Fender rolling may seem a difficult task, but it’s not. Do you know how to roll fenders without a fender roller? In case not, this guide will help you.
Fortunately, there are various tools you can use to roll your car’s fenders instead of a fender roller. You will know them here, and how to use them. But you will require some patience as the process may consume much time. If you love working with your hands, this process will be a great DIY project for you.
If you are not confident in carrying out the process, look for an expert to do it for you. Otherwise, you may damage your car. The process entails the following;
How to Roll Fenders without a Fender Roller:
Before we jump into the first step, it is essential to note that the process requires time and patience. Conduct the process slowly, especially if it’s your first time. Otherwise, you’re likely to make mistakes that would cost your hard-earned money.
Step 1: Collect the Required Materials
Some things are mandatory to have to succeed in carrying out this procedure. The first thing to do is to collect them. You will require;
- Carjack
- Jack stand
- Baseball bat, aluminum pole, or hammer
- Heat gun
- An old or stiff toothbrush
- Container
- All-purpose cleaner
- Piece of cloth or towel
Step 2: Lift Your Vehicle
After assembling all the required materials, you need to lift the car. Before getting it into the air, you need to engage the parking, hand, or e-brake.
Next, use a car jack to raise it to the ideal height. When through, engage the jack stand in an appropriate location. Otherwise, the car may crumble down, posing a risk to you and itself.
Step 3: Prepare the Area to Get Rolled
Rollers may hide many obstacles, such as stones, that may harm you during the process. Therefore, it is imperative to prepare the area by removing and cleaning any dirt, particles, and debris.
Start by putting an all-purpose cleaner in a container. Then dip a stiff toothbrush and access the fender area. Start scrubbing the area of any dirt with the toothbrush.
It’s not a must you buy a new toothbrush. An old one will work out great. You can also use a small stiff brush from the hardware next door.
After removing all debris, dirt, and hidden dirt, inspect the area for optimal results. When satisfied that the place is clean, wipe it using a clean piece of cloth or towel.
Step 4: Insert the Bar or Bat
You do not remove the tire and wheel as you do when using a fender roller in this stage. They should remain attached to your car.
Then take the tool you are using in place of a fender roller. Align it along the lip to push it up to the fender.
It would help if you were patient and keen during this stage. Don’t rush by going full-retard straight away. A single angle at a time will work out great. After achieving the correct position, prepare to heat the area.
Step 5: Heat the Area
Heat is ideal in reshaping metal. After acquiring the required length, take the heat gun and burn the area. Heat also prevents the paint from cracking by making it more flexible.
The right temperature to use should be hot when touched but not to the extent of burning your finger. If you have a thermometer, measure approximately 50 degrees Celsius or 120 – 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, ensure the gun doesn’t come too close to the paint. Otherwise, the color will bubble. Keep the heat gun at a distance of approximately 7 – inches to 10 – inches. The idea is to warm the paint.
While using the gun, ensure you keep it moving constantly. If you rest it in one place, the heat will become too much for the paint, making it bubble up. Ensure the heat gun runs along part of the lip to be rolled until it feels hot when you touch it. If not, the outcome would be a shoddy job.
Whether using a bat or metal rod, ensure you wrap it with a piece of cloth or tape to avoid it coming into direct contact with the heat.
Step 6: Roll the Fender
In this stage, ensure the bat or metal rod goes in between the tire and the fender. For optimal results, you may need to jack your vehicle high enough.
You cannot accomplish this stage alone. It would help if you had someone drive the car slowly in the back and front directions as you hold and twist the bat in the exact directions.
As this happens, the rod or bat will spin around as it forces the metal to turn upwards. For best results, keep heating the area at the required temperature until the metal folds upwards to the required level. Unlike when using a fender roller, achieving the correct angle is tricky.
As a result, you get required to use more pressure. The thicker part of the bat will work out better. For the metal rod, it depends on its width; the thicker and robust, the better. Continue applying pressure until you get a simultaneous angle.
After you roll that part of the fender properly, proceed with the next one. Repeat the same process until the entire fenders have gotten rolled. When through, you will have successfully rolled your vehicle’s fenders without a fender roller!
With this method, mistakes are inevitable. You may chip or crack your car’s paint in the process. If that’s the case, sand the area with rust prevention methods. That way, the area will become free of rust and corrosion.
If you can’t access a bat or metal rod, you can use a hammer. But this style is a ghetto alternative and doesn’t do an incredible job.
The good news about this method is its simplicity. Any car owner can do it. You heat the area to roll and hammer it to the required length into the fender.
Conclusion
Fender rolling is essential for vehicles. It’s not a must to have a fender roller to roll your car’s fenders. You can use other tools instead, as explained above. As a car owner, it’s crucial to learn how to roll fenders without a fender roller.
As illustrated in the step-by-step guide above, the process requires patience. If you rush, you will end up with alarming results, and you may damage your car. It is recommended you set aside enough time for carrying out this process.
It would be best if you were careful with the temperature and distance of the heat gun when using it, as discussed above. You may make your car’s paint bubble when too much heat gets applied. Keep the gun in a constant move to avoid such. Also, use the recommended temperature to help bend the metal.
Though using tools other than a fender roller works out great, the results are not as neat as using the roller. If you have the budget, it’s better to own and operate a fender roller. If you can’t afford one or don’t have time to look for a fender roller, the above guide will help you out.