Auto body repair & detailing: rocker panels on a 88 firebird, pontiac firebird, rust paint

Question
QUESTION: hi i have a 1988 pontiac firebird and i was wondering if you can replace the rocker panels by putting the new ones directly over the old ones or if you have to cut the old ones out, I,ve been told by one bodyman that you can do this and one that you cant do it cause the door will not shut. could you please give me some advice thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Bill, Bodyman # 2 is right about the door not fitting . You must cut the old one out and replace with the new one . Hope this helps you out,All the best >>>>>Kim

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QUESTION: the rocker panel question helped me alot thanks. i have another question, would it be a good idea to coat my floor pans, and wheel wells with a truck bed liner such as herculiner on my 88 firebird. thanks

ANSWER: Hi Bill, You can use box liner on the floor pans and wheel wells etc. Be sure to insert all the floor bolts and mask the heads to allow easy replacement....You may find it more cost effective to use a rust paint ( tremclad)etc rather than the box liner. A gravelguard for the wheel wells will also work fine. All the best to you.....Kim

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QUESTION: on my 88 firebird i have a few holes in the wheel wells  would it be best to patched them by welding a piece of metal over the holes, or useing something like duraglass to patch them. thanks. sorry for all the questions, just trying to do this the right way

Answer
Hi Bill, The right way to do the repair is to fab out a repair patch from 20 guage satin coat metal, be sure to cut out the rusted metal and then use a weld through primer prior to welding in the repair patch. Finish the weld with 80grit grinding disc or finer- prime  and paint (refinish). If you really want to get fussy- Duraglass can be used over the ground down weld area and smoothed-primed and painted for a unseen repaired area.Grinding down the weld and then running a bead of seam sealer smoothed with a putty knife and topcoated with gravelguard also leaves a great looking repair job,,,,Hope this somewhat helps you out and feel free to ask any other questions that you may have.   All the best to you...Kim