Rocker Panel - fix dent or replace?

[JAndrea]

Greetings!

I'm restoring my 69 Fish to Driver Quality.... at least initially. I'll be doing as much of the work on my own that I can. As far as body work, I've got the tools to do any panel patching etc...

My question is how to tackle this particular rocker panel... should I replace a section of it with new metal, or try to pull out the dent and fill it?

Here is the project link:
69 Notch Barracuda - Rebirth

 

[downsr]

FIX IT

 

[ScampMike]

I would be cutting that out and welding in a new piece - you may find that will never pull back to a point that will work.
remove between the lines

 

[JAndrea]

FIX IT

Cool. That's what I wanted to hear. I assume, in general, I always want to save as much of the original metal that I can.

 

[JAndrea]

I would be cutting that out and welding in a new piece - you may find that will never pull back to a point that will work.
remove between the lines

View attachment 1715023971

That's definitely the alternate approach I was thinking of... including the places you indicated (thanks for that graphic work!).

 

[ScampMike]

you could try heat and hammers - but if you're not careful you'll end up with a bigger mess than you started with - it's pretty easy to "over correct" such a repair. It's in a tough spot..

 

[whitepunkonnitro]

I can supply you with a clean patch section.
Message me if that ends up being your plan

 

[JAndrea]

you could try heat and hammers - but if you're not careful you'll end up with a bigger mess than you started with - it's pretty easy to "over correct" such a repair. It's in a tough spot..

Agreed... I don't like the precarious location one bit.

 

[Mopar-Man]

We would replace that! Have any floor damage on the other side of it?

 

[RedFish]

What you have is bowed in and up. I think you would get a much better line with the door bottom from new metal.

 

[JAndrea]

We would replace that! Have any floor damage on the other side of it?

Perfect thanks. Floor is in great shape... California car thankfully.

 

[JAndrea]

What you have is bowed in and up. I think you would get a much better line with the door bottom from new metal.

Thanks for the great advice... I was pretty worried about the multiple contours etc. Pretty sure this is the direction I'm going.

 

[gdrill]

I agree with replace. The steel there is very strong due to multiple bends and forms. I tried to pull a damaged rocker once, and after a couple hours of struggling, I cut it out and welded in a new chunk. Should have just done it that way first. Faster and easier. That's not saying it can't be pulled, but without proper equipment, it's more difficult.

 

[pomonamissel]

don't know what kind of body man you are . but i'd cut it out and beat it back to shape and fit it with the door mounted and all lined up . and to make sure it fit with the door gasket . i use a piece of binder paper between the gasket and the rocker to make a nice tight fit . same results in mounting a new china made rocker panel .