What happens when you bang up an F-body? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

In preparing my 97 SS for CMC next year, I have been thinking of selling the SS parts. As much as I love the look of the SS hood, I would be really upset if I cracked up an $800 hood. Plus, I could really use the money right now to put towards getting safety gear and a trailer.

That got me thinking, lets say I smack a tire wall or something. I have no experience with body work, but I plan to learn. What do you guys do when you bend a fender? Just hammer it out as best as you can? Eventually throw a new fender on? How do you handle other body panels like doors? What happens when it's more serious? Pay for a body shop?

Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect. From what I gather, the usual "wear" items will be bumper covers and fenders.

Thanks,
Steve

BTW, back in college (7 years ago), I helped a friend paint some T-6 airplane wings. I helped him build a paint booth in his hanger, and did all of the sanding and filling. So, I have an idea of how to get some paint onto some metal. I'm sure I'd be able to spray a fender or two. Sounds like it'd be kind of fun to learn.

Steve91T View Member Profile	Jan 10 2012, 06:50 PM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,038 Joined: 3-March 10 From: Huntersville, NC Member No.: 9,105	In preparing my 97 SS for CMC next year, I have been thinking of selling the SS parts. As much as I love the look of the SS hood, I would be really upset if I cracked up an $800 hood. Plus, I could really use the money right now to put towards getting safety gear and a trailer. That got me thinking, lets say I smack a tire wall or something. I have no experience with body work, but I plan to learn. What do you guys do when you bend a fender? Just hammer it out as best as you can? Eventually throw a new fender on? How do you handle other body panels like doors? What happens when it's more serious? Pay for a body shop? Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect. From what I gather, the usual "wear" items will be bumper covers and fenders. Thanks, Steve BTW, back in college (7 years ago), I helped a friend paint some T-6 airplane wings. I helped him build a paint booth in his hanger, and did all of the sanding and filling. So, I have an idea of how to get some paint onto some metal. I'm sure I'd be able to spray a fender or two. Sounds like it'd be kind of fun to learn.

Alien View Member Profile	Jan 10 2012, 10:01 PM Post #2
Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 83 Joined: 24-September 06 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 1,372	I had my car painted at Maaco for pretty cheap. I used factory '00 corvette colors. I also partly designed my paint scheme around body panels. GFX are all one solid silver, nose, fenders, doors, and rear quarters are solid blue. Roof and hood are two tone, but if those get damaged I've done something pretty bad. Fenders are cheap, and I have a few spare doors. Only needed to replace one fender so far, and got it painted at the same Maaco for someting less than $75. Slight dents in the door hammered out. And like Mitch said, the plastic bumbers can be massaged back into place too.