I own a 65 chevelle 300 deluxe and was wondering where best location is to cut the quarter panel off at. I am replacing it with a skin from the Paddock. I was looking either on a body line or in a smooth area above or below one. This is my first restoration so the more information or pictures that you might have will be most helpful. Thanks again for all the good advice.

I just put skins on my GTO,actually the second set. The first set I cut it between the 2 top body lines. When I welded it up I got some warpage. And when I ground down the weld you could tell there was work there. The second set I cut it at the top seam, where it bends over the top. The area is stronger and had a lot less warpage. There is less to cover up in the trunk and after I ground down the welds it looked like it was always there. And because of the less warpage I will use almost no plastic to cover it.
I also overlapped it when I welded it on, I felt more comfortable doing it that way. The right way is to butt weld but if you can't do it thats the next best thing. When I cut the old quarter I left 1/8 of an inch for the new skin to sit on.

Heres where I'm splicing mine in.

http://a134.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/63/l_9d58fbcfc0aed62b8f0c8b9ce6fe7fb5.jpg

I did a 65 the same way that matt did, but I cut the lower front part off so it would have the factory seam there. I hate when that seam is filled or covered. Check this. http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/uploads/1259/rightskin.jpg

Ron

how do you cut that fender with a sawzall or a cutting wheel? Did you put the new skin up and cut through to the old quarter for a even cut?

how do you cut that fender with a sawzall or a cutting wheel? Did you put the new skin up and cut through to the old quarter for a even cut?
I cut the new skin where I wanted, then clamped it in place and used a marker to trace it onto the old 1/4. Then used a cutoff wheel to cut the old 1/4 panel.
Ron

Hey guys, as always, good info here! I've been wondering about this. I'm getting ready to do this to my 65 Post as well, but I'm worried about a couple of things here. First, I've had this car for almost 25 years and the interior is still really nice, so I'm trying to avoid tearing that out as I do a frame on resto.

Once you do all of that welding, the heat from the welding burns off any coating or paint on the inside of the new and old body panels. How do you protect that from rusting from the inside out if you can't get to the inside to paint or coat it?

Also, I plan to round the corners of the patch panel because whenever you have 90 degree weld joints, you have a potential of stress cracks over time at the corners. So, I'm going to round all corners when installing the new panels.

Thanks in advance!!

On a side note,I think you want the weight of the car on the ground when welding quarter panels on for proper alignment. The body flexes when its up in the air.

To cover the welded seams, you have to take the inner side panels off and reach up in there with a brush and do what you can. You can also reach up in the trunk area to get that section. For the area above the wheel well, you might have to be creative and attach heavy wire to the brush and reach in those areas and slop it around. Shine a light in there to help see. It doesnt have to be pretty on the inside. just protected.

This thread is only 3 years and one month old. They make application wands for rustproofing protection. 3M and Wurth make wands and rust proofing products. 3M Rust Fighter is but one product, There are others.

I just finished mine last week. I have a 65 Chevelle. I cut mine on the top right past the top body line. I cut mine with a angle grinder with a thin cut off wheel. I had to make 2 to 3 passes. Dont want to cut too much off at the first pass. I than butt welded it. Click on my sig for pics. jemoore24

This thread is only 3 years and one month old. They make application wands for rustproofing protection. 3M and Wurth make wands and rust proofing products. 3M Rust Fighter is but one product, There are others.

That's what happens when you use the search function properly. It was either this or start a new thread. Besides, these cars are 46 years old so, a few more years of a body thread doesn't really matter!:thumbsup:

So, it doesn't look like there's any getting out of gutting the interior huh? Gotta remove those interior panels.

Thanks guys!

Take the time to remove the interior and protect the glass as well. One spark from a welder or a grinder will ruin those things in a hurry.