Big Time Bodywork!

[E.Buzz]

It's true: my SHO is rusty. It goes beyond the fenders and doors. My rocker panels are gone ( :sh: ), but the car is actually quite solid. I want to know how easy it is to take a SHO down to the body. Has anyone done it? I'm really obsessed with my car, and with it being my first car that I actually have the title to, I want it to be perfected. Can anyone recommend anybody? Is this a pipe dream? My dad keeps telling me it's not worth it, but to me it is. any help would be much appreciated.

 

[morpho18]

personally, i'd use the money you will end up spending on the car to fix it, to buy one that is already in good shape. I know that car has meaning to you, but over time you will probably develope a love of all SHO's...like me...I realize the one I'm driving now isn't going to be a star performer. I've got it to a place where its reliable, looks good, and I like it. It would cost me more money to make it awesome than just buying an SHO that is already...well...awesome.

 

[sideSHO]

Most of the time when rust starts,it won't stop.
You can sand down to bare metal,prime really good,then bondo.
I've done this 2 times on my SHO.This is the easiest and cheapest way.It is not the right way though.
To do it right you have to cut the rust out and put in new steel.

 

[awb85]

My rocker panels are also rusted out. I ordered new rocker panels and dog legs from rustrepair.com. I'm going to be welding them in (my first time, but it's covered by plastic so it won't have to look pretty.) I'm also going to be welding in some scrap metal, as there is some extensive rust behind the missing rocker panel.

The aftermarket body parts weren't that bad — the rocker panels were $32 each (left and right).

 

[SHO_Driver]

Mine had alot of rust but I chose to tackle it because the floors were solid along with an excellent drivetrain. Step one: cut out all the rusted areas. That included around the rear wheels, rocker panels and places all over the driver's door. Step 2: bring out the mig welder. How's your welding? Basically had to cut out new patches of metal, position them in the existing sheetmetal and tack 'em in.

After that it's all about fiberglass, bodyfiller and sanding to make it look like you never cut it. After 2.5 years those repaired areas have not resurfaced.

 

[awb85]

A friend of mine whose been helping me out here and there has a welder, and has offered to help me out with doing the repair work. Since it's all under plastic he suggested practicing welding (mig welder like you said), as it will be covered. Also I'm making this my "trial" car.

This SHO is my first car, and is also forcing me to learn lots of new things

repair after reapair — done — wait....another repair

just a continuing chain of repair, will it ever end?

 

[jelloslug]

It's an excellent way to learn bodywork. The important thing to remember is to remove all the rusty sections. There will mostly likely be some sub structures under the body that are rusted too that you won't be able to see until you remove a section first. If at all possible try to prime or paint both sides of the new panel after you weld it in place. This is imposable in some areas but the more that is covered the less chance that rust will resurface.

 

[awb85]

HEY!! I'm so excited!!

The doglegs I ordered came today (there's a lead time casue they have to make em — they use dies). They're awsome!!!!!

It runs 2/3 up from the bottom of the rear wheel well, and then out along the bottom about 4 inches (Just like the factory one — to where the lip is).

I can't wait to see the rocker panels. Also, the doglegs came with a primer coat on them. If you have access to a welder, this is deffinately the way to do it. The doglegs were $50 each, but they're a perfect fit with all the correct curves and contours. I can't wait to get welding!


www.rustrepair.com

They carry aftermarket cars for several makes — similar menu system to rockauto.

 

[E.Buzz]

Well, I'm not too good at welding, but the rockers are covered in plastic like you said. But, the first reply probably had it right. I should use the money to buy a real nice one. Oh well, I had a feeling this wouldn't work anyway.

 

[93redATX]

Hmmm...maybe I should try my hand at this type of thing. Lord knows my '91 can really benefit from some rust repair

 

[awb85]

If you do, be sure to practice before actually welding with the replacement pieces — as it would be a PINTA if they were ruined. I know I am since I never have welded before

 

[E.Buzz]

Good call. I'll have to try that. It's not too hard, I hear. With a little practice we'll all be pros in no time!
P.S. say, did you ever get your rocker panels from those guys? If so, how do they look?

 

[awb85]

Hi,

No, I haven't recieved the rocker panels yet. They have a 10 to 12 day lead time (they have to fabricate them), so they should be shipping them by the end of this week. I'm still waiting for the email.

I'm hoping they'll be as awsome as the dog legs.

 

[E.Buzz]

Well, here's to a good job!

 

[awb85]

Yeah, good luck to you. I'm hoping to start the rust repair within the next few weeks, probably mid june. I'll check back.

-Alex

 

[Ace]

all this talk about body work and rocker repair is making me cringe ever time i look at my 90 mtx mine has to be done as well and i dont know chit about welding and ai sure as **** dont want to bondo it ...hmm maybe someday