69' Charger patch panels question:

[Captain D]

Hi guys,

As I sanded my Charger down to the bare metal, I noticed that the previous owner pop-riveted the metal area directly in front of the rear wheels. Then, he put layers upon layers of bondo over top. I had to use a grinder to cut away all of the bondo and what as left of the thin aluminum metal that he pop-riveted.

After I cut all of that out and treated the remaining metal, I've been looking for patch panels. This is one car I refuse to patch and bondo the heck out of  . I came across several manufacturers ranging from The Paddock to an online store off "*bay" called PartsUnlimited. My question to you guys is this...are they all pretty much the same regardless from whom I purchase from or does anyone here recommend any one seller particular as having the best fitting? Also, any tips, suggestions, idears, ect. from those who have undertaken this task would also be appreciated!
Thanks again for your time & help!
Aaron

[Charger-Bodie]

The patch panels fit terrible. youre best bet is to buy a 1/4 skin and use it for the patches you need.

[hemi-hampton]

I agree, in the old days all the 1/4's & patches were made by the same people & fit like crap. Things are getting better but if you want quality & not alot of Bondo then just buy a complete NOS style 1/4 from Ron Lucia, (Forgot the name of his company?) and install whole thing. Even with patches you'll be welding & then grinding welds then Bondoing all this. LEON.

[Captain D]

Thanks guys for the responses! Hmmm, I didn't quite figure on the 1/4 skins for both sides, considering the amount of $$ to undertake that task.  But, just the same, I want to do a good job on this Charger & I'm not ruling that alternative out altogether and you made some good points on welding, then grinding it down, and finally ending with bondo if I use the patch panels. So...something to ponder over I suppose   .

Thanks again for the replies and helpful info!
Kindest regards,
Aaron

[Mike DC]

If the damaged area is within reason then there's no need to replace the whole panel. 

Whole panels commonly get done because the cars these days are VERY bad.  And the biggest panels tend to be the most recently-tooled items in the reproduction world, so they're the only ones that actually fit anywhere near correctly.  (I agree with the sentiment that the best way to get patches is to order a bigger skin and cut it down to what you need.)  A lot depends on the size & shape of the damage you're dealing with. 




I agree that Ron's full quarters ("Classic Body Design") are the best Charger quarter panels to be produced since the 1960s.  I've held them in my hands and they're GOOD.  If you can afford them, these are the ones to get.  AMD will probably make a good item too, but they're not real yet. 

If you are paying a shop to install these panels, the fitting problems with the other quarter panel options would probably cost enough labor-hours to recoup the price difference of these more expensive panels.  (You might notice that people talk in glowing tones about the good fit of the newer panels.  It's because the older ones SUCK.)



If you are just doing a patchwork but you don't want to do the whole panel, then I would buy the Goodmark-produced quarter "skin" panel that everyone has been using for so many years.  Just cut what you need from that.  It's the black electroplated one that stops on the top horizontal surface of the panel. (If you spliced the panels at the point where the reproduction stops, then the seam would go right through the gasoline filler cap.)  There's nothing unprofessional about doing this if you get ALL the rust out and you make the seams clean. 

[hemi-hampton]

I wouldn't like the idea of paying $1,500 for a nice Ron 1/4 & then cut out patches from it. Then your using $100 worth of patches from it & tossing about $1,400 away since the rest of the cut up 1/4 nobody will want. Big wast of money. If thats the case just buy patches or use the whole 1/4. LEON.

[Charger-Bodie]

I wouldn't like the idea of paying $1,500 for a nice Ron 1/4 & then cut out patches from it. Then your using $100 worth of patches from it & tossing about $1,400 away since the rest of the cut up 1/4 nobody will want. Big wast of money. If thats the case just buy patches or use the whole 1/4. LEON.

I think we are trying to say use the SKIN for patches not the full replacement 1/4.

Unless the car needs full panels, in that case use the full 1/4s.

Capishe?

[Blown70]

K am I a retard, if it is not that big just make your OWN, get a piece of metal and make what you need?   

[Charger-Bodie]

K am I a retard, if it is not that big just make your OWN, get a piece of metal and make what you need?   

That is also an option if you have the skills to do so. 

[hemi-hampton]

I make my own all the time. If the edges are saveable/solid this way works out good as it retains the original look. I guess post a Picture so we can see what kind of damage you talking about, if it's major or minor? LEON.

[Captain D]

file:///A:/0723081829-1.jpg

[hemi-hampton]

Didn't see a Pic

[Captain D]

Sorry about that...I'm not the best w/ puters'  I took a real good close up pic of my damaged area today. I'll see if the girlfriend can help me post. Again, I apologize, but I'll see what I can do...

Kind regards,
Aaron

[Captain D]

As for the pic, I'm still having difficulties posting. Anyhow, in the meantime, I am considering the 1/4 skins. If I may ask...are they thinner than the originals or about the same thickness/gauge as the originals? Also, are they "exact" as the originals or have people had problems with the form/fitting (there seem to be a lot of * bay, such as adealasap, ect.)?

Thank you again for the responses,
Aaron

[hemi-hampton]

Last I knew the skins were around $200 & fit like crap. NO, NOT like Originals. On one of the e -body 1/4 skin they even throw in a free extra body line that dont exist on bottom rear of 1/4. LEON.

[Captain D]

Man, that sux if the skins don't fit good neither. Is it pretty much all repro 69' Charger 1/4 skins or does, say Year One, have a better fitting product?

Thanks again for any responses,
Aaron

[hemi-hampton]

At one time only Sherman & Associates made & sold the 1/4's. Then Year one sold Shermans also. Then Goodmark started reproducing (what I consider a better part) Parts & Year one sold these also. Now, who know's where they are coming from, Many places jumping on the bandwagon nowadays. All the Shermans or cheaper skins need to be trimed along edges as you'll have extra. I hate when I see a restored car that has inner rear wheel lip about 2 inches to wide because they did not know they were suppose to trim off the extra . If you want a quality repair buy NOS, Rons like NOS aftermarket or solid 100% rust free used 1/4. None of these last 3 options are cheap or easy. Pick a winner. LEON.