Gary U
Dec 11th, 01, 7:40 PM
After reading this board for a while, I decided to hang some quarter skins on my 68. It was something I wanted to do for a long time. The car looked decent, but there were a few blisters in the lip area that I could not stand! I had the car at a large cruise spot on a Friday evening receiving compliments and the next day I tore it apart! The skins are now installed waiting for warmer weather so I can start with the filler.
In researching this project, one area there seemed to be a variety of ideas about was how to attach the forward part of the skin to the rocker panel. Many people suggest welding the panel on and then grinding a groove for the seam. Since my rockers are 100% perfect, I decided to leave them alone. What I did was use some extra metal from the skin and made a "L" shaped piece that was about 3/4" high with a nice sharp corner. I then tacked another strip of this steel to the bottom of the "L", but left it inset from the corner. I then welded this "L" to the top of the rocker such that I was left with a nicely spaced gap with a nice corner. This looks very similar to original and I imagine will look good with seam sealer when I am done. I then scribed a line where the bottom of my skin overlapped this 3/4" strip and cut it off. The skin was then butt welded. The end result is that I have a nice looking seam, but I do have some extra filling to do where the butt weld was done.
We all know there are many ways to tackle a project. I share my approach not because it is the best, but because it may give someone an idea. Now I just hope I can finish this thing off in the spring and it looks decent!
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1968 Chevelle SS396 - Yellow 4 speed, air, factory Buick interior
1998 Camaro Z28 - 6 speed
1999 Nissan Maxima SE - 5 speed
2000 Passat Wagon - 5 speed tip
In researching this project, one area there seemed to be a variety of ideas about was how to attach the forward part of the skin to the rocker panel. Many people suggest welding the panel on and then grinding a groove for the seam. Since my rockers are 100% perfect, I decided to leave them alone. What I did was use some extra metal from the skin and made a "L" shaped piece that was about 3/4" high with a nice sharp corner. I then tacked another strip of this steel to the bottom of the "L", but left it inset from the corner. I then welded this "L" to the top of the rocker such that I was left with a nicely spaced gap with a nice corner. This looks very similar to original and I imagine will look good with seam sealer when I am done. I then scribed a line where the bottom of my skin overlapped this 3/4" strip and cut it off. The skin was then butt welded. The end result is that I have a nice looking seam, but I do have some extra filling to do where the butt weld was done.
We all know there are many ways to tackle a project. I share my approach not because it is the best, but because it may give someone an idea. Now I just hope I can finish this thing off in the spring and it looks decent!
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1968 Chevelle SS396 - Yellow 4 speed, air, factory Buick interior
1998 Camaro Z28 - 6 speed
1999 Nissan Maxima SE - 5 speed
2000 Passat Wagon - 5 speed tip