? for the focus gurus

[focusZX505]

on both of your 08's that dumb fender vent how did you get that off it is just a sticky thing like the focus emblem or is it bolted on. and how much work is involed to get it off

[j20000]

There are 2 different part numbers for the 08 Fenders. 1 with the fender vents, and the other without. You can just order the fenders from the S trim Focus and throw them on there. That's probably what I'm gonna do.

[FocusSportVP]

Only the STC Focus has the vent removed. We left them on the SEMA Focus. There will be holes that will need to be filled in.

[j20000]

^^^ Or just order the Focus S trim fenders that don't come with the vents.

[BUR_ZX3]

so, pay for fenders, then pay to send them to the body shop to do a full prep and paint on them...


Or pull them off and send them to the body shop to have the holes filled, then a full prep and paint.


Hmmm. I think you can just go with the second option

[j20000]

The fenders are only like $85....I'll take the first option. You'll have more money in having those fenders filled and prepped then you would if you just bought new fenders.

[FocusSportVP]

Are you saying the new fenders come painted or something?

[j20000]

No, I was just saying that buying new fenders without the aplique' for $85 from Ford, unpainted, then having them painted would be cheaper than having the hole in the fenders with the aplique' filled and painted. Plus you would still have the stock fenders to put back on the car if you were to trade it in or sell it.

[EuroAyres]

painting new fenders will cost more in material because youll have to base the whole thing and clear the whole thing, as opposed to just basing over the spot that was filled and blending it then clearing it. So youll be using less basecoat. New fenders will come primed but the prime job will be rough and very thin so youll need to do work to it before you paint anyways..so thatll be about the same. The only issue is to fill the holes proper youll need a backing welded or glued in behind the holes then some filler work then sanding. id say the new ones would be cheaper than a shop just because of the body work. id say 2-3 hours each body time and another 2-3 total for paint + material where as new ones would be only 2-3 paint+ materials. So if your new fenders are cheaper than 4-6 hours body time then go that route, if not use the ones with holes.

[j20000]

I know about 50 guys that have body shops that would shoot them for me for just the cost of material. Like when I had the lip and bumper painted for my 350z for about $100.

[Focusfre4k]

and then blend....it aint cheap

[BUR_ZX3]

OK on the "i know a guy" tip, sure maybe buying a new fender is cheap. But for the average joe... getting it filled and painted is a lot cheaper and easier. Just saying....

[j20000]

^^^ no it's not. Have you ever had something filled before (on your car)? How do you figure that it would be cheaper to pay for 3+ hrs of body work @ at least $70/hr to fill and bondo and smooth those holes, then another 1-2 hrs to prep and paint the fenders, than to just pay $85 for new fenders plus prep and paint?

[03ZX3drew]

Maybe paint the vents black, help it blend in a bit better, and get rid of the "look at me!" look that comes with chrome.

[EuroAyres]

The paint time will be more than 1-2 hours because it needs to be blended also. look at like 4-6

[rollin_loud]

why not just color match the vents to the car? that would be a lot cheaper and it looks pretty good from what i've seen so far.