

I've talked with DeJay multiple times. In fact, he lives less than an hour from me.

I was going to buy his Saleen hood scoop grille since they are discontinued and very rare. He bough the Extreme hood and so he was selling the scoop.

saleens look killer...

its too bad yer a flaming queer and are gonna sell it

:D I actually went to the body shop today to check it out while it was being baked. It turned out realllllly well. I'm gonna pick up the bumper later tonight.

idk, depending how it all looks brand new after I put it back on, I may keep it.

Then you may be straight:dunno:... or you may just be a a flaming queer...

Choose wisely grasshopper

dude. we keep on telling you, keep it!!!! if ur worried about how much gas is then just try to drive it less. or buy a beater

or just stop being such a damn hippy

Got the bumper back. Looks GREAT so far. I also re-spray painted the mesh inserts with a thicker, glossier, rust preventing paint.

Attachment 26031

Attachment 26032

DONE!

Attachment 26021

Attachment 26022

Attachment 26023

Attachment 26024

looks good but you still need to take that forsale sign off the car...:nunu:

Looks damn good and you have money in your pocket. And you want to sell it geez your crazy just keep it a enjoy how it looks now.

so youre saying theres still some hope for my car? haha

looks awesome, keep it!

Why'd you put the stock wheels back on? You getting new wheels? :topsecret:

Winter shoes :breakdancesmilie:

Ok, just makin' sure.

BTW: Good job on everything, sure looks like you did everythign right! :boink: