Fender Patch Failure What Went Wrong?

Fender patch panel Did we fail or is the patch not quite right? Though the patch comes from National Parts Depot, we can't fault them. Sometimes good enough is just that, good enough. Did this part outstripped our abilities? We'll see.
#Camaro
Episode 683 Autorestomod
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REPAIR PANEL, Lower Fender, Rear, RH, 16 Inches High, Repro
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REPAIR PANEL, Lower Fender, Rear, LH, 16 Inches High, Repro
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[@waynepaul9276]

If I can add something to your instructions, work that dent out prior to cutting the panel, if not you are trying to attach a straight panel to a dented panel. Another thing to consider is to only replace what you must, leave as much of the original panel in place that you can, this should lead to less work required and minimize the potential for mismatch from the patch panel to the original panel. On the bright side it’s only steel so you can make it do what you want

[@AutoRestoMod]

When I cut the panel I actually cut it above the lowest portion of that dent. Can I use as much of the panel as I felt like I needed. The biggest problem ends up being that the panel is too wide and that's what's hurting me right now

[@stevesmoneypit6137]

Just make a slice where it’s to side squeeze it together tack it! Recut same area to get rid of overlap and weld it back up. Easy fix.

[@hickeyskustomresto]

Yup, they'll likely have to do that somewhere on the new fender.

[@ronbelldvm]

I'd like to see you play with patch some more. A vertical slice about 1/8 from the edges that are too long, will allow you to move the ends to match the original. Kind of like (but not anything close to) quartering a roof panel when chopping an old car to get the corners to line up.

[@watto110]

I wanted to see what you were going to do about the surface rust on inner fender, also would like to see it finished as we’re going to run out of second hand parts eventually .

[@hotrodray6802]

Clean it as well as possible. Your choice of method. Use Corroseal, POR, or Eastwood sealer.

[@vanessapeterson-schultz7187]

Every patch panel that’s aftermarket I have had to modify. I’ve also had to make custom patches. No it’s not the repop shops fault. It’s a copy. I’ve had entire panels that need work as well. It’s the nature of this hobby. Honestly do whatever works best for you. Great stuff and putting the cars back on the road.

[@calsbarn5996]

You’ve confirmed what I’ve been hearing - aftermarket parts often require significant hammer and dolly work to make them fit. At least one company selling the patch panel for my 64 GTO fender even says to use it as a last resort because it doesn’t fit very well. Consequently I made my own patch panels (both sides) including the bottom flange where it attaches to the cowl and wheel well. Yeah, it too, an hour or two or three or…

[@alwayslearning8365]

Every attempt is a learning opportunity. Appreciate your efforts. 👍👍👍

[@AutoRestoMod]

Thanks! It's definitely a learning experience!

[@markhubanks3715]

Had the same problem with a patch panel. Went with a new fender on my 1968 Firebird. Go with you New Fender!

[@AutoRestoMod]

Trust me after I get through trying to weld this thing up that's what's going to happen😂

[@Rusty_Dents]

Give it a shot and see how it turns out. Most of us out here are going to try it as well. Appreciate the guidance.

[@AutoRestoMod]

Appreciate it! I’ll keep you updated

[@terremolander5243]

I enjoy watching you work on your projects. I did order a T-Shirt with my wife's permission. Thanks for another cool video 😊.

[@AutoRestoMod]

Yeah I saw your order come in thanks for buying a t-shirt we do appreciate it. And tell your wife I said thanks as well

[@donusmc1]

I’m replacing the floor pans in my late father’s f-250. I’ve never done bodywork and my welding and metal fab experience is limited. The replacement floor pans on the passenger side was cut crooked along the passenger door edge along the rocker panel. Me being the novice that I am, it took me a bit of swearing and frustration before I finally realized that it wasn’t me, or the truck that was out of sorts but rather the replacement panel was not cut properly. In the end I realized the crooked cut they made was excess material anyway so it all worked out but it’s been a humbling learning experience and I’m feeling better prepared now to tackle the driver side .

[@kevinfelton4886]

Jeff. Please fix this fender patch. I am fabbing all of my patches, so I do a lot of hammering.

[@jamestravis1147]

Hey Jeff- some days you eat the bear; some days the bear eats you. Sometimes learning from a few mistakes/"challenges" is a good thing. After all; those of us in your audience are learning something new every day too, right? I'd like to see you try to finish it out, just to see what *CAN* be done by this method.

[@Chevychild]

Send that fender to Fitzee he will square it up quick. Fitzee's fabrication channel 😊

[@michaelhallas6450]

That bottom part of the fender can be done with an invisible repair , of course not easy . It’s a process . Then that structure bracket has to cleaned up good , before adding new metal on top . What’s the cost of a good fender ?

[@jeffsnyder2051]

Well we can be buffoons together!! Thanks Jeff!!

[@AutoRestoMod]

Hahahahaha we need t-shirts to warn others. 😂😂😂

[@rdspeedfab]

My two cents which are actually deeply discounted so take that for what its worth. The cheaper patch panels like this never fit right up. And that is THE reason there is extra material. That patch can absolutely be made to fit and do so seamless. Honestly, most metal guys would not purchase that panel for the fact that its a flat area and 20 minutes with a shear, a break and a shrinker that panel would be made to fit. The unfortunate thing is that they panels are available and the average rebuilder/mechanic will see it and think... hey easy enough cut and weld job. it's a bit of a trap, honestly.

[@Paulie1232]

Nice job. 😊

[@AutoRestoMod]

Thanks! 😊

[@hiitsstillme]

Those re-pop panels suck, throw it out. I would have made up a nice new lower panel on a brake, it looks pretty simple. I did this stuff for nearly 20 years, back in the day. Whatever you end up doing, be sure to tack it in place first, then fit it on the car. If you weld it solid on the bench, you'll stand a good chance of distorting it. P.S.: Be sure and blast that rust on the inner brace, and coat with POR-15.

