After seeing a ton of post on " How do I fix my rusted out quater panels?" and " Where can I buy patch panels?" I decided to make thread to show just how a professional does it.

1. Go to a junk yard or get online and find yourself a pair of extra fenders or a fender if that be the case, in good shape.The fenders work great becuase they are contured the same and also have a place where the bumper mounts that ussually rusts out as well.

2. Cut the rust out of your qtr panel.

3. next cut a patch out of your new fender. Make the patch bigger then what you cut out so you can trim it to fit better later.

4. here is what my patch looks like.

5. Next you want to test fit your patch. Make sure you put your bumper on so you have a good line down through the wheel well.

6. Outline your patch and trim out the qtr panel for a good fit.

 

7. Now your ready to weld it in. just grind away all paint in the area and use some weld thru primer.

8. weld it. Weld slowly a tack at a time you dont want to warp the qtr panel.

9. Now grind it and do your mud work.

This is what the other side looks like done. (dont mind my runs in the primer)

 

Good write up, I never thought of using a fender, Im gonna have to try that out.

 

If thats how a professional does it im glad I do all my own work

 

it looks a bit off in the last picture, around 1 o' clock area. never seen anyone use a fender, nice write up

 

he must have seen my teg build haha i used dodge neon front fenders on my DA haha

nice write up

 

well other then replacing the whole qtr panel this is the next best thing, unless you have something you might like to add. I would like to hear what you do diffrently if it works out better it might save me some time down the road.

 

ya its called replacing the entire QP. That repair is good for a yr tops before it starts to rust again.

 

Of corse, proper corrision protection is needed to prevent rust from starting again. Using a product like 3M rust fighter on the inside and seam sealing the wheelhouse lip are ways i use to prevent rust from comming back.

Replacing the whole qtr opens your car up to all the same problems as the patch. You have to section it in somewhere, usually the sail panel and the rocker, and the rocker sees dirt,salt, and water just like the rear of the wheelhouse.