I have a red car that needs a paint job. The paint job is a long way off so i'll just have to live with it for now. However I have a white fender that is ready to go on. I dont mind installing it before it gets painted, however I'm not sure if just installing the white fender is a good idea. It kinda looks like crap with some black spray marks on it, like somebody painted the hood black on the car it was on before and didn't mask the fender off.

What should I do to this fender before I install it? I was thinking of sanding it down to the factory primer, then hitting it with a couple coats of krylon rattle can primer to make it an even dark gray/primer color. Will this suffice for the time being? I dont want to spend any money on it, at least no more than the cost of a couple sheets of sandpaper. I already have a couple cans of primer I could use. If this is the way to go what grit sand paper should I use? Is it ok to use an electric sander (think like high school wood shop) or should I stick to a soft block? Wet or dry? I know nothing about body work and I would like to learn as much as I can so I can keep the labor costs down when its time to get my car painted.

 

sand your fender with 240grit sont bother sanding down to the primer just sand the paint smooth

 

Then what? Primer over it? Is it better to sand by hand?

 

instead of painting it primer why dont you paint it red. it wont look great and itll start to fad but i think itll look better then primer gray or black. sand it down prime it then sand it down with fine sand paper and spray it red.

 

Will all that be acceptable to paint over when its time to get a paint job?

I think primer color would look better than red that is a different shade than the surrounding red. I have a door that is slightly darker red and it looks like crap, I would rather have it primer.

I can always change my mind though I guess.

What do you mean "fine" sand paper? Like 220/400 or are we talking like 1000 or 2000?

 

If you prime it you have to seal it or it will absorb moisture and you'll have to redo it before your paint job anyway so I'd say just paint it red. Red definitely looks better than primer IMO- really no comparison.

 

dont use machines when sanding sand it by hand with a sanding block i knows its a little bit of elbow grease but the results are better down the road if your not doing any body work or rust repair on the fender then dont bother using primer just paint it red for know

 

if you prefer the primer look then paint it flat gray or flat black. like mentioned primer will not seal so IMO i would use paint.

 

^^^ rattle can primer will not seal; but acid etching epoxy primer will, but that'll cost you about $50

if u have the time, sand it down by hand, using 220 wet, or 180, use ur hand on the curved flares,a nd a block on the straight areas; dont sand through til the metal; just scuff it up quite well, then spray it red - for the time bieng

or you could go to a auto shop, or place that does media blasting; have it plastic media blasted and sand blasted, and sprayed in teh acid etching grey primer, for a total of around $65

 

Like they said block sand it down with 240 wet and prime it. I wouldn't rattle can it with red paint as it probably won't work good under a good paint job unless you sand all the rattle can paint back off. If you paint red with rattle cans make sure its laquer paint and not enamel.

 

From what you guys are telling me I would be better off just putting the fender on with the factory white paint thats already on it and not touching it till its time for a paint job?

 

Thats what I'd do for the time being. If you're going to get it painted in the near future you're just causing extra work and expense by priming it. But if you can't stand the white fender then prime it. Just my opinion. Good luck

 

I've decided just to leave my dented red fender on until I get my car painted.

 

there ya go, wise choice.I am kinda in the same boat as you darkshot,but I had 2 replace both fenders on my car (currently awaiting exh.&paint) I do have both fenders painted on the back side completely though.I already have the paint thats going on my car on hand which makes things a little easier.I just washed both of the fenders thoroughly (soap&water) light wet sand with 320 grit& sprayed them. By the way, the car is black,1 fender is red & 1 is white that was my concern on the install now everything is ready 2 go back together &I think everything will turn out great, i mean ,no white or red spots in engine compartment after painting