Go-carter

Hello,

Ok, I have ha -79 Euro, which under a 5-15mm thick layer of filler on the rear fenders, looked like it had been sandblasted with golf *****. Probably been rear-ended, and the dude who did the repair did a crappy job. Now, I''m not especially great in straightening body panels, and to my eye, they seem beyond repair. What temtps me(and I remember to have seen in the WSM), is to cut the rear fenders out, and replace theim with either new ones(probably at the cost of $12000 each, or something like that) or cut someone out of a parts-car, and weld them in.

What do you suggest? I've considered options like GTS rear fenders or the widebodykit from 928M to hide the dents, but that would be my last choice.

Thanks,

(and no, parting it out is NOT an option )

James Bailey

find some good used 1/4 panels and weld them in....ony down side is the galvanized coating (harmful gas), toxic plastic foam near the roof, and subsequent loss of the anti corrosion property where welded.

Mrmerlin

take the car to a body man and see if he can straighten the panels with a hammer and dolly a good metal man can get metal straight it might take some time but its better than cutting off the panel.
OTOH if the panel is too far gone then a new panel may have to be the next choice, if so consider welding on a new set of GTS fenders

Go-carter

It's already begun to rust under the filler, that's why I'm taking it off. I'll check out with the norwegian Porsche forum, if anyone there has a parts-car to chop the rear 1/4 panel out of

@Mrmerlin: Do you know of anyone who sells weld-in GTS(or similar) fenders? I'd really like to retain my car original, but that could be a easy way out if no one has a 1/4panel for me. I'll post a pic of the damages tomorrow,.

Thanks all

Mrmerlin

do a search for GTS fenders

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ght=GTS+Flairs

Go-carter

Thank you, saw that 928int sell various fenders, will mail them and see what they stock.

Pics, for those interested:

Thick layer of various fillers


Large gaps along the rear bumper


Some of the dents, in perspective

soontobered84

ouch! That's ugly! Dependent on how deep the rust is (whether it's just surface rust or deeper) you may want to just go ahead and brush up on your welding skills for this one.

jleidel

GOO! That's scary!

Pcplod

WOW, that is scary ugly man. I don't know whether to be sad or look for someone to beat with a can of Bondo!

jeff spahn

yep, weld in GTS fenders and then liberal anti rust coating

Go-carter

Thanks for the input, guys

The rust isn't really as bad as it looks, it's only mild surface rust. However, the PO has sanded trough the metal on the right hand side(the first pic) just by the door, so it's a small crack there. Welding is something I'm familiar with, so no worries there Rather welding in new panels, than straightening up those bent ones..

I'll probably have a go with a wire brush tomorrow, to reveal the whole quarter panel, and to get a grip on how much bondo it REALLY is.

Ducman82

wow thats crazy! total hillbilly job.

James Bailey

Next time you buy a car if it has steel 1/4 panels check it with a magnet.....shipping will be too much from the states. You should be able to find good 1/4s since most 928s seem to get wrecked in the front !

JHowell37

I replaced a quarter panel on my '85, and it's a job I hope to never do again.

While brand new GTS quarters are great, How much do you want to spend on a 31 year old car?

If you opt for used panels, see if you can find a donor vehicle with a complete body. It's more work for you, but you'll be able to remove as much as you need.

Make the repairs in accordance with the service manual instructions.

Weld in some backing strips along the edges that will be welded. It will make the job much easier, prevent blow through, and save time.

Control your heat and don't try to forcefully cool welded seams or else they'll shrink.

Jerry Feather

Do Not be misled about how ugly that might look. I suggest that you clean it all up by removing all of the paint and bondo and then apply a wire wheel to what is left. Then you will see what you actually have to work with. A lot can be done with body tools such as a hammer and dolly, but including a lot more. I suspect that this can be worked back to very close to what it was formed to originaly. Give it all a try.

If there is some major misalignment I would suggest you start with a body shop that can pull the panels back to where they should be and then begin the panel beating to smooth them up and put them as straight as you can get them and then put a little bondo on the result and finish it out like a good body man.

If the metal is in good condition I would forget about grafting other body panels on. I don't think you need to.

Jerry Feather