1G Side Body Molding

[wafflez66]

I have a 1Ga, and I'm looking to get rid of the side body molding. I want to know what you guys/gals who have done it used and how well its held up. I'm thinking of using a fiberglass filler, allmetal filler, or welding sheetmetal over the gap. I don't know. which do you think would be best for a beginner in autobody/welding? OR/AND what has already been done and proven way.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[HighPsi92GST]

the car we did, we welded strips of metal over the gap then grinded/sanded it down smooth, then used filler where needed. i wouldnt try to fill that entire gap with filler, thats a pretty big area.

 

[wafflez66]

That's what i thought at first, but then, i was reading into it, and the fiberglass and allmetal filler have no thickness limits, so it could stay. I want to weld strips of metal but i think it would warp the panel alot if i had to weld the whole thing. i don't know. Thanks for the input

Jon

 

[IceDragon]

My buddys neon had that done, but he chose to fill it with bondo just because if anyone dinged his door it was cheap and easy to fix.

 

[HighPsi92GST]

you can weld on the metal of a car without warping it. thats how shaved door handles are done usually...or at least the correct way of doing them.

as far as using bondo, i guess it would be cheaper then finding someone to weld it for you...but not sure how its cheaper in the case that the door is dinged. plus theres the chance of it cracking/falling out and ruining the paint along its way

 

[4Restore]

I used Evercoat Kittyhair. Plastic fillers will shrink some so it may not always be best to go too thick. I filled in about 80% leaving just enough to match up with the flat that runs around the wheel well lip. It's been over a year now with no problems. I did have to grind a little off the inside of the front fender to clear when opening the door. You can see what I did in the gallery.