Fender covers for engine work

ZoomZ · 01-29-2020, 03:22 PM

What are you guys using?

What are some good ones you've seen or used?

TIA

ZZ

LennyK · 01-30-2020, 09:17 AM

Towels & Blankets

SouthArk370Z · 01-30-2020, 09:44 AM

From my experience and watching others, fender covers work very well the first few times you use them. Then they get dirty on the fender side and start doing more damage than using nothing at all. Since the outer surface is plastic, you can't wash them and cleaning by hand is a PITA. YMMV

A good coat of wax and some clothes that won't scratch paint have worked well for me. For those rare occasions when I feel the need to use a cover, I'll grab a soft blanket out of the closet and throw it in the washer when done.

crazy4oldcars · 01-30-2020, 09:59 AM

Harbor freight moving blankets.
They're $4 on sale. Dirty ones get repurposed to dog beds.

Kirk B.

gbrettin · 01-30-2020, 11:23 AM

I took my fenders off because I'm doing extensive work. You could use Glad Press and Seal for protection.

JARblue · 01-30-2020, 11:33 AM

Painter's tape would work as well.

I'm just being careful around my exposed fenders. They will get a nice compound and polish once the car is running again. Fender covers get dirty too quickly from what I've seen - I would definitely never want a shop to use them unless they are brand new.

ZoomZ · 01-30-2020, 11:56 AM

Thanks for the input guys. Consensus is not to use them. There are some that are washable. I'll invest in some large microfiber towels.

SouthArk370Z · 01-30-2020, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZ

... I'll invest in some large microfiber towels.

Be careful about which uf towels you get. Some use thread for the hem that can scratch paint. Plenty of recommended brands in the Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair section.

LennyK · 01-30-2020, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZ

Thanks for the input guys. Consensus is not to use them. There are some that are washable. I'll invest in some large microfiber towels.

Cotton Is Your Friend

Quicksilvers · 01-31-2020, 05:38 AM

+1 Been using Harbor Freight moving blankets for years when working on my Z I just cut them to fit over the 370Z fender it works very well.

Ultrakla$$ic · 01-31-2020, 05:49 AM

I use VERY THICK blankets! The ulnar bone in the forearm is VERY sharp when rotated so when you lean on the fenders in any fashion with even the least amount of weight pressing downward, you can and will likely cause unwanted body waves in those areas on top of the fenders! I can buff scratches out, but dents don't buff out!!

God-Speed · 01-31-2020, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZ

Thanks for the input guys. Consensus is not to use them. There are some that are washable. I'll invest in some large microfiber towels.

Just FYI. Never wear a belt and wear a soft long T-shirt.

BettyZ · 02-02-2020, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God-Speed

Just FYI. Never wear a belt and wear a soft long T-shirt.

Rusty, Zingston, and especially Spooler swear by only wearing speedos while working on their Zs. #thoughtstoconsider.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

cv129 · 02-02-2020, 02:04 AM

Scratches to clear coat WILL happen if any dust particle is being rubbed against the clear coat. Doesn’t matter if the blanket/towel is thin or soft or thick or edgeless, you lightly rub the softest towel against a panel with dust, you will scratch the clear coat, no if and but about that.

Your best bet is something that clings onto the panel and not move/rub against it, even if you are leaning on it. Saran Wrap works amazingly well in this regard, especially with a little water (it won’t protect the panel from dents however). A better looking alternative but doesn’t cling as well would be the below

Making sure the panel is clear of dust and dirt is always a good start, whatever you decide to cover it up with.

01-29-2020, 03:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZoomZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 714 Drives: 17' 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 40312	Fender covers for engine work What are you guys using? What are some good ones you've seen or used? TIA ZZ

01-30-2020, 09:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
LennyK Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Mountain Top Posts: 268 Drives: 370Z Roadster 2010 Rep Power: 207	Towels & Blankets SouthArk370Z likes this. __________________ *** ROADSTER * TOURING * 2010 * PLATINUM * GRAPHITE * * Z * NISSAN * 370Z * NISSAN * Z ***

01-30-2020, 09:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	From my experience and watching others, fender covers work very well the first few times you use them. Then they get dirty on the fender side and start doing more damage than using nothing at all. Since the outer surface is plastic, you can't wash them and cleaning by hand is a PITA. YMMV A good coat of wax and some clothes that won't scratch paint have worked well for me. For those rare occasions when I feel the need to use a cover, I'll grab a soft blanket out of the closet and throw it in the washer when done. Ghostvette and LennyK like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

01-30-2020, 09:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28412	Harbor freight moving blankets. They're $4 on sale. Dirty ones get repurposed to dog beds. Kirk B. Dahawkster, Quicksilvers, MZ DAIZY and 1 others like this.

01-30-2020, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Painter's tape would work as well. I'm just being careful around my exposed fenders. They will get a nice compound and polish once the car is running again. Fender covers get dirty too quickly from what I've seen - I would definitely never want a shop to use them unless they are brand new. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

01-30-2020, 11:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,237 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 542172	I took my fenders off because I'm doing extensive work. You could use Glad Press and Seal for protection.

01-30-2020, 11:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
ZoomZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 714 Drives: 17' 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 40312	Thanks for the input guys. Consensus is not to use them. There are some that are washable. I'll invest in some large microfiber towels. MZ DAIZY likes this.

01-31-2020, 05:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25462	+1 Been using Harbor Freight moving blankets for years when working on my Z I just cut them to fit over the 370Z fender it works very well. ZoomZ likes this. __________________ Mr. Clean

01-31-2020, 05:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ultrakla$$ic Base Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Lowsyana Posts: 131 Drives: 2014 370z Touring A7 Rep Power: 10071	I use VERY THICK blankets! The ulnar bone in the forearm is VERY sharp when rotated so when you lean on the fenders in any fashion with even the least amount of weight pressing downward, you can and will likely cause unwanted body waves in those areas on top of the fenders! I can buff scratches out, but dents don't buff out!! cv129 and ZoomZ like this. __________________ 2014 370z Sport Touring 7speed AT/QAB PEARL WHITE TRICOLOR/HKS MAX IV GT COILOVERS/VICREZ SPLITTERS/TEXAS DRIFTER SPOILER/GTR START BUTTON/AMSOIL OIL & FILTER/K&N DROP-INS

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