Anybody have any luck rolling wheelwell lips?

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=6159&itemType=PRODUCT

 

That is the one I have seen, but I think I have seen it for closer to $150, somewhere. Might have been an attempted copy of that tool.

 

A friend of mine just did this for a customer that was concerned about the paint cracking. What he did was score the paint, just short of the outer corner, with a razor blade, so the paint would not crack on the outer surfaces. After rolling the lips, he painted over the cut with touch-up paint.

 

I only live about 10 miles from Eastwood and I go there on Saturday mornings fairly often. I was there 2 different occasions and seen them looking at damaged fender lip rollers and the guy told me they are not designed for quarter panels they are designed for fenders. The newer cars you might be able to get away with doing the quarters because of the thinner sheet metal. Just thought you should know because I don't think Eastwood would tell you that.

 

We mine with a hammer and some spoons, came it pretty nice and almost no paint chipped.

 

Those are "spoons" as in "spoon dollies", I am guessing, as opposed to kitchen tablespoons, teaspoons, and mixing spoons

 

i rolled mine after the paint and all it took was a small crescent wrench, a body hammer and a body dolly. i started SLOWLY bending the lip up in 1/4" movements until it was rolled up the max the wrench would do. then wrapped the body dolly in a wrag placed it on the outside of the fender and carefully hammered the lip until it was vertical. took about 20 min per wheel. i have heard of the bat trick but have never tried it. b.t.w.--- i am running 275-60-15's on my car and have no issues with rubbing now that i rolled the lip. of yeah i forgot to mention i did dip the wrench i plasti dip to coat the end so it would not mar the paint. good luck

 

THE key to the bat trick is,have some buddies sit in the trunk,and slowly roll forward.

 

So the bat roll between the fender and wheel with the weight of the car doing the work? You would have to have a low sitting car, or very big friends...

 

Wow good tips guys,i did the cresent wrench trick on a 5.0 stang once and it worked well,just wasn't sure on the older thicker sheetmetal,scoring the paint is a great idea i never thought of.Derek.

 

i am going to do it to my car.. before i paint.. that way no paint chips...

 

Well i clearenced the lips.Tried to roll them but got nervous,i wasn't comfprtable the way it was turning out so i got the zip disc out and trimmed the lips off leaving about a 1/4 inch.Then i got the mig out and tacked the edge to keep it strong.Smoothed everthing off with a flap wheel,masked,primed and painted the edge,then i put the wheel well trim back on and tapped the edge over with a soft face hammer so the chrome was nice and tight and it looks and works awsome.I'm very happy with the resaults.Derek.

 

The Eastwood roller worked for me, But im sure there are some people that could break a anvil. The key to the Eastwood tool is a little at a time.

 

Derek, how much room did you pick up with your method? any pics?

 

I picked up just enough room so that i don't have any more rubbing.Right now i have a set of L 60's on it and thats probably the tire size i'll stay with.The biggest thing was that like most pepole i didn't want it to look like i butchered it to fit.I'm pretty pleased how it came out.I'll post pics as soon as i can.Derek.