Initial Body Trimming Wheel Wells

[mrglaeser]

So I'm finally at the point it's time to start working on the body. I've been slowly -- between other tasks -- trying to figure out all the bits that would be easiest trip before dropping the body back on the car and we just going to ask if I'm on the right track.

Wheel Well openings. I used some 1/4 inch painters tape to mark what I think I would keep trimming in here. I watch the FF5 body work video 100 times, and also this video about 50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRFb9idJYP0&t=757s as well as read a ton of forums. So here is how I have it marked if in looks like I missed the mark please let me know.

Rear Wheel Well Rear of the opening:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-ZD38WtN/0/LpQHmSCZZfZR3TWBdxzD3W94X7k3BNBMfc3C644T4/X2/20251012_151739-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-ZD38WtN/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-gBHFs86/0/NgRXhL5wFWv5cWqJRwk5Tpkrv5ncwx8cvWSQhdmxD/X2/20251012_151801-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-gBHFs86/A)

Rear Wheel Well Front of the opening:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-RvpWMWQ/0/KSSgsmvvFTgLmX98BKNWDJn5NmdsZw4dKjqVxQtng/X2/20251012_151808-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-RvpWMWQ/A)

Rear Wheel Well Arch:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-Pk7KfXn/0/K3BjMTGDbkdcXQNWbVhrQCmSbfRZtDPGKBmxdv6rc/X2/20251012_151819-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-Pk7KfXn/A)

Front Wheel Well Rear of the opening:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-2L5Q7SW/0/LCgVvVk9sXkGKKvBvbtkm68R4XCfnDzZKKh65TwNR/X2/20251019_132009-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-2L5Q7SW/A)

Front Wheel Well Front of the opening:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-KB9d9Jx/0/Kmzh55FZgFcQ8HtBhgCrKVrR3sxmHWFDHMh3cpM56/X2/20251019_132022-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-KB9d9Jx/A)

Front Wheel Well Arch
https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-DnhD6f9/0/KQ7LhPdG4dFbSmGVvV96ZptLjqw38d4KGQbL6ZjT6/X2/20251019_132018-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-DnhD6f9/A)

[rich grsc]

That looks good. Leave enough so you can back fill it slightly, then hand sand to get a nice rounded radius

[Jeff Kleiner]

You're looking pretty good. I do the initial takedown using an angle grinder with a 36/40 grit flap disc then follow that up with 80 grit on a DA and complete the radius by hand sanding with 80 and 150. I actually take them down a little farther than where your tape line is which allows you to create a continuous radius from outside to in.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=220467&d=1760991628

On the front I cut off the wonky lower edge that jogs in and out where it runs from the front of the wheel opening over to the oil cooler scoop. I then straighten out the line and blend it in to the curve of the wheelwell.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=220468&d=1760992067

At the rear of the front wheel opening I follow the molded curve that rolls under then finish shape it like so.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=220469&d=1760992103

Rich mentioned backfilling...this is true with the Mk1,2 and 3 bodies but not necessary on the Mk4 and 5 except in rare circumstances.

Jeff