adamm
Well-Known Member
Started removing some of the quarter. Trunk extension needs a patch.
lol Look more crap I gotta fix.You don't seem like the type that gets too frustrated. I get really irritated when dealing with this kind of thing.
I watched a video on youtube and this old school guy was showing how to do rust repair. Every time he would cut a rusty piece of metal off, there would be more rust behind it. It was never ending. Instead of getting frustrated he was just kind of like "Hey look, more ****. Lets keep going".
Was inspiring in a way lol
Aftermarket parts fit like crap. Original parts fit like crap. Your chosen method of replacement is unorthodox.
At some point you just need to start tacking and beating things into submission. Be prepared to un-weld some tacks. I do admire your enthusiasm. This is a huge project. You will be using copious amounts of filler to make it look right. Nothing wrong with that if you use proper techniques.
Lap welds are generally easier for a novice. I would go above or below the bodyline,never directly at the bodyline itself. I would have tried to use the whole panel and put in at the roof seam. Easier in the end. Sometimes the shortcut takes a lot more time and effort and it not as quality a repair.
Ok I read back through this tread a bit, and have a suggested plan for you. The pros can feel free to correct me.
Taking into consideration the size of the weld, the area of the car, the curvature of the panel, and your admitted skill level I would suggest a different approach. Cut the panel about a half inch above the top style line and use an Eastwood panel perfect tool. It seems gimmicky, but works excellent. You don't want to be working out in that open field above that style line. That's a compound convex area. Right above that style line will be less prone to warpage as the style line adds some rigidity to the area. The panel perfect tool will also add rigidity and give you a recessed weld. Not only will this help you with welding/warpage, but will help you tremendously afterwards (little to no grinding, and minimal filler work).
I agree the 1/4 meets correct at the front but not at the back where it meets the wheel well. Like the home made quarter is off.To me, something looks seriously messed up with the way the rocker is sitting on that car.