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Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure?
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:11 am    Post subject: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

I cut my car smaller than my patch to be safe, I cant seem to be able to have confident measurements, party because the 2 panels (inner and outer) are joint at the wheel well, I feel like I have no point of reference on the outside so figured of the inside fits the outside panel should? any advice appreciated, here are some pics of my lousy "draft-fit". I honestly have nothing to go on here.
thank you all in advance,

Zaid

PS: I have a bigger repair on the left rear and 2 more spots so I need to figure out a fool proof way to do this.


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Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Last edited by SupBeetle4Zaid on Tue Mar 13, 2018 3:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
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theKbStockpiler
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:44 am    Post subject: Re: fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

Make your seam where you will be able to reach it with a grinder and if possible will hide the seam. Doing a butt weld with or without a gap is the way to go because it will tolerate bad fit up. If you only have to replace the part that is under the fender bead do that because it won't show.
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 7:57 am    Post subject: Re: fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

theKbStockpiler wrote:
Make your seam where you will be able to reach it with a grinder and if possible will hide the seam. Doing a butt weld with or without a gap is the way to go because it will tolerate bad fit up. If you only have to replace the part that is under the fender bead do that because it won't show.


I dont have to go over the fender, but then how do i make sure my botls are in thr right place? Im just so worried id cut too much and end up ruining my patch panels.
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:26 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

You could lay the patch panel on top of the piece to be patched with the holes lined up and then make index marks on the edge of the patch piece and to where it mates. Clamp the patch on and thread bolts through a few of the holes to get in oriented.
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 10:46 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

theKbStockpiler wrote:
You could lay the patch panel on top of the piece to be patched with the holes lined up and then make index marks on the edge of the patch piece and to where it mates. Clamp the patch on and thread bolts through a few of the holes to get in oriented.


I would but there are 2 layers ti the patch so doesnt lay flat against the surface, im thinking of covering the whole cut are with tape or peel and stick sheet and make holes where the holes are and then peeling it off that and sticking it on the new patch panel, would that be acxurate or also o and so?
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

I've tried doing the tape thing, you can see that here-


Link


It works pretty well, but you still have to make a little room for error. Just make sure you line up the tape on the replacement piece right. When I cut mine out and ground it, I ground a bit too much off one side and had to fill it with weld.
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 3:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

I clamp new piece on top of old after I make a rough cut. Then I cut through both panels a little at a time with a small cutting wheel, remove the excess, and tack the butt joint. After you go all the way around you should have a butt joint that fits perfectly.
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 1:47 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

67ctbug wrote:
I've tried doing the tape thing, you can see that here


Is there a part 2? Great video and repair, well done! My repair is much bigger so the peel and stick ripples too much for me to be able to fit it on the repair piece as well as it was on the original one so.. Need to figure out another way.

kman wrote:
I clamp new piece on top of old after I make a rough cut. Then I cut through both panels a little at a time with a small cutting wheel, remove the excess, and tack the butt joint. After you go all the way around you should have a butt joint that fits perfectly.


Im not sure I understand, you cut both panels in parallel while they are clamped on top of one another? Iv seen your build log, please dont assume I have half your skills, unbelievable drive-way paint job!
Im very hesitant with the cutting.
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kman
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 5:29 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

SupBeetle4Zaid wrote:


kman wrote:
I clamp new piece on top of old after I make a rough cut. Then I cut through both panels a little at a time with a small cutting wheel, remove the excess, and tack the butt joint. After you go all the way around you should have a butt joint that fits perfectly.


Im not sure I understand, you cut both panels in parallel while they are clamped on top of one another? Iv seen your build log, please dont assume I have half your skills, unbelievable drive-way paint job!
Im very hesitant with the cutting.


If at all possible yes. A thin cutting wheel leaves a perfect gap to butt weld. also test and retest fit. Look at from all angles. go slow with the welding. shape and do hammer dolly work as you go. I never do one task after the other. I usually have the grinder, welder, hammers and dollies, clamps. all in arms reach when fitting a panel.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 4:12 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

SupBeetle4Zaid wrote:
I cut my car smaller than my patch to be safe, I cant seem to be able to have confident measurements, party because the 2 panels (inner and outer) are joint at the wheel well, I feel like I have no point of reference on the outside so figured of the inside fits the outside panel should? any advice appreciated, here are some pics of my lousy "draft-fit". I honestly have nothing to go on here.
thank you all in advance,

Zaid

PS: I have a bigger repair on the left rear and 2 more spots so I need to figure out a fool proof way to do this.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I'm guessing that the smaller piece is the one you cut off your car. Do you have the fender bolt holes still near the rear apron?
If you do, can you mount the fender to the new patch and bolt in the last bolt in the apron (closest to the bumper), to "clock" the patch and line up the reveal line below the window to get it vertically in position.

