plastic vs steel fenders??

[dan galvin]

I am looking at fenders give your feelings and comments
thanks Dan

[madjack]

Dan, on various builds, I have used plastic, steel and fiberglass fenders...for sheer looks and cool factor, you can't beat the various retro fiberglass fenders available...but at 2-300 bucks a set, they are pricey...you can get steel fenders for under 40 bucks a pair(and paint is cheap) and for the money I think they are the way to go...plastic fenders are cheap as well but they just don't do much for me and can have problems with cracking that unlike the steel and FG fenders can not be repaired, making you have to replace them...stick with steel, unless you need or can afford the FG models....my 2cents worth.........
madjack

[Steve F]

Whats the TD going to be used for? I have Jeep Wrangler (TJ) flares on mine and only this weekend I dragged one against a tree when reversing. They are a flexible plastic and there was no damage to flare or TD. Fiberglass or steel would not have survived so well.

Cheers
Steve

[madjack]

Steve, you are right in consideration of usage...I didn't even think or the flexible flairs, when I was talking about the plastic fenders, I was thinking of the hard, molded plastic fenders that are common on boat trailers on this side of the pond.....
madjack

[dan galvin]

well i will be pulling it with my ford focis on the highway i live in flat lands

[Lgboro]

I haven't gotten far enough to put them on but I went with aluminum on my build. Seem strong enough to me and lighter than steel.

[Bristol Delica]

I made mine out of ply so that I could get them in the same profile as my weekender.

IanJ

[Creamcracker]

If you can't decide which way to go, and you have one of the commercial trailers with 12" wheels ... these can't be beat at the price...this is for a pair of fenders

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Plastic- ... 0293133413

Philip

[toypusher]

Dan, you did not state what size wheels???

[dan galvin]

a wide 12 in trailer tire

[toypusher]

You can try here for some nice fiberglass fenders: http://www.lilbear.teardrops.net/parts3.html#fenders

[jackdaw]

I think the fiberglass fender look great, but the cost + shipping made them out of my reach over here in the UK.

I made my own from insulation , and then fiber-glassed them. They needed filling and sanding several times before I was happy with them. It was a fair bit of work, but and very satisfying well worth the effort.
As we don't have many teardrops over here so I just made them the shape I thought looked right

I haven't made anthing out of fiberglass before , but wouldn't hesitate on making my next pair the same way for build 2.

From this;


x2



With a thiner piece added, held together with disposable chopsticks,
Shaped with course sandpaper;



Add two layers of chopped stranded fiberglass mat and resin;

1 days worth of filling and sanding;



Remove insulation;


Sprayed silver and fitted;



I think they probably cost somewhere around £20 in materials.

Sometimes you don't know what you can do until you give it a go.

Cheers Dave

[Sam I am]

Nice job on the fenders, Dave! They look good on the tear. Looks like you did a very good job building the tear, too!

[jackdaw]

Thankyou Sam.
I really enjoyed the build.

I looking to do a second tear next year, not because there is anything wrong with the first. Just because I really had fun doing it .

Cheers Dave

[dan galvin]

woooooooow Dave you have to much time on your hands looks great thanks all for the info
Dan