Rear 1/4 panel patch for an 04 Grand Prix?

[BANDIT]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has found a source for the rear drivers side 1/4 panel? I'd like just a repair patch for the area from the fuel opening to the wheel well or the entire 1/4 panel just to get a patch I can cut out. Or is this one of those jobs where I'll have to get just a flat piece of sheet metal and fabricate it to fit? I've searched the forum to see if it was posted but came up with nothing and the area I'm asking about seems like a common area for rust.

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

They don't make one as far as I know.

You'd have to custom make it yourself or go to the junkyard and cut the section of metal out you want from a car there, if you can find one.

 

[BANDIT]

Thanks Five, I googled 04 Grand Prix 1/4 panels to death but no one makes them. Hoping someone here had a source, oh well I guess I can try the wreckers or have to get the hammer and dollies out and just start pounding. Tack, bang-bang, tack, tack, bang-bang, tack, tack, mother f****r! :th_angry-teeth:

 

[idrivejunk]

Aftermarket quarter panels are only made for classics. GM has quarter panels for over $300, and salvage yards are wanting over 400. So I would definitely say make it if theres not a solid one in your local junkyard. For fabrication, make the panel with posterboard first then transfer to metal. Its much easier that way.

 

[mguzzo]

the panel in that area is a double layer - there's the inner wheel well and outer skin. The reason is rusts is because moisture gets trapped up between the layers, and there is a foamy goop insulator around the gas door area. You'd have to work on the panel from the outside and inside the trunk as well.

 

[BANDIT]

Thanks for the tips guys, guess it'll be a home made cut and patch (poster board template) and topped with a yet to be determined application of Bondo.
As far as working from inside the trunk, will removing the inside cardboard panel give me access to the inside of the outer skin?

 

[ItHurtz]

When I put a temp plate in that area 7 years ago there is no way in hell you can access that from the trunk. Its a big void between the outside metal and trunk. Finish on the outside and then maybe perhaps look up underneath the bumper cover area to seal off the inside?

 

[BANDIT]

Once I get a section cut out I'll scope

the rest of the skin to see how bad it is inside. I've heard Crown sells a can of their rust spray and depending on how bad the rot is in the rest of the fender I may just give it a spray then weld the piece in place. Then for the actual piece once it's cooled drill a small access hole from the trunk so I can coat the new patch. It doesn't have to be perfect seeing as it's my winter beater since I got the G8, but I want it to be a winter car for as long as possible. Have to get an exhaust from the cat back as this one is almost falling off, just a stock set up as I don't want to invest a bunch of money and since I'm now retired the labour, knuckle skin, blood and burns are free :th_laugh-lol2:. I may document my progress depending on how well it goes.