Scratched dented fender: how to repair
#1
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Scratched dented fender: how to repair
Wife dropped the bike and put a nasty little dent and scratch on the fender. It’s a Townie. Trek does not produce touch-up paint. We live in South Florida.
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#2
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Maybe a picture of the situation would help? Also what is the fenders made of? Painted metal, polymer coated, etc?
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#3
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Many fender dents can be pushed out using the handle end of a hard plastic screwdriver, working it back and forth from the inside of the fender. As far a touch up paint, we have been very successful mixing a custom col0r with Tester model paints like this set. https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Ho...s-Model%20Kits
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Adding a 2nd set for more of pastel type colors https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Ho...Set/p/80800174
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That's one of the nice things about "hammered" fenders; they don't show scratches and dents:
#6
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Nail polish comes in a multitude of colors for touch up matching
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The auto world has had to deal with this for ever. How to match paint and cover boo-boos. With a car that often has body seams and defines creases this goal is not too hard. But with a bike fender that has no surface element that can act as a boarder between new and OEM paint anything less than a complete respray is likely to show the touch up easily. Some decide that applying a decal or sticker, as trashy as it might look, is a better solution that an amateur touch up. Andy
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That is not just a scratch and dent, you need some body work and repaint the entire fender as Andrew R Stewart mentioned - Have you looked into buying a replacement fender? At least it looks like an easy color (battleship grey) to match
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Last edited by JoeTBM; 02-14-22 at 04:44 AM. Reason: added more info
#11
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Just did a quick google search https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Re...%3Asb&ei=UTF-8 and came up with a few possibilities including some ebay sellers
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#12
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#13
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Anything can be done! But I agree with you if you add "reasonable or cost-effective" betweeen "no" and "fix".
One approach is to reverse the dent with a plastic mallet on a bag of lead shot and once you have tire clearance, just ride it.
One approach is to reverse the dent with a plastic mallet on a bag of lead shot and once you have tire clearance, just ride it.
#14
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But I think the OP is interested in aesthetics -- in which case, the only solution is to get new fenders, unless a single replacement can be sourced.
I like the suggestion of a sticker. Maybe some reflective tape, which is nice on a rear fender from a safety standpoint, anyway.
#15
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Thanks everybody!
I’m most concerned about corrosion rather than aesthetics. Maybe clean it up as well as possible and put some clear tape on it? I’m planning on doing that to the downtube anyway.
I’m most concerned about corrosion rather than aesthetics. Maybe clean it up as well as possible and put some clear tape on it? I’m planning on doing that to the downtube anyway.
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I like Koyote's idea: reflective tape. Will look less like a$$. I'd actually bump it out. bondo amd sand it if you want, prime and paint to match as best you can, with a rattle can.
#17
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Is the fender steel or aluminum? If aluminum, I wouldn't be too concerned with corrosion. Unless you ride on the beach and into the edge of the salt water. But then, you'd be having other concerns sooner than just a fender corroding.
If it was mine, I'd not worry about anything as long as it functioned and didn't hinder wheel movement. The scratches as horrible as they currently look, eventually won't be noticed so much and will just be character for the bike.
If I had to paint it and make it look pretty, then I'd get some high build sanding primer and spray it on after first lightly sanding and feathering the edges of the scratches. Then sand it down to the original paint leaving the primer in the scratches. Then spray another coat of the high build sanding primer and then sand again, repeating till the scratches don't show in the primer.
Then I'd coat with the closest paint I could find in a spray can. They make spray cans for model airplanes or such and you can also check for spray can touch up paints at the auto parts stores.
If it was mine, I'd not worry about anything as long as it functioned and didn't hinder wheel movement. The scratches as horrible as they currently look, eventually won't be noticed so much and will just be character for the bike.
If I had to paint it and make it look pretty, then I'd get some high build sanding primer and spray it on after first lightly sanding and feathering the edges of the scratches. Then sand it down to the original paint leaving the primer in the scratches. Then spray another coat of the high build sanding primer and then sand again, repeating till the scratches don't show in the primer.
Then I'd coat with the closest paint I could find in a spray can. They make spray cans for model airplanes or such and you can also check for spray can touch up paints at the auto parts stores.
Last edited by Iride01; 02-14-22 at 05:37 PM.
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#20
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It's also possible to "botch it" by spraying the spot only keeping everything around covered in a plastic sheet or such. Or just let it be. Doubtful the uncovered material will corrode.
EDIT: I would have assumed they are all aluminium but unsure now, it appears some come steel too, would need to know the model:
https://electra.trekbikes.com/us/en_...olorCode=black
Last edited by am8117; 02-15-22 at 05:24 AM. Reason: typo
#21
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Also can't help it, but this is a great opportunity to repaint the fenders with completely different than stock colour and make the whole bike your unique own.
#22
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#23
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Since the damage is right near the bottom edge of the fender, you could consider masking off everything above the damage and sand and paint the damaged area a contrasting or complementary colour. I would also do the other fender to match so it is obviously a feature and not a flaw.
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I don't see what's a big deal. Looks like it's steel.
Sand the paint all off to half an inch above. Put something rubber under it and bump the dent out. Primer, paint and done.
Maybe fill the deep scratch first. Maybe paint white for nighttime like they did on old bikes.
Sand the paint all off to half an inch above. Put something rubber under it and bump the dent out. Primer, paint and done.
Maybe fill the deep scratch first. Maybe paint white for nighttime like they did on old bikes.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 02-17-22 at 10:32 PM.
#25
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I'd probably pull the fender off the bike. Then you could work on it with a hammer and dolly, or anvil. Get it as good as you can do.
Wire brush to clean off paint and down into the crevasses.
Then I think you need a sealer and some body filler, the repaint.
It may be difficult to get it perfect, but you might get it close.
An auto paint store should be able to help with paint matching, then make sure you feather the new paint into the old.
Overall, to get it really good will be a big project.
You may be able to get it banged out close, spray on a sealer, then go for the reflective tape.
Wire brush to clean off paint and down into the crevasses.
Then I think you need a sealer and some body filler, the repaint.
It may be difficult to get it perfect, but you might get it close.
An auto paint store should be able to help with paint matching, then make sure you feather the new paint into the old.
Overall, to get it really good will be a big project.
You may be able to get it banged out close, spray on a sealer, then go for the reflective tape.