69 firebird 1/4 panel seam issue - Lateral-g Forums

jlwdvm · #1 09-27-2010, 09:38 AM

Uncovering some "issues" with my current project. Previous owner replaced the quarters, but the seam is in the middle instead of up near the roof where the factory would have leaded it in. THere is a low spot across the seam that was filled in with filler over 3/16" thick on each side. I am in the process of stripping the epoxy primer off the car and will prep and reprimer since I don't trust what is undernieth. What should a first time body man do?

Ron Fox · #2 10-10-2010, 10:51 AM

How's your progress?

Any pics?

jlwdvm · #3 10-11-2010, 01:07 PM

I'm in the process of blasting the roof at the moment. The car had a vinyl roof originally, so there is some pitting the the previous owner had epoxied over. I don't trust his work, so the car is getting stripped with a 4.5" grinder and Harbor Freight stripping discs. I am trying to make sure all of the rust is out of the pits on the roof prior to applying SPI epoxy. I think my plan of attack for the sail panel will be to cut the welded seam that is at the low point of the crease, bend the 2 halves out flush, and reweld. I am racing the weather at the moment. We are having an Indian summer lately in Iowa, so I hope to have some epoxy layed down this weekend with low 70's predicted.

Rick D · #4 10-12-2010, 04:30 AM

I'm almost sure that the low spots came from heat we he welded the seam together. I would try a stud gun and see if you can pull the low spots out instead of cutting open and then tring to reweld and maybe have the same results. Also 3/16 is not all that bad, I can tell you on the collision end there are alot of guys that would love to only have 3/16 inch of filler in their work

. Also when you use the qtr skins you lose the curve of the panel from the top going down so you may need that much fill to make it look correct. As for you roof if yours looks like what mine did that rust will come back FOR SURE. Those vinyl tops are a killer on metal. I would just replace the roof panel they do not cost much (I think under $400) and are very easy to change and can be done with very little experience. I can and others can walk you through how to change it. Hope some of this helps.

jlwdvm · #5 10-12-2010, 10:37 AM

Thanks for the input Rick. I have a Dynacorn dealer about 15 miles away. I bought a new roof last night. There are still a few pits to deal with just below the rear window.

Rick D · #6 10-12-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlwdvm

There are still a few pits to deal with just below the rear window.

You know they make that part also, and again that rust WILL come back. If you can cut out the pitted area than you can save the part but if you can't I would (and did) change the lower panel also.

Ron Fox · #7 12-26-2010, 11:09 PM

How's the Bird coming along?

Any pics?

jlwdvm · #8 12-28-2010, 11:46 AM

Slow progress. It has been extremely cold for late November-December in Iowa. I got the roof and rear filler panel off and the new ones almost fitted. All of the bracing underneith was stripped, treated with Eastwood rust converter, and painted with Rustoleum satin black brush-on. I have to massage the right rear corner of the roof over the rear window before glueing and welding the roof down. I might start a build thread tomorrow.

Ron Fox · #9 01-06-2011, 10:16 PM

Sounds like good progress considering the weather.

Would like to see future pics if available.

Keep me posted.

g356gear · #10 01-07-2011, 06:32 PM

Have you thought about doing full quarters while the roof is off? It may save some time and then you know there will be NO filler in the quarters to come back and haunt you later.