Guard rolling

Many people are likely to enhance the look of their car with the fitting of wide, large diameter wheels and tyres. The very latest trend is towards hugely-sized exotic chrome rims that consume every inch of wheel space under the standard guards – and sometimes more. One simple way to create more room for these oversized wheel and rubber packages is to have the guards rolled or lipped.

How can Dent Craft help? Guard or fender rolling consists of folding the inner lip of the wheel arch into a tighter “V” shape or completely flat “U” shape which enhances wheel clearance.

How is it done? The spot welded double metal lip of the rear guards or the single skinned lip of the front wheel arch can be pressed all the way around the inner side of the arch with the use of a rolling machine which bolts onto the wheel hub. With a certain technique which can differ for each car, successful rolling can depend on the condition of the paintwork (ie age) or previous repairs in that area – usually there are no hassles with paint damage or cracking because heat is applied during the rolling process, to allow the paint to flex. Successful rolling will depend on the condition of the paint work. Usually if the paint is original there is no cracking. However, this can change if the vehicle:

is over 10 years old, has had previous smash repairs in the arch to be rolled, has body filler under the paintwork around the wheel arch, has been modified in any way, and has any holes drilled around the wheel arch. Any modification to other parts of the wheel arch other than the area causing the damage may be necessary in some cases if: The client is lowering the car in the future. Larger wheels and tyres are being fitted in the future. Excess load will be constantly used in the back of the vehicle.

Examples of other areas causing problems that may need modification include i) any plastic cowling that protects any wiring, this includes splash guards on the front wheel arch and/or the rear. ii) Bumper bar brackets – front and rear (in some cases cannot be modified and will contact the tyres regardless of effort). iii) Wheel arch moulding (glued or screwed in type).

Warning! Before going out and buying your next wheel and tyre package consider guard rolling as your first option. Not all tyre and suspension shops will know if your new wheels will ultimately fit your car’s wheel arch, some may be only interested in the sale. Do your homework, ask the retailer if they can guarantee there will be no tyre damage. Check with your mates, ask around if anybody has had a similar experience or better still contact us to firstly advise you of purchasing wheels with positive or negative offsets and what should be suited to your vehicle, and secondly, if necessary, an on the spot professional job at a competitive price.

>> Contact Dent Craft now to find out how we can help you with your Guard Rolling needs.

Disclaimer

Dent Craft does not guarantee that after rolling guards on any vehicle the paintwork will not be damaged in any way. However, in all cases any risk will be identified with the client prior to work being carried out. Dent Craft does not guarantee that any rippling of the metal (including distortion, denting, misshaping of the area rolled) will not occur. However, every effort will be made to identify this possibility prior to work commencing and every effort used to prevent this.