Hi guys, I have a question hopefully someone can help me out with. I was polishing out a scratch on my driver’s side front fender the other day and I guess I got a little ahead of myself and polished the clear coat off of a small section of the panel. I ran the car by a couple of body shops and one of the shops said they can take the fender off of the car and let me drive the car home with out the fender and when they are done call me and have me drive the car back and they will put it on. He said they don’t have anywhere to park the car. I believe him they had cars lined up on the street. Is it safe to drive my car home without a driver’s side front fender? Anyway, I just wanted to get everyones input. The shop is only a few miles from my house and I am going to use my mom’s car to drive to work so the mustang will be in the garage while the fender is re painted.

Thx for taking the time to read. And please post back your input,

Andrew

 

It should be fine, just make sure there is nothing hanging or lose and take it easy. Ive driven around the city with no front bumper when getting it repainted. I just made sure to zip tie anything that looked like it could come off. Maybe want to check the laws in your state though, here in FL the bumper is not considered any part of the safety aspect of the car.

 

I agree that it should probably be ok... just go slow. I assume you still have your inner fender, right? Regardless, avoid any sand, rocks, gravel that might kick up off the tire.

You will possibly get a ticket if you pass by a cop...

 

Yeah, the inner fender is still there, but wouldnt' that also have to come off? Also, will they be able to match the paint up correctly not having the car on the premises? I know they use a computer to match up the paint, but still. I am always worried with any body shop work.(hit or miss) Fortunately their shop has good reviews and they always have a line of cars at their facililty. The first place I went to was the Ford body shop and the manager gave me the impression he did not want to do the work. He said they would not remove the fender to paint it and when I requested that he did he said he hated mustang people because they can never be satisfied and said I had to wait almost a month for him to work me in and there were only a few cars there. I said thank you and left. The shop I am going to now quoted me at half the price of the Ford body shop and they were completely understanding.