In the Rain

[Big-boss]

What is like driving a 33 in the rain- with no fenders? Thanks again

[Niagara Dave]

I call it rooster tail. With any car the amount of spray coming off the tires is extremely difficult to see for both the driver and other cars. The bike fender kit unbolts in minutes. Each fender unbolts with four bolts each.

[Arrowhead]

I call it rooster tail. With any car the amount of spray coming off the tires is extremely difficult to see for both the driver and other cars.

I have to disagree, having two open wheeled cars and driven in light rain to heavy down pours, I can't say I ever had an issue with any rooster tails obstructing my or anyone elses view. Now I'm not saying the tires don't throw up a lot of water, but it's no different than the rain falling down. Maybe it depends on the tire tread? Now if you have no top and take a turn and the rooster aims at you, it's will get you pretty wet that's for sure.

[hutchjc1]

Not to high jack the tread but do the folks that run fenderless do anything that is effective at preventing chips from road debris thrown up from the tires ? I really like the fenderless look but worry about damaging the paint, any body tried a vinal wrap to ward off chips ?
Thanks.
Jim

[donshapansky]

I have over 1000 miles on my '33 without one chip that I can find anywhere. I think the angle being almost parallel with the wheels to the door skin or the body it strikes with a glancing blow. I'm not sure if tire tread would anything to do with the issue.

81857

[JOP33]

I have heard of a product called the Invisible Bra. They usually put it on higher end, luxury vehicles. It is applied like tint, but it is clear plastic and as the name implies is virtually invisible (I have seen one applied in person and it's close to being invisible). It is usually applied in the most susceptible areas (hood, bumper, rocker panels, etc.). It's pretty pricey, but when you think about what it is protecting, I guess it's all relative.

[RoadRacer]

I have over 1000 miles on my '33 without one chip that I can find anywhere. I think the angle being almost parallel with the wheels to the door skin or the body it strikes with a glancing blow. I'm not sure if tire tread would anything to do with the issue.

81857

Such beautiful paint too, I'm glad (and a little amazed) you haven't seen any chips.

[Arrowhead]

I have over 1000 miles on my '33 without one chip that I can find anywhere. I think the angle being almost parallel with the wheels to the door skin or the body it strikes with a glancing blow. I'm not sure if tire tread would anything to do with the issue.

Agreed - over 7000 (sadly low) miles and the only chips or scratches are self inflicted. Even the rear wheel wells have held up just fine. I think the type and manufacture of the paint materials and that they are properly applied is the most important factor in chip resistance.

[hutchjc1]

That's good to hear, I have really been stressing over the issue, it came with full fenders and they are painted to match and fit great but the make working on it and getting into it a major hassle. I have considered bike fenders but really like the fenderless look best.

[TDSapp]

That's good to hear, I have really been stressing over the issue, it came with full fenders and they are painted to match and fit great but the make working on it and getting into it a major hassle. I have considered bike fenders but really like the fenderless look best.


I went and talked to a shop about doing a wrap and they said that it would cost around $2,200.00 to get the car wrapped. The do cover it with a clear wrap that can take some damage and then smooth right out. They have a video on their site showing a guy going after a fender with a wire brush and you can see the damage. They hit it with a torch, rub it out and you could not tell there was any damage to the fender after that.

One point about wraps though... It is just like paint and ANY imperfections in the body will show up. So you still have to do a full paint prep before you can get a wrap. But on the good side. If you do get some damage it is cheaper than paint. They had a Lambo in the shop that hit a wall at a drag strip. He replaced the front fender and prepped it and they only charged him $300.00 to replace the wrap on that fender and it matched the rest of the car perfectly.

[hutchjc1]

That is kind of what I am thinking, I can't post pics as I am a moron, but the car has really nice paint on it and just seems a bit of a risk to not do something to try and limit damage. I assumed I would do clear wrap on the sides and not the entire car but I was going to get an estimate before deciding what to do. The other issue is the car had full fenders on it when I bought it, so it has holes in the engine side covers from them that would need something done there to cover them. Trying to think of some detail or graphic to add to the area to hide them. It's kind of a shame as the fenders are really done well and the paint and fit are really well done, putting them back on is the most sensible thing but I really, really like the fenderless look !!