Fender Step by Step Guide

Prepping your Fender

Before we get started, make sure your vehicle was washed. If it hasn’t been washed, please watch the Prepping Your Vehicle module before continuing on.

Also, make sure you have your Slip and Tack solution mixed like we discuss in the All About Solutions module. It’s recommended to fill your Slip solution for every section of the vehicle so you don’t run out in the middle of a section.

Spray slip solution all over the fender. We’re going to ensure that all contaminants are off the surface. Using your #2 squeegee, glide gently from top to bottom. Now, you’re ready for the material.

Prepping the Film

It’s best to have a table when peeling the film from the backing paper. We recommend a 4 x 8 foot table. Remove the sticker and lay the film on top of the table. Orient yourself with the pieces. There should be a letter next to each piece.

Installation

Piece A

Spray slip solution on top of the film. Peel one side all the way to the half way point and as you peel, spray slip solution underneath the film. Lift the other side and do the same.

Spray slip solution on top of the fender. Grab Piece A by grabbing each side with both hands. Place it on top of the fender gently. Do the shimmy shimmy to ensure that there is enough slip solution. If it’s not moving freely, spray more slip solution underneath the film. Loosely align the piece so it’s all in the right places.

We’re going to tack #1 first. Make sure it aligns right to the side edges and the top. You are looking for this kind of margin shown here. Once you’re comfortable, you’re going to hold about 3″ out with one hand and lift the area and spray tack solution. A couple sprays should be fine since we’re just trying to flush the slip solution out. Gently place it down and double check that it’s still aligned. If it’s not, move it around until it is. Once aligned, use the push method to push the tack solution out of the area. Double check and try to gently move it to check that it is tacked.

Next, we’re going to align the area near the headlights. The alignment point will be the top edges of the headlight and the middle of headlight corner. Move the piece around until it aligns to the top edge of the headlight and the middle of the corner of the headlight. Keep in mind that we’re not stretching the piece since it is laying flat. Once you feel comfortable with the alignment, hold 3″ inches out with one hand and lift the area and spray tack solution to flush the slip solution out. Lay it down gently and ensure that it is still aligned. Once it is aligned, squeegee it out using the push method.

Lastly, we’re going to tack #3. Align the area using the same margin. Refer to this image for alignment. Once you’re happy, hold about 3″ out and lift the piece gently and spray tack solution to get the slip solution out. Gently lay it back down and double check that it is still aligned. Squeegee it out using the push method.

Now that we have the 3 tack points completed, depending on how much time has passed, we need to make sure the areas we didn’t tack are still good. Do the shimmy shimmy in both area 5 and area 4 to make sure that it’s still sliding. If not, spray underneath the area to get it to slide again. Don’t forget to spray on top of the piece so you have enough glide when you squeegee.

For area 4, split the area in half where the body line is. Double check that your alignment is in the correct place. Starting from the #2 tack point, we’re going to scoop the slip solution out of there and move it towards the middle so it doesn’t travel to the tack points. It’s important to meet in the middle when you have two tack points so you don’t stretch across if you only go in one direction. Once you collect all the slip in the middle, push it down.

For the upper area, we’re going to use the two hand push method and start BELOW the body line and push the slip solution out. This makes sure that you don’t leave any bubbles or slip solution in the body line where it often sits. Do this for the the whole area. Remember you’re not putting so much force where you’re dragging the material. The goal is to get the solution beneath out by gliding through the top of the surface.

The same goes for #5 area by splitting it in the body line. Check that your alignment at the top is where you want it to be. Do the finger test to check that it’s not overhanging.

We’re going to scoop out of the tack point #2 and to the middle of the piece and scoop out of tack point 1 and bring it to the middle. Then using the push method, we’re going to bring all the slip solution down and let gravity do its job.

Using the two hand push method, start from one side at the bottom of the body line, push the slip solution out the edge of the inner fender adjacent to the hood.

Using a dry and clean microfiber, wipe down your piece A and double check your work for contaminants and bubbles. If you see bubbles, spray slip solution on top of the piece and try to squeegee it out. Keep in mind that bubbles that are smaller than the size of the nickel will most likely dissipate with time so don’t worry too much about those.

Troubleshooting:

Bubbles: It is common for some bubbles to be there. Anything bigger than a nickel must be removed. Anything smaller will dissipate over time so it’s best not to touch those. If it hasn’t settled for too long, you should be able to squeegee it out. Just make sure you follow the same paths in the workbook and not towards a tack point. Make sure you spray on top of the surface to lubricate the surface so it can glide better. If it doesn’t come out, you can grab a #3 squeegee and use more force and quickly squeegee the section using the pull method. If that doesn’t work and it’s a large bubble, lift the film, spray a lot of slip solution into that area and squeegee it back down. When lifting the film, you should lift it 1-2 inches past where the bubble was.

Dirt or hair: Due to the static, sometimes dirt or hair can be underneath the film. If you want to remove it, lift the film and spray slip solution into the area. The best way to remove it is to do so without touching the film. Turn the nozzle counter clockwise to active stream mode. Using the stream mode, spray into the dirt and let it slide down. Inspect and repeat. If that doesn’t work, you can use the #2 squeegee and try to get it with the tip. You must make sure you have excess amount of  slip solution when removing dirt. Once you remove the dirt, squeegee it back down the same way.

Once you’re happy with it, grab your tack solution and spray all the edges generously with tack. This is how we’ll seal the piece. Then squeegee the edges out. This also helps prepare the next piece since it will seam with Piece B.

Piece B

Spray slip solution on top of the film. Peel one side all the way to the half way point and as you peel, spray slip solution underneath the film. Lift the other side and do the same. For the side with the autopilot, spray the bottom area first and then lift the top portion. This makes sure you’re not stretching the material.

Spray slip solution on top of the Piece B. Grab Piece B by grabbing the top of each corner with both hands. Place it on top of the fender gently. Do the shimmy shimmy to ensure that there is enough slip solution. If it’s not moving freely, spray more slip solution underneath the film. Loosely align all the piece so it’s all in the right places.

Piece C