Quarter Panel work
Started to work on the passenger side quarter panel, it's so messed up I've just given up on it and decided to replace the entire side.
Started by seeing how well the piece fit - so this is test fit #1(of a 1 million....) but it looks pretty nice. Even with it just hung in place with some duct tape, this is a MUCH better fit than I had imagined.
So now it's on to cutting out the bad (almost original panel, it's been patched already) and getting this replacement started.
But before we start, I needed to transfer the emblem holes from te original to the replacement
Now we can start cutting. My son came down to help in the process, he's got a steadier hand then the old man, so he gets to cut out the old panel... Looks like he's saying "Are you sure?" then we begin cutting.
First the back half then it's all gone
a little clean up of the rust inner fender, but we have some inner wheel well work before we can continue
more inner wheel well lip work
some time passes....... and below are pictures of the second pass of welding the passenger side quarter. Coming out OK, I picked up an "auto-darkening" welding mask that has REALLY helped me 'see' what I'm welding. The traditional non-darkening was just too difficult to work with - for me.
On to the rear qtr extension piece today... a few adjustments and the tested the fit for the rear extension.
Some pictures with the first skim coat on the panel, a few high and low spots but between some light hammer persuasion, more sim coats then primer and blocking, it should look pretty good.
Time for the DRIVERs side... this is going a little easier and faster since I have some experience with the passenger side.
Cut the old panel out, wirebrushed and POR-15'd it.
needed to totally rebuild the innder wheel well lip... it was pretty much rotted out
Trimmed the excess off the replacement skin and tacked it into place
Making sure to get as close to the body lines as possible on the front and rear edge
Now , matched the upper weld-line and started welding it into place
