fender cutting vs. fender rolling...something many of us might benefit from

[bleek]

How much cleaner does rolling look than cutting? If one looks at the fenders that are cut...is it easy to tell that something un-stock is going on without getting under and kind of looking up into the fender?

Those of you who have cut them yourself...how hard was it and how did it come out?

[gibear2k5]

The front fenders are rolled from the factory - So I would guess rear rolled fenders would look stock to the lay person too.

I've seen a couple of real hack jobs done to the rear - but, have seen some real professional jobs. Either way from eye level standing within 6 feet you can tell the difference.

later -

[chaseg08]

Either way from eye level standing within 6 feet you can tell the difference.

later -

You can tell a difference how? In a bad way or a good way?

[radkon]

Pics of fender rolling gone bad in this thread

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7787 1

[ToddO]

I thought my recent rolling episode went well but now the fender is wavy. Not sure what I will do now. Tires don't rub though.

[chaseg08]

1. Can I use my 4" dewalt grinder to cut them?
2. What about the paint heating up?
3. What do I use to seal the egde?

[chance575]

1. Yes you can use this
2. Just dont keep the grinder in the same spot...keep moving it around
3. seam sealer or some body panel adhesive

[RealDeal]

Both ways have plusses and minuses. The bottom line is when you have to do it, you have to do it.

From my experience, rolling (if done correctly with heat like others have said) isn't a bad option if you don't need extreme clearance. The only reason I cut mine is because I needed to get mine done that day and didn't have a roller. Sometimes the paint can get stressed at the max bend in the fender and possibly crack. If it cracks... it's going to go wherever it wants to: potentially around the front side of the fender where it can be seen.

Cutting just doesn't look good from the underside of the fender, but it's not visible from outside the car, even if you're squatting down. It also allows you to cut as much as you want to. Mine is virtually non-existant, and I've got TONS of clearance in the back for my 275's. The good part is that you can control the paint cracking. Make a thin line down the fender to not only control cracking (much like joints in concrete) but to plan where you'll be cutting into the fender. The paint will be fine if you make this preliminary paint cut. The paint isn't bothered by the grinder going straight through the fender after that (heat, etc.) from my experience. You absolutely will have to touch up the inside of the fender with stones or some light grinding.

And be careful while cutting. I got lazy and got a tiny part of my fender where I didn't want to. You still can't see it from outside of the car, even while squatting down, though.

If I had to do it over again, I'd still cut mine. Paint cracking was controled, and I've got TONS of space. All I have to do is clean up the cut and paint on the inside. None of the cutting is visible from the outside even while squatting down.

[tripower]

What about compromising the rigidity of the quarter panel by cutting? It would seem that rolling won't compromise the strength in that area of teh quarter panel.

[Ls1Jeeper]

Yeah those look like ass ..... I'd just say cut it and be patient

[lvrpool32]

I cut mine....theres no way of knowing it didn't come from the factory like this.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/lvrpool32/D SC00848.jpg

Nick

[wild goat]

1. Can I use my 4" dewalt grinder to cut them?
2. What about the paint heating up?
3. What do I use to seal the egde?
I was told to use an air grinder with water, that way you don't heat the paint. I was also told that rolling will crack the paint, either now or later down the road. I'm going to cut them.

[RealDeal]

I was told to use an air grinder with water, that way you don't heat the paint. I was also told that rolling will crack the paint, either now or later down the road. I'm going to cut them.

I didn't use any water and still let the grinder run right through the fender. The paint didn't mind. But that's me, though. I'm special...hehe.

[chaseg08]

Thanks for answering my questions guys. Looks like I'll be cutting mine. I'm good at cutting and grinding. I can get surgical with that B$@#H.