Quote:
Originally Posted by tonekids
....I have patch panels for the rockers and rear quarters, but I'll need to fabricate floor panel patches and door skin patches from hand.....
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Welcome to the forum, Paul.
I am currently helping my nephew with his first body repairs. Like you, he has purchased some exterior patch panels; they are average quality, in that they are not perfect replacements and will need tweaking and massaging. His vehicle also needs a lot of floor replacement, which I am helping him form from scratch. My approach is "hands-off, I do the showing, and he does the doing.
My advice to him has been to
work the floors first, for several reasons. 1: His car is uni-body construction; having a strong floor will help support the structure when he removes panels for other repairs. 2: Less-than-perfect repairs and panels done here in his beginner's stage won't show on the finished project, they will be covered. This is the time and place do do some learning, and perfection isn't critical. 3: Some of his floor panels are lap joints, easy to do. 4: Forming his own floor panels will be a great learning experience; his metal shaping skills, welding skills, and confidence will grow. 5: By the time he is ready to tackle the outside panel replacements, he should have a good background to do the repairs that will show.