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I can't recall the name of this small sheet metal panel (where water, leaves & debris accumulate). Mine is beginning to blister & needs replacement. Thanks for assisting. 1971 Cutlass Supreme
That panel is named "front fender". If you are asking about aftermarket patch panels, that's a different question. Be aware that there are to versions of that patch panel on the market, the original thin repro and a much higher quality version with crisper stamping and the same metal gauge as OEM. The latter is usually priced about 50% higher than the former, and well worth the extra cost. Also note that the brace behind that area is not reproduced but usually rusts out for the same reason.
The “panel” identified in my image by enclosure w/in the red outlined round corner box is indeed the “patch panel” I am after - NOT the entire front fender. I was aware the brace may very well need replacement, as well. Thanks for mentioning the quality of the sheet metal, that is great info as I hate that thin skin junk.
My wife sent me to the store for milk. She said if they have bananas, get two. They had bananas, so I brought home two milk, as requested.
I think there was a thread here a few years ago where someone fabricated a repair piece for the inside brace. There were lots of photos as I recall, so may be helpful if you wind up needing to fix that.
I think there was a thread here a few years ago where someone fabricated a repair piece for the inside brace. There were lots of photos as I recall, so may be helpful if you wind up needing to fix that.
The good news is that the brace is primarily made from flat sections, plus it doesn't show when installed, so hand fabrication isn't too difficult. The problem is the stamped sections for the recesses where the bolts go.
I think there was a thread here a few years ago where someone fabricated a repair piece for the inside brace. There were lots of photos as I recall, so may be helpful if you wind up needing to fix that.
I believe I saw the thread you're referring to some time ago. It is most likely the reason I am even aware there is a heel patch panel available.
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
The good news is that the brace is primarily made from flat sections, plus it doesn't show when installed, so hand fabrication isn't too difficult. The problem is the stamped sections for the recesses where the bolts go.
I can't recall, I believe I either could or I could not view that brace from some little hole or something from the underside of the heel section - honestly can't recall. It was during that period of time I did some researching & learned of the propensity for leaves, twigs, H2O, etc. to catch in that area and accelerate rot/corrosion.
There can be a significant amount of rust hiding between the outer skin of the fender and the inner brace. My fenders needed the patch panels, same as yours, but I decided to separate the fender from the brace when making this repair and I'm very glad I did as the condition of the metal surprised me. To remove the rust I soaked the brace in Evaporust followed by a serious wire-wheeling, a coat of rust-conversion primer and several generous coats of Rustoleum industrial spray paint. Fortunately the brace was still pretty solid; I didn't have to make any sheetmetal patches, but made several plug welds to fill pin holes in the metal. This is not for the faint of heart and makes alignment of the patch more difficult but I sleep better at night knowing I didn't leave this cancerous time bomb in my car.
Here's a few pics below, you can see more details in my restoration thread at:
Rodney - Thanks very much for the link and additional information, greatly appreciated. Heading out the door will have time a little later to fully read. Thanks again!
Originally Posted by cdrod
Norm:
There can be a significant amount of rust hiding between the outer skin of the fender and the inner brace. My fenders needed the patch panels, same as yours, but I decided to separate the fender from the brace when making this repair and I'm very glad I did as the condition of the metal surprised me. To remove the rust I soaked the brace in Evaporust followed by a serious wire-wheeling, a coat of rust-conversion primer and several generous coats of Rustoleum industrial spray paint. Fortunately the brace was still pretty solid; I didn't have to make any sheetmetal patches, but made several plug welds to fill pin holes in the metal. This is not for the faint of heart and makes alignment of the patch more difficult but I sleep better at night knowing I didn't leave this cancerous time bomb in my car.
Here's a few pics below, you can see more details in my restoration thread at:
