Busted rocker panel fix?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Busted rocker panel fix?
I managed to crack the underside of one of my rocker panels on my '04Z. Don't ask how! 
Anyway, I'd like to sand the crack flat and then use some green poly filler to smooth everything and repaint the area. Will the filler hold or fall out? Will the crack get worse on it's own if I don't do something? It's near the very rear of the passenger side panel. It's not visible unless you crawl underneath the car.
Advice from you bodywork guys is appreciated. I'm not sure how SMC is supposed to be patched. Thanks!
Anyway, I'd like to sand the crack flat and then use some green poly filler to smooth everything and repaint the area. Will the filler hold or fall out? Will the crack get worse on it's own if I don't do something? It's near the very rear of the passenger side panel. It's not visible unless you crawl underneath the car.
Advice from you bodywork guys is appreciated. I'm not sure how SMC is supposed to be patched. Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you have a crack, you can stop drill it by drilling a very small hole at the very end of each end of the crack. That will prevent the crack from getting longer over time. LORD FUSOR has some excellent products for SMC repair.
I have some minor body work to do on my C5 and C6 and will be using their products. They have an on line help desk that you can use to help get the correct products that you need.
BC
I have some minor body work to do on my C5 and C6 and will be using their products. They have an on line help desk that you can use to help get the correct products that you need.
BC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
It's my understanding that the rocker panels (unlike the other panels on the car) are not SMC, but much closer to traditional fiberglass. So whatever works to repair that should would for the rockers.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Thanks for the replies, guys. I just returned from a really nice 1000 mile road trip in the Z. What a great car!
Anyhow, I'll look up the products mentioned and check on the construction of the rocker panel. If it's closer to traditional 'glass, then perhaps my neighbor can help with a patch. He has a '62 Devin that he's getting ready to put on eBay (with a Corvair turbo and full tube frame!), and he's currently making some minor patches to the bodywork. I just wasn't sure about how to patch the rocker. The crack is only about 3 inches long, but I'd like to arrest any further progress and clean it up underneath.
Anyhow, I'll look up the products mentioned and check on the construction of the rocker panel. If it's closer to traditional 'glass, then perhaps my neighbor can help with a patch. He has a '62 Devin that he's getting ready to put on eBay (with a Corvair turbo and full tube frame!), and he's currently making some minor patches to the bodywork. I just wasn't sure about how to patch the rocker. The crack is only about 3 inches long, but I'd like to arrest any further progress and clean it up underneath.
