Thread: Rolling my fenders

I have an 2004 Grand Prix GTP she has 20x10's with spacers on her, before I put the rims on I wasn't aware that I need to roll the fenders so friend + back seat lead to an ripped up tire, so before any other damage is caused I want to know how to roll correctly without demolishing my paint and damaging my car. Any tips, and suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance .

How long did it take you and where'd you start?

Within the 'how to' section there are two write ups on rolling your fenders. The fenders are easily enough rolled with a heat gun and a rubber mallet. You need the heat gun because you need to keep the paint HOT to the touch, but not hot enough to bake the crap out of it. This will prevent the paint from cracking, which WILL peel. You want it to be too hot for you to hold onto, but touching it for a moment is okay. Now, temperature is relative, so don't go overboard. I have personally rolled all the fenders on the car this way and it is no harder than whacking the fenders a bunch of times. Start out hitting the fender lip SOFTLY and get harder. You have to find out how hard you have to hit the fender lip to bend it because no one can describe it exactly to you. Start in the middle and work your way out, but make sure to keep the bend even all the way across. Don't bend the middle in before the sides, go back and forth and do the WHOLE FENDER all at once. This will prevent the fender from creasing anywhere. It might take a while, but once you figure out the first fender, the other three are easy.

Rolling your fenders will give you a bunch of clearance for running a wider wheel or bigger tires in comparison to how they are stock. You gained yourself at least an inch more of room. However, if rolling your fenders does not clear the wheel and tire setup you are trying you run we have to go for more drastic measures: pulling the fenders. If you want to pull your fenders I HIGHLY suggest using a fender rolling tool (reference the 'good' link for fender rolling, its option 2). You can rent these tools online as well as buy your own if you're really looking to spend a big chunk of money on a tool youll use once. Just go to google and search 'fender rolling rool rental' and a bunch of places will pop up. Getting the tool is up to you.

What you want to do is to gradually tighten up the fender roller up and roll it back and forth on the fender. Using it to roll the fender is easy enough, but to ROLL the fenders you need to take it a step farther. Continue to tighten up the rolling tool and rolling it until you 'flare' the fender. This will give added clearance for your wheels. How much you want to pull the fenders is up to you and your needs. Once you go far enough you WILL end up creasing the fenders or making them 'wavy'. Only run as much pull as you need. Also, remember that even with the fender rolling tool you STILL NEED HEAT. REMEMBER YOUR HEAT GUN.