The Ford Barn

jtucker · 04-28-2024, 04:29 PM

How can I repair a rusted out rear body corner? The available patch panels don’t fit worth a tinker’s darn. Does anyone have a suggestion?

J Franklin · 04-28-2024, 04:42 PM

You need to do a little fitting with patch panels usually always. I think do that or start from scratch. Also there are fabricating body shops if you don't mind the cost. Your choice.

Keith True · 04-28-2024, 05:43 PM

Possibly a donor car.I just sold the rear corners off one to a guy that said the repros were not available right now.I had a fire damaged coupe but the corners still had the pinstriping on them.

rotorwrench · 04-29-2024, 06:09 PM

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Having done my own metal shaping, it is safe to say that parts can be hand formed if a person has the knowledge, tooling, and a lot of practice using all that. Finding the proper materials to form with can be a challenge in the modern era. Just getting some 1008 AKDQ steel in a gauge that is close to Ford's original stuff is not easy depending on logistics. Ford rolled their own so it is always just a bit different than the standard gauges. A person can get close enough though. A lot of stuff is made from commercial grade steel and it's not as easy to form so many patch panels are just not good enough to weld right in. It's basically a matter of either trying to fit one of those or fabricating one from scratch.

Some restoration shops have the equipment to fabricate patches for their customer cars. The Fords have more sheet metal available than than most other makes but there are still restorers that will take in the makes that have little or no support for parts like this. There is no other choice than fabrication. This type of work is expensive since the machines that make the job easier are very expensive as well. It can be done without expensive machines but it takes longer and dollar per hour figures add up.

04-28-2024, 04:29 PM	#1
jtucker Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Roseville, MN Posts: 33	1931 coupe Rear corner repair How can I repair a rusted out rear body corner? The available patch panels don’t fit worth a tinker’s darn. Does anyone have a suggestion?

04-28-2024, 04:42 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,984	Re: 1931 coupe Rear corner repair You need to do a little fitting with patch panels usually always. I think do that or start from scratch. Also there are fabricating body shops if you don't mind the cost. Your choice.

04-28-2024, 05:43 PM	#3
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,000	Re: 1931 coupe Rear corner repair Possibly a donor car.I just sold the rear corners off one to a guy that said the repros were not available right now.I had a fire damaged coupe but the corners still had the pinstriping on them.

04-29-2024, 06:09 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,472	Re: 1931 coupe Rear corner repair Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Having done my own metal shaping, it is safe to say that parts can be hand formed if a person has the knowledge, tooling, and a lot of practice using all that. Finding the proper materials to form with can be a challenge in the modern era. Just getting some 1008 AKDQ steel in a gauge that is close to Ford's original stuff is not easy depending on logistics. Ford rolled their own so it is always just a bit different than the standard gauges. A person can get close enough though. A lot of stuff is made from commercial grade steel and it's not as easy to form so many patch panels are just not good enough to weld right in. It's basically a matter of either trying to fit one of those or fabricating one from scratch. Some restoration shops have the equipment to fabricate patches for their customer cars. The Fords have more sheet metal available than than most other makes but there are still restorers that will take in the makes that have little or no support for parts like this. There is no other choice than fabrication. This type of work is expensive since the machines that make the job easier are very expensive as well. It can be done without expensive machines but it takes longer and dollar per hour figures add up.