Buying a Replacement Fender Online: What You Need to Know

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Fenders—along with the hood and the bumper—are some of the main parts of the vehicle body that typically take the brunt of the impact in any car accident.

Now, depending on the severity of the damage, you may be able to get away with just doing some minor repairs. But if the affected fender is busted beyond repair, getting a replacement may be your only option. 

Luckily, there’s no need to go out of your way to obtain replacement parts. It’s as easy as going online and searching for aftermarket fenders that are compatible with your car—and from there, all you have to do is wait for the package to arrive on your doorstep.

If you’ve never purchased replacement car parts online, here’s what you need to know to ensure that the experience goes smoothly:

Finding the Right Fender Replacement

Proper fitment is essential in buying a replacement fender (or any automotive part, for that matter) as it ensures secure and precise alignment with any of the adjacent parts. 

It’s also important to remember the location of the damaged fender when purchasing your replacement. If the affected part is located on the front driver’s side, you don’t want to end up purchasing a replacement that fits on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Also, remember that fenders can be purchased individually, as a pair, or as a full set.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on finding the right fender for your vehicle on CarParts.com.

1. Enter your vehicle’s year, make, model, submodel, etc. in our vehicle selector towards the top of the page. This will filter your search results to parts that are verified to fit your specific vehicle.
2. Type in the name of the part you’re looking for (“fender”) into the search bar at the top of the page. You may also append the location (e.g., “rear fender”).
   
   Alternatively, if you have it, you may also enter the OE part number of the fender.
3. Once you hit “enter,” you may also refine your selection of replacement fenders by using the filters on the left-hand side of the page. You can filter by brand, price point, location, material, and more.

What to Do When You Receive Your Fender Replacement

How to Inspect your Replacement Fender/s

Even when professionally packaged, damage can occur in transit. This is why we encourage you to thoroughly inspect your order upon delivery. If your shipment arrives damaged, rest assured that we’ll work with you to take care of it as soon as possible. 

Ask a friend for help.

Fenders can be heavy and awkward to lift and maneuver on your own. Avoid hurting yourself or damaging your new replacement part by recruiting a buddy to help you move the package.  

Check the package.

Before opening the package, inspect it thoroughly and look for any obvious signs of damage.

Open the package carefully.

Exercise caution when using a knife or box cutter to open your package—you may end up accidentally scratching the surface of your replacement fender/s.

Inspect the contents of the package.

First things first—make sure that you received the correct item. Next, check to make sure that the reinforcements and padding inside the box are present and intact.

Check the fender/s thoroughly.

Inspect the fender/s for any major dents, especially at the corners and edges. Minor surface scratches or dents are fine—these will be sanded away during installation prep. 

The fender has a protective primer coating that will need to be completely sanded and prepped for your base coat/clear coat application.

Sign for the delivery, and make a note on your delivery driver’s receipt if needed.

If the product is in acceptable condition, sign for the delivery and proceed with pre-installation prep.

If one or more of the following applies, please make a note on your delivery driver’s receipt when signing:

1. “Packaging is damaged.”
2. “Product is damaged.”
3. “Subject to inspection.” [If you don’t get a chance to thoroughly inspect the product at the time of delivery.]

Contact us.

If the product was damaged upon delivery, please contact us immediately, and we’ll work with you to take care of it ASAP.

How to Prep Your Replacement Fender/s for Installation

Follow these steps to prep your replacement fender/s before moving on to painting and installation:

Sand the fender/s.

Using 400-500 grit sandpaper, carefully sand the surface of the fender/s. Keep in mind that your goal is not to remove the coating, but simply to scuff the surface so that the primer can adhere better. 

Degrease the fender/s.

Remove any grease from the fender/s by using a paint prep degreaser and paint prep static wipes.

Prime the fender/s.

Find the most suitable primer and apply it to the fender’s surface. Then, look for any dents that you may not have noticed before. If there are any, simply use a filling primer to smooth them out. 

Let dry, then repeat steps 1 and 2.

Wait for the primer to dry. Then, sand the surface of the fender/s once more. Degrease, then wipe down thoroughly. 

Now your new replacement fender is ready for paint and installation!

If you need further assistance or have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help!

Here’s a helpful video on how to replace your front fender:

Fender Care

Fenders prevent debris and rocks from getting thrown in the air while you drive. They also prevent these things from getting inside the wheel well and engine.

In the event of a collision, fenders act as minor shock absorbers to keep you and your passengers safe.

Keeping them in good shape also makes your vehicle more aesthetically pleasing.

If you want your new fender to last a long time, here are some things to keep in mind.

Drive Carefully

Your driving habits will always affect the overall condition of your vehicle, including the fenders. Driving carefully is one way of preventing any damage to the fenders.

Avoid flooring the gas pedal when traversing over rough roads, as the uneven paths can scratch the fenders due to the sudden dips in the road.

Inspect Your Vehicle Regularly

As a responsible car owner, it’s your job to ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape一both inside and outside.

Stay on top of minor dents and scratches on your fender. The earlier you spot them, the easier it is to cover them up.

Keep Your Fenders Clean

Lastly, always make sure that your fenders are clean. Contaminants like the elements can cause your fender to wear out faster than normal if you leave them out to dry.

Get a Replacement Fender that Fits Your Vehicle

If one of the fenders of your car or truck needs replacement, consider not driving your vehicle until you replace the damaged or worn-out body panel. Fenders protect parts that are costly to repair, so you’ll want to keep them shielded. Thankfully, getting a replacement fender that fits your car is easy with CarParts.com.

At CarParts.com, you don’t have to guess whether or not a fender fits your vehicle. We give you what you need to know about fitment to make it easier to order auto parts online. You can search our catalog of high-quality parts and accessories by year, make, and model through our website’s integrated vehicle selector. Ordering is also a simple and easy process that you can complete with only several clicks or taps. If you live in the continental US and order before noon ET, you can expect the new fender to arrive within several business days.

Don’t wait until a hole appears in one of your fenders before you start looking for its replacement. Check out our wide selection of quality fenders now at CarParts.com.

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