Some jack@*** dented in my rear fender a while ago, and I don't have the $$ right now to have a body shop replace it. If I got a replacement panel, is it difficult to swap out? Are the panels just bolted on (meaning: would I need any special tools?)

I know even if I got a black one, the paint would probably not match, but new paint probaby would be unavoidable either way.

Thanks!

 

Ehhhh...the rear panel is one huge piece that as far as I know has to be cut out and welded back on. I used to work at a body shop and that's what they always did.

 

bleh.. body shop it is

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 93vtec ATL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bleh.. body shop it is</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup, only way to bolt on would mean replacing practically the whole body...

 

The damage has to be really extensive if you want the whole quarter panel replaced. If you can drive with it, than you don't need to replace it in most cases. It is easier welding in another rear clip than a quarter panel. (theres just too many welds to drill out, and then allign it properly) In most caces people weld in pins on the 'dent' pull it out, and bondo it. Most likely you'd need to paint the whole car afterwards.

 

I had to replace my rear quarter panel when it got wrecked.

It's an extensive process. We bought a whole rear 1/4 clip
and used the outer panel off of that.

I was very time consuming but well worth it in the end.

 

well, my car was parked and another car backed into the front of the rear wheel well and maintained contact while backing up about 18 inches. Don't ask me how they managed that, but they pushed in about an inch from the entire top edge of the wheel well. It is purely cosmetic damage, but it bothers me nonetheless. You think a body shop would be able to fix this sort of thing without an entirely new rear panel?

 

are they round dents or are they more creased? you might be able to pull some of them and bondo the rest but if it's to creased or jagged you'll need to replace it. just go to a body shop and ask them the same question. they should be able to tell ya

 

just go to a local body shop and get a esimate and ask them whats the best route to choose.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 93vtec ATL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, my car was parked and another car backed into the front of the rear wheel well and maintained contact while backing up about 18 inches. Don't ask me how they managed that, but they pushed in about an inch from the entire top edge of the wheel well. It is purely cosmetic damage, but it bothers me nonetheless. You think a body shop would be able to fix this sort of thing without an entirely new rear panel?</TD></TR></TABLE>


Can you post up a pic of it?

 

I don't have a camera, but I'll get a pic eventually. Maybe I'll resurrect this post later.

Of course, the smart thing to do would just be to get my *** into a body shop. We'll see, I guess..

Thanks for all of the input though.

 

Ok, I was taking pictures of my car for another thread, so I figured I would snap these shots as well.

Can anybody estimate a good price for fixing the fender (not incl. paint).

Do you think this fender is pretty much shot, or can it be repaired?

Its not so easy to tell in the pics, but most of the edge of the wheelwell is bent in a good inch or so.








So yeah, the car was filthy in these pictures. Its not usually like this, I promise.

 

Man, it's hard to see in those pictures but this is nothing. Hammer it out, and bondo it yourself. Like I said it's pretty hard to see but all you'll need to do is take a hammer and a heavy metal block. Hold the block on the outside and hammer it out from the inside. Get some bondo, primer, sandpaper of various grit; apply, sand, spray, repeat, repeat, and you're done.

 

It looks repairable, If you can't get to the inside with a hammer,
you can spotweld special nails and use a slidehammer to pull the dents out.

get it as close to normal, then fill the rest in with body filler.

 

Yea thats not that bad...you made it sound really bad until the pictures...hammer it out as best and bondo. easy fix

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chrisgags13 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yea thats not that bad...you made it sound really bad until the pictures...hammer it out as best and bondo. easy fix
</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, dude..that's not bad at all. you can smooth that real quick with some bondo. now, just hope that 1/4 panel never rusts!

 

Cool, thanks a lot guys. I guess I know what my next project is.

Is there anything I can do to prevent rust before I get to it? I'm probably going to wait until I can afford to spring for a nice paint job.

 

you live in georgia so i really doubt you're gonna have rust problems like us northeasterner's but you could do a couple things:

-take off the rubber things on the wheel wells.
-clean and then undercoat the wheel wells really well. also undercoat right where the bumper meets the qtr panel. that's where rust is also known to happen(make sure you undercoat the actual qtr panel lip too)

i recommend undercoating it when you have it painted and everything apart. you do need the car up on jackstands and down for a few days so you can do 1-2 real good coats of that stuff. it takes about a day for each coat to dry well.

 

Pick up a body repair book, haynes makes an alright one. Before you stick bondo or paint to it make sure you have a freshly sanded clean metal and used alot of prep solv to clean off grease and oil contamination or it'll fall off before you know it. Do it all on a nice dry day and make sure not to leave bare primer exposed for more than a day before you paint it. If you have to stop, you put coat of sealer or paint on it (primer alone dosnt provide a moister barrier).

Clean the inside of that nasty ****** "dog ear" (corner where the quarter pannel meets the bumper) ever time you wash the car. Grime and moister love to sit there and cause rust.