Replacing the rear quarter panels....
Turbo Mini Forums

Anybody done it or had it done? Expensive?

This is with no paint.

The shell ive got has severly battle scared rear quarters and i was thinking of having them cut out and replaced. Dont want them full of filler you see.
The other option is to get them knocked out. Its not just one big dent, its loads of little knocks so a real PITA.

Just thinking ahead a bit really.

its all spot welded round is it not? if you going to have a bash at it i can lend a spotwelder if you need it

CHeers for the offer mate, not sure whether to have a go myself, doubt it to be honest as i dont want to fcuk it up!

Just curious thats all

i think i would do it as you have a multipoint the shell would not distort so cant see what you would fuck up? i did the 1/4s on my fiesta surersport was a solid weekends work but was not rocket science

Remember that a new rear quarter panel won't be a perfect fit as I guess the rear arches has been cut as it's an ex-miglia.

Ill have a look then mate. Maybe not all that bad.
Panels are between £30 and £50. Have to see whats what!
Shame as this shell has never had any welding but i want it to look right.

Yeah, re-tubbing the arches isnt a problem at all, that wasnt done too well so i want to do them again anyway.

Nik has done this to his current mini - there are pics in the link in his sig...

I'll have a look, cheers for that

Ive had a look at the pics and it doesnt seem to bad a job at all really. I'm going to look into this further.

Not just at the minute though, want a running/driveable mini before i worry about the tarty bits Its not going to make it go any faster with new panels!!

I replaced the bottom half of my driver side in my cars restoration.

Bitch of a job in my opinion - but it is not too hard.

I used a Mig welder and seamed it all the way round as well as doing spot welds by drilling the new panel and puddle welding through - I then ground the welded seams, so it looked as if the replacement had never been done!

The panel I used was a genuine repair panel from Mini Spares - it was a really good fit.

Dan

Just make sure that if you only use the bottom half panel repair to cut the old one out slightly too small round the windows and work from there, you wouldnt want to end up with a 1cm gap

yes there some pics im my signature

my top tip would be measure 3 times and then cut the panel out smaller before trimming the cut out bit by bit until you get the perfect fit.

weld it in bring very careful of the heat distortion and grind the welds down again being careful of the heat.

next you can use minimal filler, and prime it followed by rubbing it down to get rid of your high and low spots

i think sumpnut has done his, there seems to be a theme involve mirage manfifolds and 3/4 panels....