camaro1122

iTrader: (1)

Hey everyone, im in the process of repainting my 91 camaro. When i bought the car about 3 years ago, i remember the owner at the time tell me the car was in a front end accident. When i bought it everything was fine and looked great but now i find the true damage from the accident. I remember the drivers side front end support behind the headlight was smashed up. Well now finding the fender was smashed as well, i cant figure out if it was the stock one from the accident or a replacement that was bondo'd to death. My question is did different year camaros have a more narrow fender flare to it? Or were they all the same? I may not be saying the correct word but im talking about the part on the fender that bends out to match where the wheel is. Im not sure on this one because the fender its self has a red color which was not the same as my car, so im not sure if he replaced it with another one but the different year fenders were not all the same or if he just bondo'd it until everything was flush and smooth which was very thick of bondo or a filler. Reason why i ask is because im going to buy another fender from the junk yard or somewhere and just want to make sure i get the right thing

sailtexas186548

iTrader: (2)

they are all the same

camaro1122

iTrader: (1)

So basically who ever fixed the car just filled the crap out of this fender?

91 Droptop

Man that is a lot of Bondo, fenders are so cheap

Blackdog36

iTrader: (3)

Yes, while all fenders will fit your car, certain year styles will only bolt up directly to your 91-92 ground effects. Don't quote me on this but i think later 80's Iroc will fit your 91-92 Z's areo ground effects. Other year fenders will work but require some re-drilling of holes for gfx. Also reproduction fenders are thinner and not the same as true originals. I have a bad passenger fender that I will have to replace. I bought an original and a replacement fender. I can easily tell that the replacement one is a lot thinner than the stock fender. Reproduction usually have a sticker on the backside. Take your time a find an original replacement that will work with your ground fx.

camaro1122

iTrader: (1)

Well now after sanding the drivers fender i found the same amount of bondo or filler from a ding. I really want to kill the guy that sold me this car!! It seems like he bought it from a unk yard, fixed it up a bit and sold it because its not looking to much better than those junk cars right now. The engine and tranny both die on me and now after 5000 dollars from fixing and replacing those things i find the car was just bondo'd to death to look good. But anyways im only finding used fenders for about 60 and up + shipping. Those reproduction fenders are only $100 and i atleast wont need to worry about FILLER. When you say thin, is it pathetic when you lean on it and it bends? Would you recommend buying it?

ZZ3 Z28

It's too late now but any time you're thinking of buying an older car, take a magnet with you to see if the metal fenders and body panels are really metal and not bondo. And yes, I would buy replacement fenders if the bondo'ed ones are trashed. Why spend hours and hours filling and sanding, plus the cost of the materials, when you can get a nice smooth replacement fender at either the same or maybe even less cost.

Blackdog36

iTrader: (3)

Reproduction fenders are not paper thin but you can tell they are thinner than originals. Repro's would work fine but try to get an original if you can. Usually find them for a decent price on craigslist. My car doesn't have bondo but due to prior owner, I have to replace many body parts from dents (hood, front bumper, passenger fender, passenger rocker panel and rear bumper). At least fenders are not too pricey for our cars yet.

camaro1122

iTrader: (1)

That is a really good idea with the magnet. Up until now i never would of thought of it, im going to check the car body and see what its like. I got the car when i was 14 and all i really knew was it looked nice and had a V8, now that i have done tons of work on it and finding all the problems, i wouldnt have bought it. Thanks for that tip

camaro1122

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, i found the drivers side for 75. The guy claims no rust or dents so i may take him for his word but im def doing that magnet test. Thanks for the info about the repro fenders. One last question, since you said you replaced many parts did you replace the door ground effects? Mine are cracking from the studs and im deciding if i want to fix them or find some on ebay and get them. What do you say?

Blackdog36

iTrader: (3)

Is it the driver rocker gfx or the small gfx strip attached to bottom of door? Can you post pics of gfx? Sometimes you can find decent used deals on these. You can buy them aftermarket but they get pricey. Although these style gfx's were only on 91-92 cars, even RS's came with them so they are still somewhat plentiful.

camaro1122

iTrader: (1)

Yes the little strip under the door, the tabs are just breaking right off. I know 3M makes a tab repair kit, but im not sure if its worth fixing. I think the cheapest aftermarket one i found was $200 and a pair of used ones on ebay are $125. Only problem i have with the used ones are since they are 20+ years old they could break like mine any day. Also im going to just order new fenders, i found them on craigslist but the seller wants 70-100 for fenders that have rust and who knows what kind of damage. You said there not like paper but overall would you say its still good quality thats durable? And would you recommend it to others?

travis401

iTrader: (1)

that a lot of bondo. whoever did that is either inexperienced with body work, or wanted it done quick and cheap. that looks like a good solid inch in some places.

most reviews on the repop fenders are they dont fit right without a lot of work. if you can get a gm fender youll be golden and itll bolt right up.