Fender Covers.

[wormwood]

Fender Covers.

I've never used a fender cover for fear of getting something under it and unknowingly grinding away at my paint in ignorant bliss.

Do you use a fender cover when working on your car?

If so, any tips about what to look for in purchasing/care?

Thanks!

 

[paullie]

i use them, i have two of them, a craftsman one that came with my creeper, the top of it is magnetic so it stays put, and the other is a monkey wards. i just make sure nothing is under it and then use my magnetic bolt trays on top of them so they dont move

 

[Outlawmws]

I have two "Holley" Fender covers from the 70's but the cars I have today don't have enough of a fender to let them work very well, so I don't use them hardly ever, and they are hung an a clip type pants hanger on a wall hook... Keep the underside wiped down and you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I use big blanket.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

i use them, i have two of them, a craftsman one that came with my creeper, the top of it is magnetic so it stays put, and the other is a monkey wards. i just make sure nothing is under it and then use my magnetic bolt trays on top of them so they dont move

cute weiner dog...looks to to be a pup?

 

[70Chevy]

I use thick bath towels and often use masking tape inside the engine compartment to hold in place.

Fender covers just look scary to me on black paint.

 

[wormwood]

I use thick bath towels and often use masking tape inside the engine compartment to hold in place.

Fender covers just look scary to me on black paint.

That's prob the best idea, with the tape its not sliding off all the time.

 

[Dust]

My shop provides large soft cloth towels, and I use binder clips to hold it in place.

 

[RECox286]

I found that a fender cover works well to cover the lathe when not in use.

Keeps the dust off of it.

Uncle Bob

 

[Humble Mechanic]

I don't, but I make every effort to not work over the fender. We have cloths that we use. I do use them from time to time.

VW has the fancy padded ones, but my shop doesn't have them. The one of Beetles weighs a ton, and the padding gets all messed up.

Wear proper clothing and don't drop stuff.

 

[Ign]

Thread REVIVAL!

Let's assume my dirty Carhartts with grease, abrasive dust and RIVETS will do more damage than the potential dust under a cover. I'm not working on show cars, just newer trucks.

Recommendations on brands? For working on 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks do you prefer magnetic or not, and why?

 

[eriksalo]

I have two "Holley" Fender covers from the 70's but the cars I have today don't have enough of a fender to let them work very well, so I don't use them hardly ever, and they are hung an a clip type pants hanger on a wall hook... Keep the underside wiped down and you shouldn't have any issues.

I have had exactly the same experience. My old American muscle cars needed fender covers. The new cars don't have any place to put them.

Haven't used a fender cover in years!

 

[gpalmer77]

+1 on bath towels.

 

[Lotek]

Big towels make good fender covers, wash them every once in a while, magnets are bad, tape them on with blue masking tape if they fall off. I have a pair of old Snap On ones in good shape I just found in the garage, they don't work for most modern cars. I usually I try to use fender covers any time I am leaning over the fender, it only takes a little scratch to ruin your day. I consider it a part of doing a professional job.

 

[GTO]

I'm looking for a couple of thick plyable rubber mats.
They seem to work better than the old fender covers.

 

[Ign]

Big towels make good fender covers, wash them every once in a while, magnets are bad,

Why are magnets bad? Again I'm working on trucks which are definitely used as trucks, I just don't want a pant rivet rubbing or scuffing a noticeable/large area during a bigger job which requires repeat trips to the engine bay.

 

[richfinn]

Why are magnets bad? Again I'm working on trucks which are definitely used as trucks, I just don't want a pant rivet rubbing or scuffing a noticeable/large area during a bigger job which requires repeat trips to the engine bay.

Have you considered changing your pants


....To some without rivets/belt buckles/zips

 

[richfinn]

The only time I have used covers was when fitting engines.

We used to use big rolls of bubble wrap doubled over and taped with duct tape inside the engine bay and under the car and then trimmed it to fit.

 

[RCStocker]

I use fender covers and old soft towels on good paint jobs.
I am tall and I don't ware a belt. I hate them but the brass snaps on my jeans will scratch everthing. I need to be careful. I have leaned on fenders and started to push them in.

30 years ago on the larte Bens I once used string to tie town the trunk to hold it down whe I put furnitue in a clients car. The string started to twist and bend the trunk. I am a sailor and know my knots. I let the string go and it went back but had I not been looking the twine would have totaly bend the trunk deck. I had it hooded through the latch. If you close it is a great place to put a bungie or roap.

Then again I only change plugs, wires and filters on the fleet. I never keep anything long enough to really do much repair.

 

[Ign]

Have you considered changing your pants


....To some without rivets/belt buckles/zips

I might do hot works for a couple hours, then wrench on a vehicle, then back to hot works. If I'm running wiring under the vehicle (and often from the engine bay - hello fender) I prefer double front carhartts for moving around on concrete. Then I might return to hot works. I rarely feel safe without heavy pants and steel toe boots anytime I'm in the shop.

Changing clothing is impractical. Coveralls too dangerous for hot works. Was looking for tech on fender covers.

Furthermore as I stated earlier rivets are not the ONLY issue. My pants may very well have abrasive dust on them, ie from abrasive consumables such as grinding discs. Very often they're greasy, which will show up on white fenders for sure. Even if you were wearing fleece sweat pants it does not address the issue of dirt or abrasive dust.

 

[richfinn]

I might do hot works for a couple hours, then wrench on a vehicle, then back to hot works. If I'm running wiring under the vehicle (and often from the engine bay - hello fender) I prefer double front carhartts for moving around on concrete. Then I might return to hot works. I rarely feel safe without heavy pants and steel toe boots anytime I'm in the shop.

Changing clothing is impractical. Coveralls too dangerous for hot works. Was looking for tech on fender covers.

Furthermore as I stated earlier rivets are not the ONLY issue. My pants may very well have abrasive dust on them, ie from abrasive consumables such as grinding discs. Very often they're greasy, which will show up on white fenders for sure. Even if you were wearing fleece sweat pants it does not address the issue of dirt or abrasive dust.

I was just kidding

Although thinking about it, you could try keeping a clean workshop apron for delicate work. if you cant get along with the wing covers.

We call fenders wings in England, Fenders are what Jimi Hendrix played

http://www.mechanix.com/shop-apron heres a link to an apron

 

[WWIIjeep]

We call fenders wings in England, Fenders are what Jimi Hendrix played

And Wings is where Paul McCartney played after the Beatles broke up.


I still use old-style Snap-On vinyl-covered sponge-rubber fender covers. Sometimes with a towel underneath, depending on the paint job.

 

[bsaint]

My Matco fender cover has a pocket so you dont use the hood channels for holding stuff. (Before this I left a Streamlight DS on my fuse box from MA to NJ and back)

 

[Vvmvbb]

Towels for me too. Folded lengthwise so thicker.
I have used old carpeted bath mats in the past since they were grippy.
Maybe I'll try the old yoga mat I've been hanging on to in the rafters.