Bus new green body panels gap - your thoughts?

[dentfreeimage]

Hello everyone, I'm in the process of restoring a 71 bay with new sheet metal. I did my best to align the rockers and quarter panel piece but it seems like I have a slightly wider gap in the lower half between the panels.

I tried closing the gap by moving the quarter panel piece closer to the rocker piece, but I would lose the adjustment on the opposite side. I also had a slight adjustment problem with the rocker / side piece. It seemed like the panel was a tad shorter than the original. Not taking away from these panels, the quality and thickness of the metal is great.

My question is, would a good seam sealer take care of the wider gap on the rear quarter/ side panel?
Thanks for the advice!

[dentfreeimage]

No answers, thought this belonged to the paint and body section. I will move it to the bay window general section.

[Bulli Klinik]

As there is such a long weld when installing that panel it's inevitable that it will shrink a bit. My preferred way of installing a long-side is to line up one side to where there is no gap, start your tacking process down the line and you end up with a small gap at the other side.

Once the panel is tacked, use a dull chisel and a hammer on the back-side to dress the metal over the B-pillar. In this photo you can see where I stretched the metal the last couple of millimeters. I left the gap at the bottom for the photo so that you can see the difference.

Good luck!
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Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[dentfreeimage]

Bulli thank you for taking time to take these pictures for me. The trick with the chisel will definitely help me close the gap between panels! Thank you again.

[busdaddy]

I'd much prefer dealing with a slightly short gap than one that's a little too big to fit in the space provided
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[Bulli Klinik]

[alaskadan]

So considering the propensity our vans have for seam rust, why not bed the vertical seam with panel adhesive upon installing it. That way it would be full and no way for water getting in. Any reason not to do this?

[Bulli Klinik]

[dentfreeimage]

[orwell84]

I had a gap between my b pillar and new front wheel arch and it drove me crazy. I got the same advice from Bulli clinic.

I made this tool out of a steel rod. I angled it a little and smoothed the edges so it wouldn’t leave marks.

I had to cut out a piece of the triangular box section to gain access. I gently walked my hammer and chisel up and down the flange to move it towards the b pillar without distorting the metal.

Not perfect, but a lot better. I wouldn’t put panel bond in there. It wasn’t hard to do. Go gently and check your progress. Epoxy prime, seam seal, another layer of epoxy prime over the sealer. I ended up using the same tool to dress the gap in the side panel too.

[Bulli Klinik]

You can’t argue with success. Nice work.
_________________
PM me about quality metal-work on your vehicle.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs