Moparts Tech Archive
Body And Paint
Patch Panel Q's
Have a Q about patch panel74duster
New Member
Posts: 28
From: Indianapolis,IN,USA
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-18-2003 08:42 PM
I have a 74 Duster, and I've got a rust hole just behind the back wheel in the fender. Its too big to just grind & putty, and too small to replace the whole fender. But I can't seem to find a patch panel. Anyone know where I could find one? or maybe another solution....like would it be too hard to bend metal to its shape (since there is no lines getting in the way)
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79powerwagon
Moparts Member
Posts: 6551
From: WI USA
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-18-2003 08:48 PM
Just make the piece, and make it much bigger than you think you'll need. Or have your body shop do it. It doesn't really cost alot to heve them do it(not around here anyway) especially a flat area like that. Then have them weld it in right away!
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74duster
New Member
Posts: 28
From: Indianapolis,IN,USA
Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-18-2003 08:57 PM
I was wondering if I should weld the peice behind the fender, then putty it, or just cut a square in the fender (to get it away from the rust), then cut a peice of metal the size of that square, and weld, grind, putty. do you think that would work? I 'd like to do it myself though, not take it to a shop
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JTerrell
Moparts Member
Posts: 1341
From: Central New York
Registered: May 2001
posted 01-18-2003 09:04 PM
Cut out all the rust. Make a patch to cover the whole. Weld and grind it and cover it with fiberglass filler then bondo.
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Bryan Plotkowski
Moparts Member
Posts: 184
From: St. Clair Shores,Michigan
Registered: Dec 1999
posted 01-18-2003 09:10 PM
I had the same problem with my 72 Charger. I took a piece of sheet metal into work and used the brake and roller they have in the maintenence dept. I bent a 75deg. lip on the bottom and a 15 bend 6in. up to form the body line and then rolled the rest a little bit to fit the form of the 1/4.
Once it was all fitted ,I bent the end over and created the wheel well lip, cleko pinned it in for fit ,and wire feed welded it in.
Not bad for my first try, still had to skim it with a little bondo.
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