I'm going to attemp to weld the rear quarter 80% skins on myself.

My plan is to:

1) install the doors as a base line.
2) trace a line from the new skin on top of the existing.
3) use a cut off wheel and remove old panel.
4) check the inner wheel wells and replace if necessary
5) attach the new skins with panel clips using the door as the guide.
6) spot weld every other inch or so until complete
7) grind smooth.

All I have is a Mig Welder so my options are limited.

Does this process make sense? Am I missing anything?

I've never attemped a task this big before, but I'm welding in the floor patches and I think I'm beginning to get comfortable with it.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

Instead of cutting into the door jamb you could leave about a inch of the original quarter along the door jamb and weld there. That way you dont mess with the quarter to door gap.

If you seem it in the door jamb you will have less body work to do.

Great advice, thanks.

Does the rest of the process look correct? Did I miss anything?

Instead of cutting into the door jamb you could leave about a inch of the original quarter along the door jamb and weld there. That way you dont mess with the quarter to door gap.

If you seem it in the door jamb you will have less body work to do.


Lol.. that was just what i was goign to say..
I know a lot of guys do it this way. that is considering that you already have lines that you are happy with.

I'm on the tail end of doing a set of 80%'s right now.
After seeing how much additional work 80's are I will gladly pay for the full quarters next time. It may not seem like it right now, but they're quite a bit of work.
The tail panel to quarter areas weren't the closest fit. The drivers side trunk gap was pretty bad. The radius at the front of the trunk opening wasn't even close to matching the original quarter. The worst of the problems seems to be that the drivers side die was really worn and the belt line seems to bend upwards near the front of the quarter.
I've heard that the full 1/4's have been retooled and don't have many of these problems.

I hope you have better luck than I have so far.

Make sure you replace the outer wheel well first before you make the cut on the quarter panel. When you mark your line do not do your first cut on that line. Leave about a 1/4" to 1/2" overlap. I use an air body saw and cut along the outer new quarter. That way the 2 metals have a blade thickness between them. You can use a cutoff wheel but the gap will be thicker than the blade thickness. It is easier to weld the thinner gap.

If your gaps start closing while you are welding you can take the air saw and cut between the 2 areas and make the gap between them again for your welding.

Does anyone have any pictures of the process for quarter skin replacement ? Ryan maybe?

Does anyone agree that I'm better off with full quarters? Remember, I'm a novice.

Full quarters seem like much more of a daunting task, I'm a little intimidated by full quarters, skins seem more doable. Although, you can get NOS full quarters and have all original sheet metal, with quarter skins they are all reproduction.

Here are some pixs of a 1/4 skins and outer wheel house replacement....
http://1stgencamaro.net/gallerytwo/v/68-Camaro/quaters/

Mike,

This may sound stupid, but how do you remove the outer wheel well without taking off the panel?

Also, how can you tell if you need to replace the wheel well?

Mike,

This may sound stupid, but how do you remove the outer wheel well without taking off the panel?

Also, how can you tell if you need to replace the wheel well?

You're right, you have to replace the outer wheel well with the quarter off. You'll cut off the old panel, replace the wheel well, then the quarter. As far as knowing whether you need to replace it or not... sometimes you don't. A pretty good rule of thumb is if you have rot around the quarter wheel well opening, your outer wheel well needs replaced as well.
It may seem a little daunting, although this is the first time I've replaced quarters on a vehicle. Once you get over the initial shock of cutting into your car, things go much easier. :)

As far as ease (and time) of installation, the full quarters seem to be better. From a cost perspective, they'll be close to twice as expensive. Take your time and you'll be fine. Think things over a few times before you cut too much off. It's much easier to trim more off than add metal on.

I don't have many pics up on the web right now, although I've literally taken hundreds of them to this point. Yesterday afternoon I finished up with the fitment, and will probably start welding it up within the next week. If there's a specific picture you're looking for I'd be glad to find it for you.

http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/RhinoSS/68%20Camaro/

Thanks Ryan and everyone.

The outside Rockers need replacing also. What's the order of replacement; quarters first then rockers or the other way around?

Geneo,

Thanks for posting the pictures. The tape is a great idea.

I recommend doing rocker first then the quarter....full or 80%. Be sure to weld some small angle or square tubing to keep door opening stable and quarter window jam area from collapsing inward. Rockers and even the quarters create a large amount of frame strength. There is tons of info and pics on TC just search and study before cutting anything.

I sent you an e-mail (forwarded from me ) as I had same question and haven't attempted it yet (get lots of pics). Chris was good enough to send me a pictorial on what/how to do it.

Got it and is great!!!

Thanks a lot for sending, this will help.

Steve