Hello,

This may be a dumb question but I will ask anyway. I recently purchased a 67 RS. It is an Arizona car so it has minimal rust. What I do have is a rust hole the size of a quarter on the bottom rear edge of the rear wheel well and the start of cancer that is almost through the metal on the quarter panel seem by the trunk on other side. What is the best method to repair the panels? I don't need a whole quarter panel, only 2 small parts.

Thanks.

Really, there is only one good answer to your question and that is to cut out the rust damaged area and weld in new sheetmetal. It's kinda like cancer, though, so be real sure you get all the rust and have the welding done by someone that understands the phrase "butt welding".

yea and after that put on some por-15 to prevent it from rusting more.

Metal Patching as stated above is the best way from a purist perspective. Here is another that I got from a restoration Pro. Remove all rust, POR-15, then spray "Great Stuff" foam insulation, let cure, shape to form, then bondo over. I did this on my interior door jambs where I had a hard time trying to form metal patches on the compound curves. It worked great and is still holding up. After you paint, squirt motor oil inside your trunk against the quarter and wheel well housing.

JD

John Doyle,

If the foam ever gets wet, it will retain the water and cause the panel to rust inside out faster. I'd hate to take my car to that Restoration Pro. A true Pro would cut and weld.

I guess the best way is to cut and fully but weld the patch panel. After that, Por-15 the inside as mentioned before.

[This message has been edited by Allen M (edited 04-09-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Allen M (edited 04-10-2001).]

Putting oil between the wheelwell and quarter, sounds like a good idea, as it would take the place of water. http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

Allen,

Really, that foam will not absorb water at all. It's a cheaper alternative to metal patching for the do-it-yourselfer.

JD

Cut an weld is still the best way. Camaros prices keep going up over here. I've seen lots of cars that use non-metal patch work. They often crack around the edge because it doesn't expand or contract like the surrounding sheet metal. It takes more time to repair something that was already worked on. If you're already in there, fix it right. It'll cost twice as much if it comes back after you painted it. If you got a Classic, do it right the first time once. That's my opinion.

I know new metal would be best but seen an article in May 2001 issue of Car Craft where they used the por 15 floor restoration kit to fix rusted floor board in a first gen. Por 15 recommends this kit highly for small rust areas. Kit cost around $120 and comes with enough stuff to do several large trunk anf floor sections. Its on page 58. Sounds like second best alternitve to me....Thers also a sweet 69 camaro on page 98....Luke