Honda Accord Fenders

Common Causes of Honda Accord Fender Problems

Honda Accord fenders are one of the parts in your car's body that are prone to damage and wear. The damages may start as small and negligible defects. Overtime, these minor issues become too ugly and disgusting on your car for you not to notice. If you are the type that doesn't regularly maintain or doesn't properly handle vehicles, you may find problems on the fenders coming back again and again no matter how many times you've had these replaced. To avoid back jobs and further inconveniences, here is a list of the common causes behind Honda Accord fender problems.

Wide gaps

If the installed fenders don't seem to mesh well or have gaps between the bumper and hood, there's a problem. It's possible that the internal structure is bent, bumpers and hood don't fit, lights aren't aligned, or radiator support is off. Even small bumps and accidents can result to an alteration in the areas of the car that hold the fenders in place. Check these other parts first before replacing or modifying the fenders.

Rust patches

As your car ages, rust eventually accumulates on the Honda Accord Fenders. This happens at a quicker rate if your Accord is poorly maintained. Too much rain water is the main suspect when it comes to corrosion. Driving through puddles is also a way for water to make its way to your car from below. Chipped paint is also an opening for the liquid to exploit.

Faded paint

Anything that fades is a sign of overexposure to sunlight. The direct sunlight that hits fenders whenever you take your car for a drive makes this part prone to a faded paint job. You can prevent this from happening again by placing a car cover over your Accord or parking the vehicle inside an enclosed garage.

Rough surface

Run your hand along the surface of the Accord's fenders. These parts should be smooth as silk to touch. If it feels rough in some areas, this is caused by a bad paint job. As a solution, it's recommended that you give the fenders a redo of the whole process to get rid of the coarseness on these.

• A fender is a panel that houses the wheel via a wheel well. It blocks road debris that is thrown into the air by the spinning tire.
• An individual fender usually costs around $110 to $840. 
• It is important to replace a damaged fender to avoid possible electric wiring issues, damage in the frame as well as problems with the wheel alignment.

 

Years after unveiling the Civic, Honda introduced the Accord, a midsize car for the upscale market. It has larger dimensions, which means ampler passenger room and cargo room. Over 40 years have passed and the Honda Accord is still a midsize sedan, featuring high-end technology and improved cabin comfort. It is now on its 10th generation and the design has drastically changed throughout the years.

 

The changes in the Honda Accord’s design resulted in improved body panels, such as the fender. If you want to more about Honda Accord fenders and how to find the best fit for your year model, read on.

 

A fender is a vehicle panel designed to block road debris that are being splashed or thrown into the air by the spinning tire. Early designs are made of steel but most modern cars feature non-ferrous fenders that are highly resistant to corrosion. The use of fenders dates back two centuries ago, when early motorized vehicles used curved-bar metals on top of each wheel. Throughout the years, fenders evolved to molded non-ferrous panels seen on modern cars. They come in different forms depending on the vehicle type and design.

 

There are two sides on a car, which are the driver (left-hand side of the vehicle) and the passenger (right-hand side). Fenders are found on each of the four corners—the driver side’s front and rear quarter sections, and passenger side’s front and rear quarter sections. Keep in mind that knowing the correct locations of fender will make it easier for you to shop for the right OE replacement part.

 

To help you with your OE replacement part purchase, there are various tools that you can use which automatically generates a listing that suits your specific year model. The filter tab is where you specify the exact year, make, and model of your vehicle to get a more accurate list of compatible products. Another tool you can use to improve your buying experience is the “Shop By” section, where you can select from various categories like the location of installation, material, quantity sold, or color finish.

 

Prices for Honda Accord fenders vary depending on the car’s year model, product inclusions (for sets and kits), and the manufacturer of the part. Individually sold OE replacement fenders are priced anywhere between $110 and $840, while sets of two come at around $290 to $840. If, however, you want to make the best out of your purchase, there are fenders sold in kits priced roughly around $190 to $1,400. Kits may include a hood, headlight assemblies, and bumpers.

 

Low-speed frontal collisions, also known as fender bender accidents, can easily damage the fenders. If you think damaged fenders are minor issues that you can easily get away with, think again. Fender benders could result in a series of problems that worsen if not addressed immediately. Here are some of the things you should take note with respect to damaged fenders.

 

Possible electrical wiring issues

Behind your fenders are your headlights’ and taillights’ cable harnesses that connect to your car’s electrical system. Bent or damaged fenders could indicate a possible electrical harnesses damage caused by affected surfaces underneath the panel. If the impact is strong enough to bend the metal reinforcements, the frame can rip the wiring and cause your lights to malfunction. Before the problem gets worse, make sure not to ignore a damaged fender and visit a mechanic right away.

 

Damage in the frame

Your car’s structural integrity relies on its frame so you need to make sure that it’s intact. Unfortunately, some crashes are strong enough to bend the frame, meaning signs of damage on the outside could also indicate worse problems on the inside. Be sure to have everything under a damaged fender checked, as some impacts can affect the chassis easily. Bending on the frame lessens your car’s ability to effectively absorb serious impacts so visit your mechanic after being involved in a fender bender.

 

Aside from a possible bent frame, you might also find yourself having wheel alignment issues. Frontal collisions, with impacts hard enough to damage the frame, can compromise the suspension assembly and the axle shaft, which leads to wheel alignment problems. You’ll know your wheels are misaligned when your car occasionally pulls to one side when cruising. Misaligned wheels also result in uneven tire wear and, worse, loss of control.
 

The cleanliness and maintenance of Honda Accord fenders contribute to the overall look of the car. Even if these are only small in relation to the rest of the vehicle's body, any stains and blemishes on the part can instantly lead to a look of disgust from anybody who sees your car. The Honda Accord should be spared of an ugly finish as much as possible. Here are some maintenance procedures you can do on your fenders so that your car doesn't look like it came out of a junk shop.

 

Regularly clean your car.

 

 

Honda Accord fenders are greatly maintained if you simply give these a good clean. The simple combination of soap and water is good enough to get rid of any dirt that can damage the paint. Apply some wax and buff the surface to get a clean and shiny finish. For a more direct approach, use a pressure washer to dislodge the small particles stuck to the fenders.

 

 

Apply paint on chips.

 

 

For minor cracks and chips on your fenders, cover these patches with a dab of paint. The small opening you cover is enough for contaminants to enter through and damage the body. Buff and sand the area for an even surface. It may look like a rough retouch at first, but it's better than exposing the metal to the elements. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary repair. Unless you're confident of your ability to paint the car, take the Accord to the professionals for a clean job.

 

 

Apply rust-proofing spray.

 

 

Corrosion spots are one of the biggest nuisances you can get-second only to a fender bender. These dark, brown, and ugly blemishes instantly qualify your car as one that came straight out of a junk shop. To avoid this, some rust proofing on the fender well goes a long way to protecting the Honda Accord fender. Wipe the fender well clean first before applying the spray.

 

 

Park in a covered area.

 

 

Try your best to park your car in a covered area to limit exposure to anything that can damage the fenders. The sunlight, dust, dirt, and other contaminants you spare on the Accord is another way of protecting the paint job.