ThatDaveDude

Hi all... The rocker panels on my 1985 930 need to be replaced or repaired. They have cracks in them and small dents. I initially thought the cracks were from some body work done at some point but I just removed them and it looks like maybe it is just the textured undercoating that is dried out and cracked under the paint.

Should I strip them down to bare and re-apply the bumpy undercoating? Is this done using RockerGuard or Winzer GGU? Are those all the same? I'm flying blind here...

If I buy new panels, will I still need to do this coating to get the factory-correct bumpy finish? If so, there is no need for me to buy new panels if mine strip down nicely. Strip down with heat and a putty knife? Or a sander?

Thanks!

neejah

I had a similar issue with an alfa in the UK.

Sand them down & recoat - I used a schutz gun & 3M product which is overpaintable.

It's kind of a laborious process, but I'd suspect the new panels would be bare anyway e.g. stamped with factory primer.

Amber Gramps

Wurth Stoneguard Black

ThatDaveDude

Thanks neejaha and amber... I'll check bot those coatings out. I started to try to remove the old stuff via sanding, but will likely change to heat gun and scraper and if that is not working there is a sandblasting guy near me to get them nice and clean.

ThatDaveDude

I decided to get the rocker panels sandblasted. It only took an hour or so and cost $120 (better than I could do myself with heat guns, sanders, and $100 worth of sandpaper). It turns out they are pretty darned perfect underneath. All the cracks were from the old stone guard. the newly sandblasted parts look like new and you can even see the original part number stamps again. Next up: new stone guard coating and then re-paint.

Amber Gramps

Now leave them off.

ThatDaveDude

I'll admit I like the clean, round look without the rocker panels. But I really don't want to let the rock chips get to my lower door and quarter panel areas!

1stgear

+930

ThatDaveDude

Just got the rocker panels back from the paint shop, and they look great. It's going to really improve the look of the car.

Amber Gramps

Awesome. They do look good.

ThatDaveDude

Well, I finished the rocker panels. Other than struggling with the first side's rubber moulding (I learned to use a more liberal coat of silicone on the second side), it was an easy R&R. The update makes a big difference in how old the car looks. She is young again!

1stgear

WOW! Looks great!

Michael D'Silva

Hi,, I know this is an old thread, but what is the trick to getting the rubber back onto the skirt?