install, uninstall fenders without leaving traces by scratching the bolts

[AnthroProfessor]

I look at the fenders of 123s and they seem to be vulnerable to rusting unless they are monitored periodically and properly steam cleaned from the inners.

How did the factory install these fenders? the bolts holding the fender to the chasis are the same color as the car minus the clear coat? Were they install and then it was painted?

If I replace my fender, how can I get it to look factory or pure. By the time I take a rachet and unbolt the fender of a junk yard car, I have removed the paint on those bolts. Installing the fenders also force paint off bolts no matter how careful.

I guess everyone will know if a fender was ever replaced by looking at the bolts. I can live with that, but I just wanted to make sure if there was a better way to do this.

[VLayton]

Is there such a thing as a plastic socket? :confused: ?

Otherwise I'd use all new bolts and have the area touched up by a professional paint shop, so the paint appears as it should...

Then there is the subject of the adhesive....

[Johnson Chan]

Take a thin red shop towel and put it inside the socket so it acts as a "cussion" and gentley remove the bolts.

To make it look "factory new" would be very very difficult because they painted the peice after it was bolted onto the car.

You will still see paint crackings around the bolts afterwards. A bodyshop and spray a coat of paint to help with that, but you need to do it to both sides to "blend" it.

[AnthroProfessor]

OK, so the MB people painted the fender bolts after it was installed. That makes sense. So, I won't feel bad for replacing a fender and leaving a trace since I know it will need to be painted over anyway. Its probably a good idea to do it because I have no rust issues in that area, so I am not going to go contrary to what Mercedes invested millions in doing Research and Development.