let me first say that although this is another qtr panel replacement question, i am fairly experienced in bodywork. I will also say im no expert by any means. I have also done work similar to this but none quite this complex.

I know many of you would suggest hammers, dolly's and a bunch of bondo. I would like to go for this how ever i dont have the proper tools at my disposal to do ti correctly, ( that and im not comfortable in my sheetmetal manipulating skills) however i do have all the welder/grinder/donor car and basic filler tools.

The reason for considering this approach is i can weld, have the replacement panel, have most of the tools for this job but i dont think i can produce a straight panel with the thin "floating" metal in the qtr panel. That and im on a budget.

Here's the good side.


And the bad side. ITs hard to see but there's alot of waviness. I managed to reduce the large dent, but im super picky.



Now the question...



Basically if you were to replace this panel... is this about how you would go about it? to me.. The red dashed line would be where you'd take out the spot welds...the the red solids near the roof line cut to a seam doing and overlap for a weld (not butt weld).and the solid blue being a "open" cut where per the panel you wouldn'd usually cut.

another question. would this type to repair require bracing while the panel is off? Would flex and sag be a enemy?

I know there a thousand ways to do this, and im sure some easier. But body skills aren't up to par yet my fab skills are. (funds included) So tell me am i in the balllpark or am i overdoing it here?

 

sorry the superman pics.... didnt' think they'd come out that big.

 

it's just wavy? if that's all you're worried about just block it

 

I honestly think you would be better off fixing the qtr panel that is on the car rather than replacing it. If you do replace it, I'd suggest using a new part and not a used qtr cut off another car. Also take the qtr. off at all the factory spot welds including the door jamb. Lastly you don't need to go so far up on the sail panel splice, about midway up the qtr. window is about normal.

 

Just work the Quarter...That thing is in no need of being replaced..You will have to do more body work to the new quater than that one needs now....

 

I agree it would probably be easier just to block the current one but im trying take into consideration my own skills and limitations. Im just tossing idea around still.

thanks for the help.

 

Yeah no need to replace that qtr panel no major damage there.

 

You will be doing more bodywork if you replace it then it needs now...You need more skillz to change a quarter panel than you need to fixs those few low spots i promise you.

 

Hell call a local PDR guy he can more than like get 99% of all that out for you

 

ok, you guys convinced me...ima go get a few hammers and dolly's and see what i can't come up with. aside from slow and careful what advice can you guys give to get 'er straight before i knock off the paint?

 

^I would say sand off where your going to be using the hammer and dolly.

 

Small hits but stern...Dont just knock the hell out of it..You will need to shrink the metal once you get the dent knock out cause the metal will be weak.Just remember that a dent effects the metal around it as much as it does the metal in it.A pdr guy would maybe beable to get that out without you having to paint it