Dan
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:53 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

Danpa wrote:


I'm guessing that the smaller piece is the one you cut off your car. Do you have the fender bolt holes still near the rear apron?
If you do, can you mount the fender to the new patch and bolt in the last bolt in the apron (closest to the bumper), to "clock" the patch and line up the reveal line below the window to get it vertically in position.

Dan


I have only one bolt hole which is the one closest to the front of the car, theres a broken bolt in it that I had to extract to fix the patch piece, I am using your method to draft fit and once Im happy with the initial fit I will try what Kman suggested, but my god its going slow, fitting the panels are definitely my least favorite part of the project, IT SUCKSSS!
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 12:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

SupBeetle4Zaid wrote:
67ctbug wrote:
I've tried doing the tape thing, you can see that here


Is there a part 2? Great video and repair, well done! My repair is much bigger so the peel and stick ripples too much for me to be able to fit it on the repair piece as well as it was on the original one so.. Need to figure out another way.
Thanks! Yeah here is part 2-

Link
they make these rolls of masking tape that are like 2 feet wide, that might work Laughing
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 3:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

67ctbug wrote:
they make these rolls of masking tape that are like 2 feet wide, that might work Laughing


Thanks! and keep up the good work, My repairs are way too visible so Im afraid the margin or error the rippling in the tape causes is not affordable in my case.

What im doing now is going at a snail's pace cutting and grinding bits here and there until its just right, its not easy and I keep second guessing myself, spent 4 hours today and made very little progress as I have 1 huge and 2 fairly big repairs as well as 2 smaller ones but all together even the small ones are bigger than your repair... Im in too deep Razz
thanks again buddy!
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 6:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

Okay, how about this...

Go to the other side of the car and make horizontal and vertical lines from the center of the first 4 or 5 bolt holes to the edge where the fender bead sits. Measure horizontally from the edge of the door jamb to each of the vertical lines.
Next, lay a straight edge (angle iron or similar) though the rear side window openings and measure down to each horizontal line.

Transfer these lines to the other side with masking tape and a fine marker.

This should give you a grid work to align the other side.

Dan
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 4:37 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

Danpa wrote:
Okay, how about this...

Go to the other side of the car and make horizontal and vertical lines from the center of the first 4 or 5 bolt holes to the edge where the fender bead sits. Measure horizontally from the edge of the door jamb to each of the vertical lines.
Next, lay a straight edge (angle iron or similar) though the rear side window openings and measure down to each horizontal line.

Transfer these lines to the other side with masking tape and a fine marker.

This should give you a grid work to align the other side.

Dan


Dan, This is the fool proof method iv been looking for, thank you! Will try it out today
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 11:30 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

this is how far Iv gotten, slowly but almost surely, little gaps here and there but nothing I cant weld

this side of the panel is fitted:


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



still working on the right side:


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.




and this is the smaller of the 2 rear quarter repairs, check out this pending panel:


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 10:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

SupBeetle4Zaid wrote:
this is how far Iv gotten, slowly but almost surely, little gaps here and there but nothing I cant weld

and this is the smaller of the 2 rear quarter repairs, check out this pending panel:


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I did that!
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:29 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

Oh man that looks like its never coming back together, seems like a real challenge to fit! And you got it absolutely flush, impressive, but how!
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 9:02 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

SupBeetle4Zaid wrote:
Oh man that looks like its never coming back together, seems like a real challenge to fit! And you got it absolutely flush, impressive, but how!


One tack weld at a time! Lots of fitting of the piece before final welding. I welded tabs to the inside of the piece, and used those to attach the piece to the car with Cleco fasteners, and trimmed until I had a uniform gap. Then I used duraglass on any low spots. Every other repair after that was a piece of cake! Wink
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SupBeetle4Zaid
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 11:37 am    Post subject: Re: Fitting patch panels from donor to my car, how do I measure? Reply with quote

Iv mixed all the suggested techniques (the ones i have the skill for anyway) and this is the dry fit, its too flush in places and some patches are needed but overall Im happy with how far iv gotten, I bet like beetlenut said, even during the same repair it keeps getting easier so im hoping the rest of them will go faster


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