The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors Patch Panels or Not?

The doors on my 41 chevy 1/2 Ton are full of "mud" and still not smooth. Would anyone advise patch panels? The ones where you cut at the belt. I'm just not sure this is the direction to take. The truck is over 60 and has been a work truck for most of that time. I'd like to hear what you all have done or would do.

Did you put the mud in? If not I would blast or grind it out and see what you really have under there. Sometimes it's amazing what you find,a little patching and pounding may end up with far less mud tha some other "bodyman" thought necessary!

No, they were like this when I bought it. Thanks for the advice. Before I order 2 patch panels, I would be wise to at least get down inside and see what's really there. Thanks, I guess I didn't look at it like that before. It's not like I'm going to hurt anything. Might even save some $$$.

I also would clean up and see what lies beneath prior to doing full panels. Jim Carters sell patch panels that go up to the beltline. I redid the bottom of the doors on my truck but they weren't too bad. I measured and drew a straight line here and then cut with a cutoff wheel and nibbler. This is what it looked like after flanging the door and prior a quick sandblast. Here is after a prep called "Right Stuff" and this is what it looked like after it dried. I bent up a piece of sheet metal and flat folded the bottoms and ends . Holes were punched here and then welded in this shot. Here is a shot after the bondo. You should hang door before primer to check fit. I don't have any shots of the door in primer but this is a shot after paint. Maybe one of these shots will help you decide which route is best for you. Have fun and good luck.
Dan