I may not call it restoration but.........

Really wasn't that bad to do the 1/4 panel, but if you are going to tackle a job like that, be patient, make dozens of measurements, cut small sections at a time, I cut the old panel in 8 pieces, but by all means get a good mig welder with gas, works far better than flux core crap. Tig is even better, but I have never used a tig welder, so I went with what I know and have. Weld slowly, by that I mean space the contact points well apart to prevent heat warpage, and take your time. You probably already know all of this anyway, so I'll stop preaching now lol.

I have a very decent mig. Most here would laugh at it, but it does a damn good job to be as small as it is. It's impressed me every time I've used it, even before I put the gas on it. But I'll take any advice I can get.