Heya,

I'm in Juneau, Alaska and recently my beloved '94 Prelude Si had an unfortunate meeting with a guardrail at about 30mph. The front bumper, rear bumper, driver's side front fender and [what I believe is] the driver's side quarter-panel will either need repainting or replacing, as I'm not willing or able to pay to have them replaced. I'll admit I'm not the most technically-inclined person on the planet (though I like to think I learn fast), but I have heard conflicting stories about whether or not I can replace the quarter-panel without extensive welding.

I suppose, therefore, that the first question is: How difficult is it to replace the quarter panel? In case I am giving this piece of sheet metal the wrong name, it's the part of the body beginning forward of the rear bumper, making up the rear fender and containing the gas door. It also arches over the door, with a break right before the front fender. The damaged area is about a square foot in front of the tail-light, and it's almost completely caved in [the tail light was, of course, completely annihilated.]

I have a small team of sympathetic and much more automotively-inclined cohorts that are willing to assist with this endeavor, but I'd like to have some kind of idea what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks in advance, and if this has been already covered elsewhere, please excuse my inability to find it.

Regards,

- A cold and wet Alaskan

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1075798

Somebody recently asked that same question, and yes, you will have to weld on a new rear 1/4 panel. That is unless you can weld in a square of sheet metal or something of that nature...

Also, a picture of the damage would help