I need to roll the rear fenders on my V8 RX7.
The bat I have is too small. Will 3" steel exhaust tubing be strong enough?
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May 28, 2011 11:06 p.m. rmarkc Reader
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May 29, 2011 12:14 a.m. unevolved Dork
I know this isn't the answer you're looking for, but have you tried finding a fender roller locally?
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May 29, 2011 7:13 a.m. Tom Suddard SonDork
Either buy a new bat or find a real fender roller. I wouldn't use steel exhaust tubing because it'll really, really scratch the paint.
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May 29, 2011 9:00 a.m. turboHLS30 Reader
I agree with both of them. If you don't care about the aesthetics and just want to fit tires then you can use a ball peen hammer. If you're good with it, it will come out nice. Otherwise find a real fender roller.
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May 29, 2011 9:30 a.m. mndsm SuperDork
PVC works too, if you get the fender good and hot. Otherwise yeah, just find a fender roller. I actually went and bought one this year, because all my friends/gearhead acquaintences were renting the damn things constantly, and I figured they might as well rent it from me :D
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May 29, 2011 11:27 a.m. ditchdigger HalfDork
I have used the eastwood fender roller and even built a few versions of it myself.
You know what? I hate them and would rather use a steel pipe every time. I am not sure where the world got the idea that they are the proper way to do the job but they kinda suck.
Have you ever seen a wheel arch that was perfectly round? Nope they don't exist. Constantly resetting the roller and working 3 inches of the lip at a time is a nuisance. They are also useless on thick heavy metal like the rear arches of E30's or MK3 VW's.
I can roll all 4 lips on a car on the ground in the time it takes to pull the wheel and bolt the eastwood POS to the hub.
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May 29, 2011 11:31 a.m. wheelsmithy Reader
Just an opinion-plastic dead blow hammer, and go slow. PS, ditchdigger, thats good info.
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May 29, 2011 11:46 a.m. LopRacer Reader
I've used the aluminum bat method to mixed success, that has more to do with my learning curve than the method, and I have recently used a 2 1/12 foot length of Roll bar tubing probably ~2'' diamter. It doesn't flex as much as the bat did. I have heard that you have to keep the paint warm to keep it from cracking, lesson I learned the hard way.
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May 31, 2011 9:37 p.m. 4eyes HalfDork
I used duck-billed vice-grips and a thick piece of leather. But I was re-painting after.
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May 31, 2011 11:32 p.m. johnhammer New Reader
The only times I've ever had to roll a fender were at the track, so the handle from my jack had to make do!
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June 1, 2011 6:25 a.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork
I used a tree branch on the side of the road once. The F150 pushed the fender into the wheel on the MR2 (RIP) and that got the fender off it so I could limp home. Damn F150's.
Before that, though, I used an aluminum bat on that car. And I've used PVC pipe on the Truck.
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June 1, 2011 6:31 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
I have used fender rollers like pictured above in the past... junk. I finished the job with a rubber mallet, a chunk of wood and a buddy with a heat gun.
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June 1, 2011 6:46 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork
Hammer and rolled up newspaper or magazine to protect the paint
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June 1, 2011 8:18 a.m. mndsm SuperDork
I dinno why all the hate for the Eastwood, used mine several times already along with more times in the past, and I don't find it to be difficult at all. Sure it's slower/more tedious than the bat/pvc/stick on the side of the road trick, but I kinda like it, because it makes it harder for me (at least) to screw it up. Plus people like renting it from me, and then I make money. I like money.
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June 1, 2011 5:12 p.m. rmarkc Reader
I ended up using the bat I had. I was able to get a little roll with it, enough to drive without gashing the new rear tires.
I chipped the paint a couple times but, if you've seen the pics of the 83 GSL in my profile, you know the paint is the least of my concerns at the moment.
