scyzoryk23

Long story short:
I was working on my suspension on my 81 vette and forgot re-tighten one wheel (got distracted by my wife). Car is still a project and was going to get full repaint in few months anyway, so its not a big deal. Live and learn.

My question is. Could this fiberglass damage could be fixed using fiberglass + bondo etc or the whole quarter panel has to be cut out and glassed in to replace the damaged one. Any way easier to do than the other? opinions?
S.
ps. I NOT looking to put flares in. Want to keep her looking stock.

CQRT

I'd say you need a replacement quarter panel and a tail cap piece. As you can see, there's a seam that runs horizontally about 2" below the body line . . I believe you'll want to replace from the seam----> down.

I'll defer to the body/glass guys . . but just my .02 - - -there's lots of body panels around that you can pick up reasonably.

Good luck-

jesse10886

sorry to see that happen to your car hope you don't give your wife too hard of a time

Clubby99

Wow... blame the wife. That is weak.

zwede

It could be fixed, but considering the work to fix it you're probably ahead by replacing the quarter and bumper cover. It looks like the bumper cover has other stuff going on anyway.

Lupigiato

Sorry to learn of your misfortune, but since it's a project car, your list just got a little bigger. Not uncommon to work on one thing, and another issue pops up, although this one was self-inflicted. Do you know how to do bodywork? As CQRT said, you can find panels at decent prices from vendors or private sellers.

mark6669

Replace the panel repairs tend to show after a few years if not done perfect.
Mark

larryg3

I would have to agree with the others you need to replace the entire panel.

427SIXPACK

C R A Z Y - G L U E

No Problem.........OUCH !

bkvette3

Replace the panel.

RIO68

Looks like there is presure on the tail of the car. The quarter is pushed forward and laying out. Once presure is taken off--the quarter should lay back close to where it should be. If it does then I would just fix the quarter. Many quarter panels have had rear sections put in them--same as frt fender sections and frt quarter sections. The challenge is to do it correctly!! Body filler is for minor imperfections etc. not to make things----My 2 cents-

70BBvert

Hopefully your wife distracted you in a good way

You're going to need to do fiberglass repairs to the upper surround anyway. Remove the tail panel and the broken piece. If the bonding strip isn't destroyed just leave it in place. There's also a piece under the fender behind the wheel that you'll need to break free from the fender. Heat gun & stiff putty knife makes it easier.

Re align the broken piece, bond everything back together and glass in the cracks from the front & the back. Make sure you use a resin compatible with SMC

If you decide the damage is to great to repair you're already half way to removing the entire quarter panel

Good luck

Jim

Easy Mike

The damage I see is repairable if you've had a little fiberglass experience. If you're wanting to do it yourself, see if you can find a copy of Eckler's book.


The Glas-Ra series (2 volumes) is also good.
http://www.glas-ra.com/

You will want SMC compatible repair materials. Keep the bondo to a bare minimum.

wolklp

There are some very good books available that address these sort of repairs. If you've never worked with glass before they'll be helpful to you in making a decision on wether you want to tackle this job. It's not just the panels that will cost but you'll need some adhesive and some fillers that you may not have - plus lots of patience. on a dificulty scale of 1 to 10 it falls somewhere in the middle. Learn all you can about glass repair before you start chiseling.

scyzoryk23

I never did any type of fiberglass repair in my life, but it all doesn't sound that much difficult, so I might as well try it (and I have ex body shop worker to help me some). If that doesn't work body shop will make more $$ out of my misery
So basically what materials I would need to do it? Can some one do a list (with links possibly).
THANKS A LOT!!!
ps. The distraction was full rack of BBQ baby ribs that my wife made for me. So of course I wasn't mad at her in any way. Totally my fault.

LannyL81

Forget the car......KEEP that wife!!!!

scyzoryk23

I just went to my garage to look closer at the damage and here are the photos:
here is when I open it up a bit:



and here is when I try to push everything together:


Now I don't know which would be simpler/cheaper/better, to try fix it or to cut the old panel out and just replace it with the new one.
S

Easy Mike

Buy the books, read the material, then make your decision. The top part of your break is right down the factory bonding seam.

Get on line with the vendors and price a replacement rear fender.

chstitans42

I have a rear fender Ill sell you off of a 79 vette that I parted out. I cut it about three inches above the bonding strip, so you should have plenty of room to work it. Im asking $50 plus shipping. Let me know
Thanks!
Ben

scyzoryk23

pm. send.