Hey Everyone..

Leo (DH) has been talking about getting a cover for putting over the edge of the car when he's working on it. I remember these from days gone by (some 35 at least) when my next door neighbor had his shop and always had the quilted pad that he leaned on as he worked on the engines. Quilts always make me think of Billy. Them and FRAM filters.

Anywhoooo... not having a wealth of luck finding such a product on the market in the usual haunts (AutoZone, Advanced, PepBoys etc.) and aren't even sure what to call it (Fender cover? Protector? Mechanic's blankie??? :tellme:

I was thinking this might be an opportunity to go "homemade" and do something special for the love of my life and possibly make him one. The only thing I'm seeing online are rubber (or appear to be) and I'm wondering if the quilted/cloth kind has become passe or if its proven to not be suitable to protect a decent detailing? Any idea?

Any suggestions for what I could/should make the "blankie" of (chamois? Quilting? fleece?) that would do the least amount of disturbing of the body detailing? Any suggestions for "add ons" (Would magnets on it make sense, or be a big no-no? - to keep it from slipping?)

Would love your input!

THanks

I would think you would have to put at least somekind of weight around the edge in case it windy out? or at least on the section for the engine compartment side

here is a link for fender covers http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=fender+covers&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=dVJgTNLxJoyCsQPPgpCrCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CEMQrQQwAg

here is even a better one.. in fact I think I'm going to order this for myself

http://www.bixlerscollectorsmart.com/servlet/the-744/chevy-chevrolet-elcamino-el/Detail

but they do appear to be a rubber type material, so a homemade one might be the way to go

Thanks Dave!

but they do appear to be a rubber type material, so a homemade one might be the way to go

Maybe I'll create my own rubberized with chamois... ideas are forming!!

:D

I bought a bunch of these fender covers from Summit Racing several years back. They're only $9 each. They are vinyl on top and foam pad on the bottom. It's cheap protection from scratches..

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/sum-3619_w.jpg

Mine are Snap-On.

Everybody pretty much quit using the cloth ones because they would soak up any spilled fluid instead of running it away from the paint.

I don't trust ANY of the commercially available fender covers except "Fender Gripper" covers. As far as I'm concerned they all can scratch except the Fender Gripper. They even sell it by the roll so you can make a complete bed liner like I did. It rolls up and is very light but protects the bed from anything I put in it. I also have smaller ones to cover parts of the car when working on it. Check them out HERE (http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Ssnake-Oyl&Category_Code=FENDER_GRIPPER_CAT)

Another plus.... they're Made in USA!

I've got a couple sets of the traditional foam-lined rubber ones from GM Goodwrench and Quaker State and I fear for my Camino's fenders every time I use one. I've covered the fender with a bath towel under the cover, but it takes a couple spring clamps to hold it so it doesn't shift or slide off. Then there's always the extra material hanging in the engine compartment
This thread has got me thinking. Here's my possible idea:
Take a conventional cover and cut it off about 2" past the pinched lip on the underhood side. Sew or glue a couple computer hard drive magnets to the exposed side. I just tried-they're strong enough to grip through the thickness of the material. Then attach a piece of terry towel material or microfiber to the underside with some velcro. The magnets should locate on the vertical lip of the fender to hold the cover in place. The soft liner material can be removed periodically and tossed in the washer, but you still have the vinyl and foam for resistance to fluids and impact. Considering I'll probably have my Camino for life, it might just be worth the time to cut up one of my sets.
Opinions, anyone?

Bill