GTS Customs - 495 E. Easy Street, Unit "B", Simi Valley, California 93065 805.587.2137
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Indentify and Remove
Remove the paint from the bonding joints so you can see where the quarter panel separates. With a blade or screwdriver begin to remove the original quarter panel. Work your way around the edge like this and the panel should come off fairly easy. The new panel will go on just like an original replacement would.
Prep
This is what it should look like with the panel removed correctly. The bonding strips should be intact and all bonding adhesive should be removed.
Grind
Grind the underside of the new panel to get a nice fit and to insure a good bond.
Dry Fit
Put the panel in place and mark where it might need trimming. Remove and trim as necessary.
Trim and Pilot Holes
When you’re happy with the fit and position of the new panel drill 1/8 holes and use #8 pan head screws to hold the panel in place. It usually takes between 4 and 6 screws to hold the panel tight to the body. These will act as alignment points when you are bonding the panel in place. Make sure the bodylines at the door and tail lamp panel match at this step.
Bonding
Remove the screws and panel. Apply bonding adhesive to the bonding strips around the edge of the panel only. It is not necessary to apply bonding adhesive to the baffles at this time, you will notice there is a large gap between the new panel and the baffles that will need to be filled later. The area outlined is the front baffle that you don’t need to bond at this time
Adhesive and Placement
Place the panel onto the body and use an awl to line up the screw holes. Put the screws in the holes,and clamps if necessary,along the lower tail lamp bonding strip. Let the bonding adhesive cure before moving on to the next step.
DA Sand and Feather
Remove all screws and clamps. The next step is optional but recommended to prevent the seams from shrinking back over time. With 40 grit on a D.A. sander feather down the fiberglass on both sides of the seam. I like to go down to the bonding strip between the panels and feather out about one inch on each side.
Feather Screw Holes
Feather out around any remaining screw holes as well.
Fiberglass Patch
Apply fiberglass in the feathered area including over the screw holes. Use polyester resin and fiberglass matte to do this. Build the fiberglass up thick enough so it will fill the feathered area.
Sand Fiberglass Patch
After the fiberglass has cured (placing heat lamps over the fiberglass after it has set up is recommended for complete cure) sand the raised areas down with 40 grit on a D.A. sander.
Blocking
Follow that up with 80 grit on a hand block until smooth and straight.
Filler
If necessary you can use filler to finish your bodywork.
Hand Block
Hand block with 80 grit and finish off with 150 and you’re ready for primer.
Primered
This is what it should look like after primer.
step by step instruction