11 replies to this topic

[finch661]

I have finally reached the starting point of my mini resto (i started in the rear passenger side of the car and worked my way round - replacing the wing, a-panels, flitches, rear quarter, arch, boot, valance) and came to the passenger rear quarter. I found a small hole right at the back where the rear quarter joins the valance, so bought a repair panel for it. I have cout out the rotten part and found that the lip of the arch plus a bit of the arch are also a bit rotten

 

 

I have already had to repair the arch in a few places, it seems ok at the top and sides. but after seeing what my other arch was like i am worried about it

 

what do you think the best repair should be; seems to be two options

1. patch up the arch and create a lip for the repair panel to weld to (or weld the panel to the arch?)
2. replace the rear quarter and whole (or even part) of the arch, as well as any other bits of rot i find

optoin 2 seems like the best, but it will be more expensive and time consuming to do.  I should point out that the other part of the rear quarter (where it meets the sill) was repaired last year

 

 

rich

 

[sonikk4]

Personally change the complete quarter panel and the outer arch section. Better in the long run.

[finch661]

Personally change the complete quarter panel and the outer arch section. Better in the long run.

that what i was thinking (shall i give you my wife's number - you can tell her!)

[One step at a time]

Personally change the complete quarter panel and the outer arch section. Better in the long run.

that what i was thinking (shall i give you my wife's number - you can tell her!)

😄😄Love this. We all have one then.

[Daz1968]

magnum rear quarters are only about £30 so not really an expensive fix and could save time

[finch661]

looks like i will replace the rear quarter and arch (plus other bits), managed to prod a big hole in the rear seat next to the arch... its rotten

[sonikk4]

Sounds standard to me. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes but if there's any doubt with rust remove it completely. Mini panels are too thin so even removing surface rust can be detrimental to strength in that area. Arches are renowned for rotting out once started. Even though bigger panels like a quarter panel look like a big job it's easier to do one of those which then will remove any rust completely rather than going back and back with any other rust.

Plus it gets you superb access to the hidden areas you don't generally see. A pain, yes it can be but ultimately you will know it's all removed and won't ruin any fresh paintwork etc if it's left to fester.

[finch661]

Sounds standard to me. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes but if there's any doubt with rust remove it completely. Mini panels are too thin so even removing surface rust can be detrimental to strength in that area. Arches are renowned for rotting out once started. Even though bigger panels like a quarter panel look like a big job it's easier to do one of those which then will remove any rust completely rather than going back and back with any other rust.

Plus it gets you superb access to the hidden areas you don't generally see. A pain, yes it can be but ultimately you will know it's all removed and won't ruin any fresh paintwork etc if it's left to fester.

You dont sound like a broken record, i appreciate all the advice! I would rather do it properly to make sure the car will last. My worry was that patching it will lead to the condition of the other wheel arch and quarter. Its not that big of a job, now that i have done it once before (or at least i am not as scared of doing it), more the cost and time. I was thinking i was finished welding!

 

Might as well do it properly once, than badly twice!

[sonikk4]

 

Sounds standard to me. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes but if there's any doubt with rust remove it completely. Mini panels are too thin so even removing surface rust can be detrimental to strength in that area. Arches are renowned for rotting out once started. Even though bigger panels like a quarter panel look like a big job it's easier to do one of those which then will remove any rust completely rather than going back and back with any other rust.

Plus it gets you superb access to the hidden areas you don't generally see. A pain, yes it can be but ultimately you will know it's all removed and won't ruin any fresh paintwork etc if it's left to fester.

You dont sound like a broken record, i appreciate all the advice! I would rather do it properly to make sure the car will last. My worry was that patching it will lead to the condition of the other wheel arch and quarter. Its not that big of a job, now that i have done it once before (or at least i am not as scared of doing it), more the cost and time. I was thinking i was finished welding!

 

Might as well do it properly once, than badly twice!

 

 

To put this into perspective i decided to finish removing the rear arches today and after taking the r/h one out and splitting it the rust has got into the joints and badly pitted it. I was going to save it but no point so new needed. I really did not want to have to do that but needs must.

[finch661]

 

 

Sounds standard to me. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes but if there's any doubt with rust remove it completely. Mini panels are too thin so even removing surface rust can be detrimental to strength in that area. Arches are renowned for rotting out once started. Even though bigger panels like a quarter panel look like a big job it's easier to do one of those which then will remove any rust completely rather than going back and back with any other rust.

Plus it gets you superb access to the hidden areas you don't generally see. A pain, yes it can be but ultimately you will know it's all removed and won't ruin any fresh paintwork etc if it's left to fester.

You dont sound like a broken record, i appreciate all the advice! I would rather do it properly to make sure the car will last. My worry was that patching it will lead to the condition of the other wheel arch and quarter. Its not that big of a job, now that i have done it once before (or at least i am not as scared of doing it), more the cost and time. I was thinking i was finished welding!

 

Might as well do it properly once, than badly twice!

 

 

To put this into perspective i decided to finish removing the rear arches today and after taking the r/h one out and splitting it the rust has got into the joints and badly pitted it. I was going to save it but no point so new needed. I really did not want to have to do that but needs must.

 

Yeah you might as well seeing as you have the rear quarter off (no point removing it again in a few years)

 

 

 

Well this is what i have now. I could put a patch in and hope for the best, but looks like the rot is right along the wheel arch seam and the bulkhead seam. Good thing is though is that all the sound insulation tar stuff is so brittle, it can be simply picked up!

Edited by finch661, 02 April 2015 - 09:34 AM.

[finch661]

spent today removing the quarter and arch. glad I did as the lower part of the arch and boot (where it joins tge arch) is rusty. also found the possible source of my rot, I found a patch in where the arch support is (bulkhead one) over a rusty patch. luckily the rot hasnt spread too much

[Cooperman]

It's a bit daunting the first time you cut a major area out to replace full panels like front wings & front panel and A-panels, but once you have done it you'll be surprised at how easy it is compared to patching and it is very satisfying once finished. The satisfaction of a 'job well done' is part of the fun of classic restoration and knowing it is 'right' not 'bodged' is great. Take lots of photos for the vehicle restoration record.