rust repair panels

[Goostoff]

I now have a 2000 and 2001 Bonneville SSEi's both of them black both of them have the rusty gas filler area, and rusty rocker panels. Does anyone make replacements for this stuff ir am I on my own?

[nos4blood70]

Harofreak00 might have a clean panel. I also recall someone ordering a front fender and cutting it up to make it into that area. I may be wrong there though.. Haha. No one really makes a replacement, and junkyards aren't necessarily reliable either. The rust starts from the inside out, so a panel may look clean but in actuality the rust has already started where you can't see it.

[Goostoff]

I will have a spare hood. Guess its time to make my own. I cant beleive the limited support for rust repair on these cars.

[00V8]

I will have a spare hood. Guess its time to make my own. I cant beleive the limited support for rust repair on these cars.

The hood is aluminum I believe so you wont have much luck there!

[ddalder]

...I cant beleive the limited support for rust repair on these cars.

There is limited support for rust repairs on virtually ever car. No body shop (collision repair facility) I've ever dealt with likes getting involved with this unless they can simply change out panels. In more general terms, body support is quite limited because this vintage of Bonneville was simply not very popular compared to many other cars. There's not much in the way of aftermarket parts for this very reason. When they were available, GM sold only the entire side of the car. This supply dried up a very long time ago... I checked because I wanted one for reasons other than the fuel door problem.

[Goostoff]

I have came up with a plan now. The second one was biught as a parts car for the first. I have decided to cut a section out of the passenger side and flip it over to patch the driver side on the good car. Just need to figure out how to roll the edge on the opening for the fuel door. It probably wont come out perfect but will look better than a rust hole. I'm thinking maybe some 3/16 rod bent in a circle and just weld it on and grind smooth.

[JaxxMan]

Let me know if that sectioned reversal of the quarter panel works out.

My recently acquired 04 GXP has finger size holes below the gas cap door.
Have a welder & very handy with bodywork.
I will take lots of precautions (gas tank & fumes etc.)

[96 SSEi]

i WOULDN'T worry about the bottom edge of door cause it can only be seen when the door is open

[JaxxMan]

Sorry I waited so long to post but I wanted share my quick fender repair.
I am not a pro by any means but I hope this helps others if they are handy.

Used 3/16' dia rod bent to match the passenger side.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q8CJ9I ... sp=sharing
Welded in some pieces I cut with my plasma cutter.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ERxVO ... sp=sharing
Some Body filler & primer.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lt90q8 ... sp=sharing
A bit of paint to get it back on the road.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nhGaXz ... sp=sharing
I never got around to putting clear coat back on yet.

[Goostoff]

certainly looks better than a huge gaping hole

[57j2olds]

Nice Job!

[redfury]

Bravo. I would probably fiberglass it if I were to have to deal with it since that's what I have available and know how to work with. We have a Ford Explorer sport trac with rusted rockers, and without a welder, plus the absolute lack of supporting panels in the aftermarket except a couple of crappy rocker covers....I'd have to rebuild the rockers as well....not going to try to fix that with fiberglass, though I wish I could.

[Jason H.]

Fantastic job JaxxMan!