28-29 Splash shields

Russ/40

Russ/40

Well-known member
I'm having a heck of a time trying to get my splash shields straight. How are the re-pops as to quality and fit?
 
I just did a set of originals and they turned out nice. They had some moderate denting and rust holes. It took a while to restore them. I did the outside and inside both. I think you probably know to use a long board to sand the filler flat after you have used a body hammer and dolly to get the dents pretty well worked out. I think you should be able to restore the originals unless they were really beat up badly. There is a trick I learned from someone that does very good bodywork. Get some ABS plastic (1/8" thick) and cut a piece about the size of a paint stirring stick. Wrap sandpaper around it to do your sanding on curved and tight surfaces. It really works well as the ABS plastic bends a lot without breaking and follows the curve of the panel well.

As far as repros, DON'T buy the cheaper ones unless you don't care if they look like the originals. They don't have the indentations on the front and rear near where the fenders bolt on. I bought a set, not knowing that they were made cheaply and didn't look right. I still have them as I don't want to use them. I am pretty sure they were made by Howell's in Texas. Howell's doesn't make very good repro parts as far as I am concerned. I believe Rootlieb makes authentic aprons, but they cost a lot more than the cheap ones from Howell's - around $280 to $300 I believe, compared to about $200 for the non authentic ones. Hope this helps.
Rusty Nelson
Lakevile, MN
 
I tried using the repops on my 29 roadster from Brookville and had a tough time getting alignment of front fenders and bolt holes. I struggled with them for quite awhile and finally decided to remove them and replace them with the originals that needed some work. The result convinced me that reworking the originals and replacing some rotted areas was a much better trade off.
 
Loumo,
My thought are exactly like yours! Original parts - good, repro part usually bad!
Rusty Nelson
 
Guess I'll be banging on the originals. No perforated rust, just warped real bad from a badly sagging frame. Doing a driver, so I'll just have to live with my limited skills as metal shrinking and banging. I guess I can make them passable, on one side anyway.
 
when i restore dmy truck mine were so badley rotted and dented i had to get new ones i put my fingers though it as i removed them. got new ones i think from howells and i had no problems with them except that thepre cut holes were the body bolts go though in to the frame were off set one one I drilled new oles and was good to go. they fit like a dreem and look 100 percent origonal. I say if your splash silds are way to gone get repros and focis you attention to origonal fenders.
 
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