Body panel removal---best methods ?

[Fred Y.]

Hello all, today I am starting with some of the body work on my car. Like many C2's of the day, some yahoo added a 3rd taillight in the 70's I'm guessing. I was lucky enough to find a nice original panel, so my question is two part----

1--- I believe I've heard that applying heat can soften up the original bonding epoxy enough to slowly remove these panels. I'm not sure if there is any credence regarding that----If not , what's the best method please ?


2nd, on all the bonding seams where I have removed the paint there is some of the fiberglass mesh/strands etc. coming though. What are the guys using today to best go over that to seal that up & get it ready for primer. I plan to paint this with a lacquer as original.

Thanks a lot guys for your help.

[Fred Y.]

Re: Body panel removal---best methods ?

Any solutions--?

[Tom K.]

Re: Body panel removal---best methods ?

Frank, I removed the tail light panel on my 67 because of bubba repairs in the past. I used a heat gun and a stiff putty knife and a painters tool that had a semi circle in one side to clean paint rollers. It is a slow process but it works. After the old panel was off there was a little grinding to do. Be sure to check the distance from the gas opening to the back of the panel before removal. You will need this distance to get the new one properly curved. I had to cut the top of my replacement panel, recurve it and then reglass the cuts to get the proper curvature. You would be wise to make a template of the rear top edge out of wood before removing the old panel.
Tom

[Fred Y.]

Re: Body panel removal---best methods ?

Thanks a lot Tom. I was hoping that slow heat would do the trick. I already have a modelers heat gun (400 degree max) which I will try to use first, slowly as you mentioned. I was lucky enough to find a man with 2 NOS bonding strips. How did you address that in your repair?
Did you save yours when removing or replace yours. One of mine is cracked unfortunately.

[Brian K.]

Re: Body panel removal---best methods ?

Fred make sure those NOS bonding strips are for 63-66, because all the NOS strips I've seen are 67 type. The 67's have a notch in the center for the back-up light and 63-66 bonding strips don't have the center notch.

[Fred Y.]

Re: Body panel removal---best methods ?

Brian thanks, the bonding strips I picked up are the 2 verticle ones on either side of the tail light panel. The top horizontal one is ok.

Any feedback yet regarding the preferred product used these days for sealing up the exposed mesh areas ? I know that new products are coming around all the time. Hoping to get some feedback as to what you guys like to use prior to priming.
Thanks

[Leif A.]

Re: Body panel removal---best methods ?

Fred make sure those NOS bonding strips are for 63-66, because all the NOS strips I've seen are 67 type. The 67's have a notch in the center for the back-up light and 63-66 bonding strips don't have the center notch.

Brian,
The OP pictured a '67 coupe.