[billyboy71]

The owner before me put on quarters and seemed to do a decent job.i was wondering what I should do next. the hole car is now in dp epoxy primer. should I put a thin layer of fiberglass resin over the seem and then body filler, or just go right for the body filler from the get go. thx

[Gambitt]

I had a quarter like this on my car for years...it was a constant problem. I finally ended up replacing the whole thing with a GM quarter. I personally don't like welded seams like that, they are very difficult to deal with...I won't say it can't be done, but a lot more work is involved. The seam will need to be completely sealed from the back to avoid moisture problems.

It does look like someone did a pretty nice job putting that one together.

[makoshark]

Would have been better for them to have put it closer to the top of the quarter, but what`s done is done. I`d use All Metal or Metal to Metal as a base filler.

[dhutton]

If it's covered with epoxy primer I would just apply a skim coat of filler and block it. Be sure to seal the back as mentioned above to keep moisture out.

Fiberglass resin would likely show a ghost line over time.

Don

[Garfields Maro]

I'm curious, what causes a "ghost line" ? I'm guessin the chosen filler expands or contracts over time?

Seems like it'd be the same situation using a full quarter where the seem joins the roof, 'course the factory used lead with a skim coat of filler. What do the professionals use ?

[1SLOW64]

Originally Posted by dhutton

If it's covered with epoxy primer I would just apply a skim coat of filler and block it. Be sure to seal the back as mentioned above to keep moisture out.

Fiberglass resin would likely show a ghost line over time.

Don

X2

[rafbody]

Originally Posted by Garfields Maro

Seems like it'd be the same situation using a full quarter where the seem joins the roof, 'course the factory used lead with a skim coat of filler.

I don't believe there was any filler originally, only the lead. I am not a body man but I have sanded a few sail panels and found only lead.

[Denvervet]

I was told to use a waterproof filler like All Metal over any areas where a seam may be exposed to moisture. Regular body filler is NOT water proof/resistant.Meaning all exterior panels or welded seams. I even do it anytime I butt-weld patches in case there are any pin holes I can't see. On the back side you could use seam sealer to keep moisture out. Ghost lines...I'm no expert so have no experience.

[Garfields Maro]

Thanks guys, yeah Russ, you're probably right. Mine had a light layer of what I figured to be glazing putty (light blue) over the lead but it'd been repainted a couple times in the past. Still though, the art of lead filler is a thing of the past....or very few still use it. So I'm still curious what folks are using to prevent ghost lines and what causes them?

FWIW, there was an article in a recent Hemmings Muscle mag where a partial 1/4 was installed in the same manner as Bills car. The guy who done the work recommended U-Pol's Fibral ....think I got that right, new to me. He advised this because it supposedly doesn't leave a "witness line".