Would you re-shape this quarter, or Picasso it with fiberglass/body filler?
Posted by Not_That_Fast@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 18 comments
Genuine question.
I made a post a few weeks ago, asking about the opinion of selling off my projects and I've came to the decision to keep the shell that is in better condition and swap all the components over from the running driving Datsun 280z that was struck in the back tail panel pretty badly.
So, this is the shell receiving the parts. Would you re-shape this tail panel, cut it out and weld a patch, or Picasso it with a slab of bondo?
This is a keeper, and I'll likely be revisiting the body work 5 years down the line. I just wanted to get her to be a 5 footer at the least, though I can do some magic with the filler. What are your opinions?
Djdoubleu@reddit
Picasso was a painter not a sculptor, also replacement will be easier that metal finishing that but if panels are not available I would take that opportunity to learn how to make patch panels or practice your metal work.
Boilermakingdude@reddit
I don't think a single person will tell you to Picasso that
Clegko@reddit
I mean, if he was going for a 20 footer I absolutely would. But a 5 footer? Nah, needs to be body worked at the very least - preferably the panel replaced.
Boilermakingdude@reddit
Just from the stand point of "I'm going to be doing the body work again in 5 years" makes me wonder why you'd bother going through the work of slathering on filler and making it look decent to just knock it all back out again in 5 years to properly do it, which will possibly cause the existing decent material to rot if there's any rust intrusion. I'd get the panel into a decent shape to fit a tail light etc, hit it with a coat of paint and a bunch of fluid film, get it across the country like he's trying to do and then finish it properly.
Clegko@reddit
💯 I've picasso'd several cars in my day, and each one required significant effort to achieve a decent-looking repair. Layering fiberglass and bondo over old rust holes is much cheaper than sourcing patch panels, welding them in, and making everything look good afterward. However, assuming I had the means to do it properly, I wouldn't want to have to redo the work in 5 years just because I took shortcuts the first time.
Thommyknocker@reddit
If panels are available replace that quarter. Otherwise reshape as best you can and use bondo to make it smooth. If you use more then ~1/8th" of bondo i will find you and kick you in the shin. I'm so tired of discovering massive Bondo patches on my shit after a few years of actually getting driven.
DeBlasioDeBlowMe@reddit
Replace.
Aos77s@reddit
Body guys will tell you to panel swap or fix it with metal.
TaxCPA@reddit
It will never look right if you don't.
Aos77s@reddit
Yea i know. I just know op is gonna waste days slathering bondo like he doing drywall before selling the project 😠people be buying projects with zero experience of just how much work it is to do good builds.
Before anyone jumps into a project watch six_four_stout on tiktok. Shows you how much work it is doing things right.
_clever_reference_@reddit
Best option would be to get a new panel from Klassic Fab
kfvintagejdm.com
classless_classic@reddit
I assume you’re asking this because replacing a panel isn’t in your skill set, yet.
You need to replace it. It’s not that difficult, you will learn a valuable skill, get to buy some new tools and will have accomplished something pretty cool once you do.
You got this bro.
Quietus76@reddit
Depends on how I feel about the car and what I want it to be. I've done both cutting/welding and just bang it out and bondo. I've never used fiberglass on the exterior of a car, but I have used it on interiors.
I think I'd smooth those dents as well as I could, then bondo. I don't cut a car these days unless it's rusted and rotten.
Boxofusedleftsox@reddit
That needs a lot of hammer,dolly and shrinking work. It can be done but cutting and welding a cleaner section would be quicker and easier if you can do the welding without warping the shit out of it.
pistonsoffury@reddit
I would patch panel it. You may have the best intentions to revisit it in 5 years, but let's be honest - you won't.
eddirrrrr@reddit
I'd cut it out and replace it. Kfvintage makes panels for that area
joshmoney@reddit
I believe they make patch panels for that area for that car. I’d cut that out and replace it.
Maxzillian@reddit
I'd almost say it's a good candidate for some hammer work and a thin layer of filler, but getting that body crease reformed could be pretty difficult.