78280z Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I have basically no experience with bodywork, so I need some advice on what to do about some repairs on my 280z. The passenger rear quarter panel has a 1/2" deep dent in it that is rusted. The approximate affected area is shown by the circled section in the picture below. (Picture borrowed from azizaz...I hope he doesn't mind that I use a pic of his beautiful car...) My plan of action for fixing this was to obtain an intact quarter panel, cut the dent/rust out of the existing panel and weld in the intact one. Does this sound like the best course of action? Also, there is a rust-through hole on the hood of the z where the emblem used to be. I figured that I could again cut out the rusty area, but this time use a piece of metal sheet (since this section is not contoured) to weld in. Does this sound feasible as well? Thanks for your time and thanks in advance for your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeamNissan Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Your plan is the correct course of action. Here is my project http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=123172 , you'll see I have had to do quite a bit of rust repair. Hope it helps. P.S. when in ny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted December 16, 2007 Author Share Posted December 16, 2007 I guess at this point I am looking for an intact passenger rear quarter panel for a 78 280z if anyone has some body panels. Thanks for the encouragement TeamNissan. I'm from upstate NY. After looking at your project, I am wondering how much por-15 you used during your resto? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 You say its a half inch dent with surface rust? You really don't have to replace the panel if you don't want to. I would recommend pulling the dent back out with a stud gun (welds studs to the panel, then pull it out). Clean off all rust with a grinder loaded with a flap disc. Treat with por 15 or rust bullet, and a thin coat of filler and evercoat final glaze. Would be about a million times easier then cutting/replacing the panel. You will almost certainly warp the panel badly with a welder. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted December 16, 2007 Author Share Posted December 16, 2007 Evan, thanks for the advice, but please forgive me because I think I didn't go into enough detail when describing the panel's current condition. The dent is in a section of the panel that has already been patched and patched poorly at that (saw the crappy weld seams through the speakerhole from the interior). So, pulling the dent would be nice, but I don't think it's possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Purple240zt Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 Evan, thanks for the advice, but please forgive me because I think I didn't go into enough detail when describing the panel's current condition. The dent is in a section of the panel that has already been patched and patched poorly at that (saw the crappy weld seams through the speakerhole from the interior). So, pulling the dent would be nice, but I don't think it's possible. If thats the case, your already on the right track! Good luck with your project buddy. Evan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 Sorry for the delay in responding. I wanted to get some pics of the actual car to show everyone what I'm up against as far as the bodywork battle goes. Okay here are the pics... The hole in the hood: The rear-quarter: The following three are from the driver's side: Frame in front of radiator: So, there's the rust in all its glory. I have to admit, with no experience in bodywork, every time I look at the car, I feel completely overwhelmed. So, if anyone has any advice on how to tackle these areas of rust, that would be great. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeamNissan Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 I can under stand that feeling, thats quite a job to get rid of all that rust. I think it might be easier for you to get a shell with little/no rust. It CAN be salvaged though if you want to fight for it, just takes time. Is there more structural rust besides the front rad support? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 welcome to my world! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 looks like quite a bit of rust, and as ive recently learned, theres probably much more hiding. looks like there a bit of bondo on it too, which would make me worried. welcome to my world! haha, same here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 As far as I can tell, the only other structural rust I have seen is below the driver's door on the interior. I am not sure what to do with that or with the rust on the rad support (since it is structural, I'd imagine I can't just cut and weld in sheet metal). I am willing to fight for the rest, though, where I can cut and weld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeamNissan Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=125985 "ANYTHING is fixable" For the rad support/hood maybe rear 1/4's I can help you out as I chop up shells when I'm done stripping them. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 Thanks for the offer TeamNissan, I'm definitely going to need some metal to weld in when I cut those rust spots out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 "ANYTHING is fixable"you'd be a bit hesitant to say that if you saw my 240z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Careless Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 looks like there a bit of bondo I'm going to make this post, and wait for RacinJitter to chime in and tell everyone about the 30lbs bag of bondo and fibreglass that I've been saving in the passenger area of my s30, so that I can total it all up. It would be twice the weight if I had not used a wire wheel to strip the rest of the bondo off after I realized that using a hot metal scraper and a heat gun was just too time consuming. IT IS relaxing though =) my advice to anyone taking on a big project like this is to expect a surprise and prepare for it. save some extra cash should there be an unforseen issue, and definately make sure that you take your time. IT ALWAYS shows up in the end. A high build primer won't be your saving grace, so don't rely on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 So today I got the Z into the shop and really started looking over the rust. The interior and frame are alright, but the other body panels need some help (to say the least). At this point I would say I need a replacement passenger rear quarter, replacement panel for the lower rear quarter behind the driver's side rear wheel, both rocker panels, replacement panels for both fenders just behind the front wheels, and a patch panel for the hole in the hood. If anyone has some of this stuff and is willing to sell for a reasonable price since I'm currently a student, let me know, I can't stand to see that rust any longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 So today I got the Z into the shop and really started looking over the rust. The interior and frame are alright, but the other body panels need some help (to say the least). At this point I would say I need a replacement passenger rear quarter, replacement panel for the lower rear quarter behind the driver's side rear wheel, both rocker panels, replacement panels for both fenders just behind the front wheels, and a patch panel for the hole in the hood. If anyone has some of this stuff and is willing to sell for a reasonable price since I'm currently a student, let me know, I can't stand to see that rust any longer! I will be honest with you......SELL IT/SCRAP IT. Quite while you are ahead, if you are up in the Albany area....I can give you some contact info for the Z club up that way. Might be a car in better shape for a decent price. That car you have will take hours on hours and money that will be wasted, trust me. Let me know if you would like to speak about that via phone. Replacement panels are not cheap at all, so look to save your money for a clean shell. Clive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 EvilC, I definitely see your point. However, I'm conflicted since Z's are so hard to come by here in NY, especially one with a clean shell. Plus, I am in college, so I need to find a good deal as well. So, I guess if you know someone who is selling a clean shell for a reasonable price, let me know. Thanks for your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilC Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 EvilC, I definitely see your point. However, I'm conflicted since Z's are so hard to come by here in NY, especially one with a clean shell. Plus, I am in college, so I need to find a good deal as well. So, I guess if you know someone who is selling a clean shell for a reasonable price, let me know. Thanks for your input! I just left upstate ny few months back from college...alfred, ny. I bought my car in Rochester, Ny for $1500....really clean car. They are still out there. What is your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78280z Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 My budget right now (realistically) is under $1000. That might be tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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