Fender patch panels

CreekBandDad · July 15th, 2007, 06:48 PM

I will need to get patch panel for the rear of the front fenders. Has anyone ordered from YearOne or OPGI and which panels are better or are they the same? Thanks!

-Earle

joe_padavano · July 15th, 2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreekBandDad

I will need to get patch panel for the rear of the front fenders. Has anyone ordered from YearOne or OPGI and which panels are better or are they the same? Thanks!

-Earle

They're all stamped in China and quality wise they all leave something to be desired. You can find the same panels for less money from vendors like Auto Body Specialties, Sherman, and Tabco.

CreekBandDad · July 15th, 2007, 08:30 PM

I had gotten a fender patch from Tabco and they are not really good enough to use. I had noticed the quarters from OPGI at least look like they will fit a conv while the others are for a HT only and the body line is all wrong at the top. I was wondering if YearOne might be better than OPGI or about the same for the patch panels.

2blu442 · July 15th, 2007, 09:38 PM

I don't know how to do bodywork, but a guy I know that does will fabricate his own. He'll take an old hood or something and cut out a piece, work it until it has the right shape and weld it in. His comment is that since the patch panel need to be worked he'd rather start from scratch. My 2 cents, or at least his two cents!

joe_padavano · July 16th, 2007, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreekBandDad

I had gotten a fender patch from Tabco and they are not really good enough to use. I had noticed the quarters from OPGI at least look like they will fit a conv while the others are for a HT only and the body line is all wrong at the top. I was wondering if YearOne might be better than OPGI or about the same for the patch panels.

Again, these vendors do not stamp their own panels. They all come from the same one or two Chinese stamping plants.

topjimmy19 · July 21st, 2007, 05:36 PM

I just replaced both lowers on my 1970 442 . Alot of metal work has to be completed to replicate the original fit. This job is not for beginners.

OLD SKL 69 · February 8th, 2009, 05:44 PM

I just finished one of my lower fenders and used a donor roof off of a Ford in the junkyard for my patch panel. They gave it to me for free. If the fenders only need a small patch, that would be the way to go. If the whole lower part of the fender is gone, then you will need to buy one of those preformed patch panels or get a better fender. Make sure the fender brace is not rusted out as well because you will need to fix that too. Like others have pointed out, this is a job for a welder with experience. Hope that helps.

July 15th, 2007, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
CreekBandDad Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5	Fender patch panels I will need to get patch panel for the rear of the front fenders. Has anyone ordered from YearOne or OPGI and which panels are better or are they the same? Thanks! -Earle

July 15th, 2007, 09:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
2blu442 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 2,258	I don't know how to do bodywork, but a guy I know that does will fabricate his own. He'll take an old hood or something and cut out a piece, work it until it has the right shape and weld it in. His comment is that since the patch panel need to be worked he'd rather start from scratch. My 2 cents, or at least his two cents! __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1967 Cutlass four door daily driver 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

February 8th, 2009, 05:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
OLD SKL 69 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 307	I just finished one of my lower fenders and used a donor roof off of a Ford in the junkyard for my patch panel. They gave it to me for free. If the fenders only need a small patch, that would be the way to go. If the whole lower part of the fender is gone, then you will need to buy one of those preformed patch panels or get a better fender. Make sure the fender brace is not rusted out as well because you will need to fix that too. Like others have pointed out, this is a job for a welder with experience. Hope that helps. __________________ Darrell 1971 Cutlass Supreme

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July 15th, 2007, 08:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
CreekBandDad Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5	I had gotten a fender patch from Tabco and they are not really good enough to use. I had noticed the quarters from OPGI at least look like they will fit a conv while the others are for a HT only and the body line is all wrong at the top. I was wondering if YearOne might be better than OPGI or about the same for the patch panels.

July 21st, 2007, 05:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
topjimmy19 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5	I just replaced both lowers on my 1970 442 . Alot of metal work has to be completed to replicate the original fit. This job is not for beginners.