[@johnperkins7179]

Go for the new fender. Why spend the mental energy and time on something you will never really be happy with. Save that work out for something that you can really be proud of on the car.

[@stevemason6850]

The crappy body work we run in to on old cars isnt because quality work wasnt available back then.Its because car owners just wanted the beater to look good for a couple more years before it went to the crusher so they had it done in a low buck shop.Some how the car survived until modern times,and guys like us find 1/2 inch thick bondo over rags. We"re just lucky the cars even still here to work with.

[@bobb9922]

correct, selling it in 6 mo, then come back yr later complaining.

[@bobb9922]

and you don't spend 8 hrs repairing the bottom of a fender, lets see this repair after 20 yrs.......

[@garysmeal4415]

I would like to see the video of the actual repair of the factory fender,

[@89notch]

I would like to watch you try your hand with that panel.

[@AutoRestoMod]

I guess I'll go ahead and try it and see what happens. And in the meantime call Bill and tell him he needs to order a fender LOL

[@michaellowe3665]

Too bad I can't get T bird panels at NPD. I bought a QP patch from one of the only places that had them. When it arrived, it was rolled up and looked like it was hammered out of old Chinese stop signs by someone who never saw the car.

[@AutoRestoMod]

It's funny how something can be funny yet not funny. I get what you're saying sometimes aftermarket panels are a little less than what we hope for. But for guys like me who don't have a way to form panels they're the best bet you got. And yes I would really like to learn how to metal shape.

[@calsbarn5996]

@@AutoRestoMod It might not be as difficult as you think. I have a 20 ton Harbor Freight press that I designed a sheet metal bender for, a mig welder, some hammers and Dollie’s, a few angle grinders, and made a 4’ pipe anvil with pvc pipe for the 3” and 4” pieces. I’ve fabricated two complete trunk floor drops that match the originals (the aftermarket parts don’t), the wheel opening on my rear wheel well, the front part of 4 front wheel wells, the wheel opening on 3 of them, and the whole outer half of one of those fronts (mostly for practice), patch panels for 4 fenders including the brace behind the patch, and the full width inside and out of the lower 2” of the trunk lid. Also numerous smaller patches on the fenders and rear wheel well. So it doesn’t require a lot of tools. It does require patience. And without a lot of “training” from people here on KZbin I wouldn’t have even known where to start. In particular @fitzeesfabrications and @makeitkustom.

[@steveforkmining]

If you ever buy a reproduction panel, and it fits perfectly to your restoration project, immediately drop what you're doing and go buy a lottery ticket!

[@geyser3445]

I think it's best to get a whole new fender.

[@paulwortman483]

Dude what is up with those elbows???

[@floydrobinsonjr9614]

Chop Cut Rebuild that Fender. Would enjoy watching that.

[@dragonslair59]

I'd like to see you make it work. Can a guy put a sliver pie cut to fit it?

[@jagv12m]

need to see it done to learn the correct way

[@AutoRestoMod]

I'm not sure I'm the one to teach the correct way. And as far as I can tell from all the body guys I know out there there's about 46,000 correct ways😂

[@blakeneysanders4264]

Let's see it, so I know how difficult it is so I just buy the new fender. Your pain, my gain. 😂

[@AutoRestoMod]

Everybody wants to see me struggle LOL

[@og190]

The easiest way to have done that would have been to only use the corner where the rust was vs what you did trying to use the whole bottom of the fender just the way I have done some in the past

[@hickeyskustomresto]

"The patch is oversized so let's just buy the complete fender." What are you going to do when the fender is oversized.... or miss shapen, or has the wrong contour? This was a sort of a weird how to video

[@hotrodray6802]

Aftermarket stuff is not perfect. Early Mustang panels, quarters, and fenders often need hours of work... Even if you buy expensive panels. Actually the assembly line parts contours weren't perfect either. I use marine bondo that doesnt absorb water and rarely shrinks or cracks, but it is hard to sand. JME

[@davestephen7647]

Want to see it

[@DeanHayley]

I'd like to see it

[@brettemerich3237]

Just because you get a fender doesn’t mean it will fit exactly ,maybe if you buy a gm original fender you might have a better chance of a better fit

[@pl5624]

Reverse engineered import parts...they take a fender and make a mold over it then send it to tooling from the mold.you lose and gain dimensions doing it that way.

[@fredw.1170]

fix it Jeff

[@marcbondi8462]

I get what you are saying, but companies need to stop selling sub standard parts once they are aware of problems. My biggest frustration in this hobby is garbage aftermarket parts. It pays to spend more and restore an original part or get a nos one. I have even had problems with name brand high dollar engine parts having gross mistakes In recommended gaskets .

[@stephenhotzjustdriveit]

Frustrating but it's the way it goes

[@jcook69camaro]

all aftermarket parts are crap!

[@josephcross6327]

Hey Jeff please fix it

[@joshuahabeger-jj9cp]

I've done fender patch on one of those Camaros. Yeah no fun just get a new fender and save yourself the frustration and cursing.

[@amraceway]

Body work has become a stupid obsession with car people. Learn to live with imperfections. If it is to be painted who cares what is underneath. Leave as much alone as you can. Mesh from behind then bog or bondo up. Fill sill panels with expandable foam. This stiffens the car and saves all that stupid cutting and welding.By all means treat rusted areas but don't remove half the car. Every car has rust somewhere unless it is in an environment with zero oxygen and 0% humidity, that is how nature works.. Leave major cosmetic surgery to vain people.