So now that you have removed your trunk filler panel and prepared the area for the new one, here are a few basic things to check before you begin joining metal. We are fortunate to have options for replacement panels for GM A-Body cars – many others doing restoration have a much more limited set of options (like donor car or hand-fab). One thing to be careful of is make sure you have the correct trunk filler panel for your installation. Not all GM A Body trunk filler panels are the same, although they appear to be! Some people complain about the reproduction panel not fitting well and believe it is a poorly manufactured one only to find out they received the wrong part so naturally it doesn’t fit well. It is also a fact of life that your new panel may require some adjustment (as did the one in this case). It is best to plug weld from the center of the panel out to each edge, cooling the welds along the way. Kiss the plug welds with your Dynablade or grinder to flatten the plug welds and then seam seal, prime and you have finished the job – see, it wasn’t that difficult! |