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INSTALLING NEW FENDER BEADING ON BJ8

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bighealeysource

bighealeysource

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Hey Y'all,
Any hints and suggestions on best way to install new fender
beading ? Old is off and new paint job so trying to avoid
scratching the new paint with all the little aluminum daggers
sticking out of the fender beading. Anyone's experience in
doing this will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
 
Put tape over all the "daggers" for starters.

This is a job best done with two (2) people, so you can secure the fender, while pressure is applied to keep the dead as tight to the fender as possible.

You want to pull the "daggers" down as tightly as possible, and get them folded over the fender's side of the flange before the can lift back out.

In about an hour, I'll be drinking a Margarita, and thinking about you...
 
To reinforce what Randy said; pull the tabs down, don't push down on the beading. There's play between the tabs and inside of the beading so it won't seat tightly unless you pull down on the tabs to keep the beading seated in the seam. You also might want to put masking tape on either side of the seam where the beading fits so that the beading doesn't chip the paint. It'll be a little tough to remove the tape once the beading is in place but it's better that having to touch-up chips.
 
Hey Mike,

A word of caution - never, ever, under any circumstances, should you attempt to put in fender beading with another person. You must do it alone or you will be sued.

As you're putting in the beading on one end, the free end will be flailing around like a demon possessed. It will quickly remove an eye, and the "daggers" will leave marks on your assistant that require years of cosmetic surgery that cannot be performed in your kitchen with simple utensils.

All right. Just kidding. You can put it in by yourself - I used bits of styrofoam to cover the "daggers" and it worked OK, but the free end does tend to wave around. As Randy suggests however, it's easier with two people.

Don't forget to put some anti-corrosion tape or goo between the fender and the shrouds, before you close up.

Dave
 
I started the process with the protective black plastic on the beading and quickly learned that you must remove the protective plastic before installing the beading. I actually rounded off all the corners of the "daggers" with my die grinder before I started the process and ran a strip of masking tape along both sides of the fender joints. Not nearly as bad as installing the top drip rail/molding to the rear shroud as I did yesterday in my BJ8! Have a good day!

John
 
Hey Y'all,
As usual I find myself laughing at our shared experiences working on our Healey's.
Dave's comments are right on target as I almost put my own eye out just moving those bloody fender beads around my garage ! Some goods ideas and advice-
thanks everyone. I'll let you know how it goes.
Mike Lewis
 
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