Widened Fenders

[Shizuma]

Soooooooo, as most of you are aware widebody/fender flares for the Celica are fairly limited. This means if you want to run a wheel/tire combo that puts you much past a 255 you're out of luck or you're doomed to looking like an 80's lowrider. I plan on running a set of 16x12's that'll push the edge of the tire out about 3" past the stock fender location.

http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/Rear_Comparison1523.JPG

This is far beyond what the TRD or C-One flares will cover so I'm going to have to break down and fab some fenders. There's 3 ways to go about this:

1) Universal Fender Flares a la ZG/280Z Flares

2) Cut and widen the OEM fenders

3) Custom make new fenders from scratch similar to what's seen on the Wesport Celica

Soooooooo opinions? Previous experiance? Right now I'm leaning towards widening the front OEM fenders and running a universal widened flare in the back....

[XBernie]

I really want to see this happen. :)

[Gootz311]

Me3.

[Gtsjeg04]

Cut and add more material. I would snag up some fiberglass fenders on the cheap, put on the slicks and cut and paste till it looks and fits right. I hope you have spare axles lying around bc I run a 225 drag radial and **** **** up all the time. Good luck, your gonna need it to get that drive train to hold.

[celica_2nr]

go with option 2. damn those are wide ass wheels!

[Subxsonic]

you are crazy :eek:
use universal fiberglas fenders. i think u can save a lot of time.

[boothten]

I'm leaning towards widening the front OEM fenders and running a universal widened flare in the back....
That's what I was gonna suggest, I'd do that...
:shrugs:

[bman365]

I've seen a very simple method of widening front fenders. Basically they used the stock metal fender, cut a piece of wood in the shape they want it to flare out, mounted that then stretch some material and fiberglassed. This definitely beats trying to form metal or using foam to shape it.

You can either leave it like that and just cut out the extra metal from the inside or make a mold of that and make a total fiberglass part.

[Mido]

Justin might help you out..

[marc]

why ?

[lowredcruzr]

its a track car ^

[Shizuma]

I've seen a very simple method of widening front fenders. Basically they used the stock metal fender, cut a piece of wood in the shape they want it to flare out, mounted that then stretch some material and fiberglassed. This definitely beats trying to form metal or using foam to shape it.

You can either leave it like that and just cut out the extra metal from the inside or make a mold of that and make a total fiberglass part.

That's interesting, though I'll probably stick with just working metal....I've never really liked working with fiberglass as much.

[NRojas]

I've seen a very simple method of widening front fenders. Basically they used the stock metal fender, cut a piece of wood in the shape they want it to flare out, mounted that then stretch some material and fiberglassed. This definitely beats trying to form metal or using foam to shape it.

You can either leave it like that and just cut out the extra metal from the inside or make a mold of that and make a total fiberglass part.

that technique is called "fleecing" i think...here's an example of it doesn't seem too difficult and the results look pretty good

http://projecte30.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

[Subxsonic]

it`s very easy and the big advantage: you can creat each shape you want. i use polyurethane foam ( i don`t know the exact translation into english. i think insolating foam) for the basic shape and cut it how i want the shape. wood needs to much time ;)
BUT use breathing protection if u grind or cut the fiberglass. the grindpowder is smaller than asbestos.

[Shizuma]

it`s very easy and the big advantage: you can creat each shape you want. i use polyurethane foam ( i don`t know the exact translation into english. i think insolating foam) for the basic shape and cut it how i want the shape. wood needs to much time ;)
BUT use breathing protection if u grind or cut the fiberglass. the grindpowder is smaller than asbestos.

Yea, I've seen it done with that green floral foam before too...you have to lay down some kind of barrier on the foam first though to keep the resin from eating the foam mold....hmmmmm the only reason I was leaning toward metal was longevity issues: I don't know how long a fiberglass fender could get his by debris/cones and not crack.

[vegeta4ss]

Yea, I've seen it done with that green floral foam before too...you have to lay down some kind of barrier on the foam first though to keep the resin from eating the foam mold....hmmmmm the only reason I was leaning toward metal was longevity issues: I don't know how long a fiberglass fender could get his by debris/cones and not crack.
we used green floral foam on a behind the cupholder pod in a civic one time. Its not a bad method to get down a precise shape.

As rough as you are with things though Andrew, I would just say do the metal work. You'll end up teaching yourself more about it in the process which will probably help on some of your other ideas.

