How To Install GTS Quarter Panels - Wider Is Better

After giving the old quarter-panel a few authoritative whacks with a hammer along the bonding lines to weaken them, Thurmond used a hammer, chisel, and old screwdrivers to break the bond between the original panel and the rest of the body.

Thurmond used the old panel to rough out the cuts on the new one. Surgical precision isn't required at this step since there will be more fitting and trimming when the panel is mated to the car. Remember, it's always best to be conservative with your cuts.

The surfaces where the bonding solution will be applied to the new quarter-panel were worked over with a 40-grit wheel to give the adhesive some bite. The bonding strips on the car were given similar treatment.

Thurmond and Holloway dry-fit the panel to the car several times, making note of areas that required additional trimming or grinding.

Once the fit was perfect, the panel was attached using several wood screws. It was important at this stage to drill and install only one screw at a time while finalizing the fit of the panel. These screws were used to hold the panel in place while the adhesive set up.

The new panel was ready to be bonded to the car. GTS used Mar-Glass, an auto body filler and adhesive, which was applied to the bonding strips after it was mixed with hardener.