How to fix this? Inner wheel arch with holes cut in it.

[chemicalali]

So I’ve just been stripping my van back to ply line and carpet it. Found someone’s decided to cut a few chunks out of the inner wheel arch, they are in a kind of annoying place because if I ply line and carpet it nicely there’ll be holes in it, and the previous bodge job that hid it looked pretty terrible.

Any thoughts on how best to fix it? I’m going to carpet over it so it doesn’t need to be perfect but I’m a bit OCD about these things so trying to find something that’s a proper solution.

Currently thinking fibreglass or find a breaker and hope they’ll let me cut that bit out so I can stick it in mine? Although that’s a lot of hassle and my previous fibreglassing attempts haven’t gone well! Just been looking at plastic wheel arch liners, has anyone got them? Are they hard enough that they could cover the gaps and not flop about?

Any other suggestions?

Cheers.

 

[DXX]

Is this one of those ‘spot the hole competitions’ because I can’s see them?

 

[chemicalali]

Is this one of those ‘spot the hole competitions’ because I can’s see them?

It’s more of a slice than a hole I guess…

 

[chemicalali]

Is this one of those ‘spot the hole competitions’ because I can’s see them?

 

[DXX]

If you can fabricate steel use a polymer adhesive to attach a formed plate, if you can’t pay someone who can. Otherwise you can buy a plastic liner that will cover it.

 

[chemicalali]

If you can fabricate steel use a polymer adhesive to attach a formed plate, if you can’t pay someone who can. Otherwise you can buy a plastic liner that will cover it.

I don’t think I’ve ever attempted to fabricate steel. But I’ve got the bits of steel I cut out when I fitted the windows, so I could probably cut that to the rough shape and maybe bash it over a bit of cut ply to try and bend it the right way? Reckon that’d work? It kind of looks like you need some kind of press to get that shape without it crumpling?

 

[DXX]

I don’t think I’ve ever attempted to fabricate steel. But I’ve got the bits of steel I cut out when I fitted the windows, so I could probably cut that to the rough shape and maybe bash it over a bit of cut ply to try and bend it the right way? Reckon that’d work? It kind of looks like you need some kind of press to get that shape without it crumpling?

Not the best shape / form for a first attempt but give it a go.

 

[airhoguk]

Think I’d cut the vertical radius’s and then fibreglass the remaining gap, forming the bend on a curve is going to be an absolute pain

 

[Paynewright]

Its not been butchered - they are the panel shapes for when a rear heater is installed.

I’ve thought about what I’d do if I took the heater out and I’d see if I can get that section from a written off van and pop rivet it in place.

Alternatively, make something out of sheet material to follow the shape/curve - ally, thin ply etc. it only needs to take the carpet for aesthetic reasons. Use a CAD template (cardboard aided design).

Where there are curves blend with some sheet fibreglass / resin

 

[Paynewright]

Or these from Vanstyle - at £69 (and a lot of wastage) I’d probably have a go at fabrication first.

 

[Paynewright]

Some for sale in Essex from last year…£40

For Sale Thread 'Genuine rubber floor liner wheel arch covers'

25 Mar 2025

A few more bits for sale

SWB factory 12mm rubber flooring with the templates on the back of liner for rear seat conversions.
Plus lashing eye points £200 SOLD

Rear wheel arch gaurds for interior wheel arches. £40

Collection preferred from essex Rm10

However I could possibly deliver if you are not to far away

Will give the rear liner a clean up as well.

• DanW81
• Replies: 0
• Forum: For Sale/Wanted Threads

 

[DXX]

Invest in a pair of grade F cut proof gloves.

 

[chemicalali]

Think I’d cut the vertical radius’s and then fibreglass the remaining gap, forming the bend on a curve is going to be an absolute pain

That sounds like a good plan, might give that a try.