Wasn't sure where to post this...

Finally had to remove one of my loose body panels over the weekend . Went to a local custom shop and the bastards were trying to charge me $250 to fix it. I have more time than money so I figure I will at least attempt to fix it myself. Looking for any tips or suggestions.

This is my plan of action: stripping, sanding, and cleaning the surface. Spraying a coat of primer so the glue/tape has something to attach to, and then reapplying the panel.

One custom shop suggested using 3m auto tape. judging from another loose panel it looks like the shop who put them on originally couldn't decide on tape or glue so they switched throughout the panels.

Any advice as to which one will be better? I know there's plenty of handy men on here that will have some great ideas so please share

also half the panels are riveted and the other half are screwed on. Any comments on which method would be better?

Here are some pics ...



I think half the reason the panels are coming off is the shop that originally applied the kit grinded off the paint where the glue/tape was applied so there was nothing for the glue to adhere to.



any help will be greatly appreciated

 

I can't see the pics, just a couple of ? marks in boxes.

 

Oops... stupid mac

 

Parts store primer is porous, it will absorb moisture and cause rust. Primer is for temporary protection until the final paint is applied, not meant to last long. Real body shops use epoxy primer, seals out moisture excellent but probably costly and must be sprayed with a gun. I would sand and primer then coat with some parts store color match paint. The paint would be mostly for protection and you can keep it behind the panel so matching isn't a problem, although it should match pretty well. Then 3M molding tape should work well but position it carefully. I've pulled off paint trying to reposition trim.

 

good points ^^^^ Thank you. And obviously by looking at the area now, I'm not too worried about color matching. lol

 

I agree with sean, just do what he said and you should be golden. And yes that 3m molding tape is amazing.

 

what's your guys opinion on rivets vs. screws?

 

rivets: usually the "proper" way to do it

screws: usually the easy way to do it


I used screws to hold on body panels on the $150 Escort I once had, but the only thing I've used screws for on my truck is the mud-flaps.

 

I try to avoid using rivets as much as possible. A nut and bolt would be better than a screw if space provides.

 

my bad on mechanical terminology. I was referring to nuts and bolts vs. rivets. Right now all of the panels are half and half without any rhyme or reason so I figure If I am going to re-do them I might as well be consistent. I had to end up cutting the bolts off because they were so stripped and rusted over but the rivets in a few spots seem to have cracked the fiberglass....I can't win.