I chose to weld the quarter panel on the '78 Ford instead of replacing it, and the shop owner called me crazy.

It was a rust repair job in a classic truck. The full replacement panel was $450 plus shipping, and the owner's budget was tight. I spent about 12 hours cutting out the rot, fabricating patches, and welding it all back in. The shop owner said it would never look right and a full panel was the only 'correct' way. But after the filler work and paint, you couldn't tell. Saved the customer over $300 in parts alone. Sometimes the 'by the book' method isn't the only right answer for the person paying the bill. Has anyone else gone against the grain on a repair method and had it work out?

3 comments

3 Comments

andrew64622d ago

Wait, hold on, you did a FULL quarter panel patch for $300 LESS? That's insane! The shop owner must have zero vision. A good metal guy can make a patch look factory. The "by the book" way just pads the bill most of the time. You saved the truck and the customer's wallet, that's the real win.

spencer4122d ago

Zero vision" is a bit much for just doing the job right.

willow24422d ago

Seriously? @andrew646, that's how you get a comeback job in six months.