Tractor Fender Repair

[Don52]

My friend and customer Rick’s fender on his tractor cracked on both sides in the rear. On the left side the sharp cracked edges protruded from the fender, so they were a cut hazard. The first picture shows the entire fender.

1. Fender


I like to weld bright shiny metal so I cleaned up around the crack on the top and bottom using 1” stainless steel brushes in my Foredom shaft grinder.

2. Removing paint with wire wheel


I used up about 4 wire wheels, because the bristles bend over and eventually break off the wheel as shown below. The edges of the cut didn’t line up and surface was compound so the smaller wheel was able reach all areas.

3. Stainless steel brushes – worn and new


I bought several bags containing 25 wire wheels from eBay for $6 per bag.

4. Bag of wire wheels


Because of the compound surface I taped some Aluminum foil to the back side to trap the shielding gas.

5. Aluminum foil taped to back side

[Don52]

The next step was to us a picking hammer and a dolly to straighten out the cracked metal. Then I used a small c-clamp to force the edges of the crack into alignment. The last step was to spot MIG weld the edges together. I used my LE 31 MP with .025” wire to minimize burn through on the .048” thick fender.

6. Cracked fender tack welded


Next, I completely welded out the crack. Rick asked me to leave the weld reinforcement in the hopes that it would last longer before cracking.

7. Left top welded out


8. Bottom left cleaned up


9. Bottom view all done


Last but not least I primed the area that I welded to prevent rust.

10. Top primed
-Don