Anyone come across a problem where you will see cracks in the exterior boody paint that run right along the seam in the body panel that is between the truck lid and the rear windshield....actually, I have a '71 convertible and the cracks are on that seam.. Want to know if anyone has a remedy for this,,, someway to fill in in, short of sanding and re-painting. I have a feeling it is due to body-flex that may be inherent in the convertible body design.
Anyone else come across this ??
By the way the paint job is about 4 years old.... Thanks............

I have seen this on many chevelle convertibles. I believe it is the factory lead in the seam that has cracked, and I dont think you can fix it without grinding out all the old lead and redoing the seam. Since lead is such a no no I suppose it would have to be done with body filler. On the convertibles this must be a high stress area, without the roof to keep the body stable..

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70 chevelle ss396 conv
66 chevelle ss396 hdp/conv
55 chevy prostreet

Painted my 72 rag last year, paid extra attention to those seams, short of grinding them completely out, looked good for about 3 months, then first the right side began to crack, then the left, their both cracked the whole way now. Anybody got a recomendation??
It'll be another 5 years till I do a body off
restoration, and I don't want to invite them back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, cage it. Kidding but only solution IMO.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gene Chas:
Yeah, cage it. Kidding but only solution IMO.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
OK......so what's IMO ????????

In My Opinion

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John 67SS
ACES #2887
Team Chevelle Gold #127
Bassett,VA

Makes me wonder if the spot welds below the lead are not holding. Neither lead or plastic filler are very strong, so it must be something else that is allowing the body seam to flex enough to crack the paint. The solution may be to either reduce the flex or get paint that is able to handle the flex. Now that we have mig welders, is it too extreme to suggest cleaning out the lead and putting steel (from the welder) in its place?

Pardon my ignoranc, but I am but a babe to yall's language.. What's "IMO"

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Scott, 20
Denton/Dallas, 70 Chevelle Malibu
May the force be with you..

Look up two posts.

IMHO = in my honest opinion

I had mine welded up solid when the quarter panels were installed (no seams)
Looks good so far but the car hasn't been driven yet.(and may never be again) http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

We'll see how that holds up.

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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
N.C.O.A. # 4350
Mid America Chevelle Club (http://macc.chevelles.net) #001

chevelles.net (http://chevelles.net)

Redrocket, wasn;t trying to be facetious BTW, but truthfully, cage is a solution. I researched an all glass '55 convertible for a home for my rat. Found that a cage was the only solution to body flex. ( 8 pt min).

Of course, I wouldn;t cage a cherry stock convertible.

Hey Dean, what's up with not driven the conv.anymore????Something ya not telling us?:confused http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gifoes it have to do with last Doc visit?
If ya need someone to come over to charge the batts or blow the cobs out,I'm close!!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif:
Rick

My 72 is fairly stock and original, no hard launches (current 2.73 gear), but I do drive
her hard on the curves, and I'ld imagine thats whats causing the body flex.

MIG the quarters at the seam, sounds Helpfull
CAGE, no way, but I understand the advantage

What about poly body mounts??
Or is the frame and all flexing??????

flywheel: naa, it's just that there always seems to be two or three more cars ahead of it to work on - kids, grandkids etc.
and I spend way too much time here http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif
but, hey I'm doing what I like best (setting on my rear and enjoying Team Chevelle)
But I'm not getting any younger http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

are you going down to Nashville with us?

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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
N.C.O.A. # 4350
Mid America Chevelle Club (http://macc.chevelles.net) #001

chevelles.net (http://chevelles.net)

body panel joints or seams should always be filled with seam filler not bondo or lead