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This is my first attempt at doing body work. Everything you see in the pics is as I found it after having the body dipped. The quarter panels were worked over sometime in the past. My current plans are to do what metal repair I can, have fun learning along the way, then hand off anything past this to a professional to finish it through paint. I'm not sure what is worth patching and fixing with filler, vs replacing the whole panel. Any thoughts based on these pics? Notice the multiple holes used to pull the metal back in to shape from previous damage. I really appreciate all the replies I have been getting on my posts, hopefully someday I will be able contribute more than just take take take, so thanks! Driver quarter panel Driver quarter panel just behind rear wheel Driver side just behind door. Driver quarter panel Driver quarter panel Passenger quarter panel Passenger quarter panel Passenger side, looking down on the side marker light. Passenger quarter panel just above wheel well. Passenger quarter panel looking down. Just in front of the wheel well. Passenger quarter panel just behind door
Anything can be fixed, anything can be fabricated to replace a piece, if repos are not available. It all depends on your level of skill, equipment available, and time spent. Quality of the repair depends on the same, as well as your tolerance for imperfection.
You could just go over everything, if you want ghetto fixes. A quicker, less fancy welding equip + talent, is to MIG up the holes, and fill. Crude patches can be mad eto replace where the rust holes are.
To do things on a higher order, the holes, I would warm up with a torch, and hammer to flatten. Then TIG or gas weld them shut. Hammer and dolly to remove the weld shrinkage. Pick and file until you don't need filler, or at least, just a skim coat.
As for the patchwork. It's easier to use fancy machines to help fabricate patches. English wheel, brake, planishing hammer, shrinker-stretcher. These make it go faster, and possibly more accurate. BUT.. With the right skills, all can also be done with hand tools. Of course, these take talent that takes time to acquire.
I can't tell you how nice to make things, it's your car, and your skill set. How good do you want it? How much can you truly do?
hey back in the mid 80's before repo panels came about i made 1/4 panels for a 69 dodge charger from the side of a chevy van.had to make it in 4 pieces. top and bottom from center of tire forward and top and bottom from center of tire to the back.man that just brought back old memories,i think i took pics now i'm gonna have to go dig thru all my old pics to see if i can find em.
look at repair versus replace cost, it looks like the body shop will have a lot of hours in,even if you do a lot of work,the filler and block sanding would be killer,or complete 1/4 replacement, steep but i think would last longer,and give you more peace of mind down the road. my .03