Are you going to work on this down in clemson or up in columbia? I might wanna come help if you get started after I move.

[Shizuma]

we used green floral foam on a behind the cupholder pod in a civic one time. Its not a bad method to get down a precise shape.

As rough as you are with things though Andrew, I would just say do the metal work. You'll end up teaching yourself more about it in the process which will probably help on some of your other ideas.

Are you going to work on this down in clemson or up in columbia? I might wanna come help if you get started after I move.

Yea I know, I've been through close to 2 Celica's worth of body parts as it is...this I'll probably do in Columbia, if you ever wanna come through a wrench or need some help on yours just pm me.

[Subxsonic]

later i post the complete how-to for using fiberglass and carbonfiber incl tempern.
i think the easiest way for you is using Prepreg.

[purerage]

green floral foam does not deteriate under fiberglass resin. only the cheap white foam will.

[Gtsjeg04]

green floral foam does not deteriate under fiberglass resin. only the cheap white foam will.

but if you dont wrap it, it will stick to the resin. I wrap my molds in aluminum foil. works great.

[bman365]

that technique is called "fleecing" i think...here's an example of it doesn't seem too difficult and the results look pretty good

http://projecte30.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

Yeah that's the one I saw...it was posted on a forum I get on though.

[bman365]

Prepreg has to be cooled until you are ready to use it..it's not something everybody is going to deal with.

You have to be really patient to get the foam shaped proportionately throughout..cutting wood doesn't take that long.

[Subxsonic]

@bman365: i`ve got some carbon leaves in my deep freezer. prepreg is for oven use. smallparts you can bake in your oven in the kitchen ;) 180

[Boosted2.0]

but if you dont wrap it, it will stick to the resin. I wrap my molds in aluminum foil. works great.

Yup. If you want the mold to be re-useable, wood base with bondo, then gelcoat, and then 5 coats of mold release wax works nicely.

(Used to work for a boat company for a while)

[wel_565]

Universal Fender Flares :headbang: just need some really good coilovers to go with that.

[Gtsjeg04]

Universal Fender Flares :headbang: just need some really good coilovers to go with that.

Yeah, not so much.

How is this going?

[blitzceli]

but if you dont wrap it, it will stick to the resin. I wrap my molds in aluminum foil. works great.


Thats why you use your head. Pour acetone on the foam and it will release all the air it contains. Simply wash it out after that.

Creating male mold aka "fleecing" is a not good. The parts will require alot more work to fit. This is the same concept as ill fitting replica kits. If your gonna make a mold, save yourself from extra work and create a female mold.

[Shizuma]

Yeah, not so much.

How is this going?

Finals this week:bang: then I get to go home and start working

[Gtsjeg04]

Creating male mold aka "fleecing" is a not good. The parts will require alot more work to fit.

You at least have to make it once to be able to make mold though.

[blitzceli]

You at least have to make it once to be able to make mold though.
Correct. The link posted above was overlaying kevlar to a male mold. You need to make the part then create negative or female mold from the original part. From there you cast the part.

[Gtsjeg04]

Correct. The link posted above was overlaying kevlar to a male mold. You need to make the part then create negative or female mold from the original part. From there you cast the part.

Yeah, and what. My post was in reference to making stuff from foam and or other things not to someones link 3 posts later.

[blitzceli]

I addressed your foam comment. The other comment was not directed toward you which is why I left a space inbetween each of the points. It was a general statement for those talking about positive molds.

[Gtsjeg04]

My fault, didnt notice the space. insert foot in mouth

[tiresmokindad]

Soooooooo, as most of you are aware widebody/fender flares for the Celica are fairly limited. This means if you want to run a wheel/tire combo that puts you much past a 255 you're out of luck or you're doomed to looking like an 80's lowrider. I plan on running a set of 16x12's that'll push the edge of the tire out about 3" past the stock fender location.

http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/Rear_Comparison1523.JPG

This is far beyond what the TRD or C-One flares will cover so I'm going to have to break down and fab some fenders. There's 3 ways to go about this:

1) Universal Fender Flares a la ZG/280Z Flares

2) Cut and widen the OEM fenders

3) Custom make new fenders from scratch similar to what's seen on the Wesport Celica

Soooooooo opinions? Previous experiance? Right now I'm leaning towards widening the front OEM fenders and running a universal widened flare in the back....

I suggest you should really widen your OEM fenders. It will looks good if you do it. :gap: