Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 00:08:36 -0400 From: Four Weis <mweinopsamcom> Subject: Re: Front quarter panel replaceable?
This sounds exactly like my old Saab. Are you sure you did not buy it from me? I used bondo and aluminum screen to create the shape of the missing steel. The can of bondo, screen and paint cost less than $10.00. The bodyshop estimates were all over $1,000 to replace and paint the quarter panel. There is a mid-price solution that I did not do. You could buy a wire feed welder (MIG) and get some steel sheetmetal and learn to do a reasonable job for less than $1,000. This should give you more strength than fiberglass and you will be ready for the secocd time it rusts out. As for trying to match the shape - think outside the box. Here is your chance to be creative. Have fun and experiment, you have nothing to lose. marsfreeradio wrote: > I have a 1986 SAAB 900s with some serious rust that has eaten about 4 > inches around the right front fender. The previous owner had patched > this rust with bondo which was falling off. I have recently removed the > patch, and wondered if it would be worth the effort to replace the > entire quarter panel. > It appears that the panel is both bolted and welded, and I have read > that it contributes to the stability of the entire frame. > > If I just repair the hole with fiberglass and filler, how can best match > the shape of the fender? I thought maybe making a mold of fender in > decent shape might be a possiblity. > > Anyone have any suggestions. > Thanks > Bob