[Mach1Giraffe]

So I have a dilemma. I own a 66 mustang that is in superb condition. I do have a small bubble on both sides about the size of 50 cent piece. One is starting to crack. I know I need to get this fixed so I got two different estimates and I'm shocked and want to know if these prices are normal. The first estimate involves grinding out all rust, then putting some anti-rusting stuff inside then filling with bondo or something like it and sanding down and repainting. Cost is right under $1000. Second option involves grinding out all rust and wielding in a small portion of metal sanding and repainting and cost is nearly $4000.

Is it just me or are these prices off the wall? My car is not rusted out in any way, its show condition, just a small bubble on both rear quarters and one is starting to crack. Input please, don't hold back an any way. If I need educated, please do tell. Thanks!

 

[nigel]

The $1000 price is a little high. You can save yourself some money if you mask off the area and remove the rust yourself. Then have your bodyshop fix your repair.

 

[stangtjk]

Two things I see wrong. 1st the prices are are definitely high for a half dollar size patch if that is all it needs. 2nd any shop that is willing to cut out a rust hole and fill it in with bondo should not even be in business. If there is a hole a new piece has to be welded in. Charging an extra $3k to do the job how its supposed to be done is nuts.

 

[v8only]

I've got the classic rust under the vinyl top problem, and without paint, my quote was only a few hundred dollers, and my roof has a lot of rust bubbles.

Try and find a shop that specializes in mustangs

 

[cindys_sn95]

if there is two rust spots there IS more! check some more shops.

 

[4 stvmcqn]

Stay away from body shop #1...bondo to seal up the rust hole mentioned? This is going to fail.

Unless body shop #2 is planning to use gold or platinum to fill your rust holes, walk away. That quote sounds way too expensive.

Keep shopping around for a reasonably priced shop and don't be surprised if you find rust in other areas.

 

[Mach1Giraffe]

Thanks, I will keep looking. We have a number of body shops in the area, but not a ton that work on older cars. But I will keep looking for sure.

 

[Mach1Giraffe]

Follow-UP

So I went to another guy today and he did a better examination of the car getting under it and opening my trunk to look in the wells and gave me two quotes. First one involves grinding/cutting out rust area, then patching in area with fiberglass then sanding and painting. Cost would be $500 per side or $1000 all together. Option 2 would involve completely new quarter panels on both sides with sanding priming painting, etc. That cost is $1500 per side. Still expensive as hell! Any opinions?

 

[66Sprint200]

Where abouts are the rust spots? If they are in the lower quarter near the wheel well, then you don't need to get all new quarters. They make patch panels.

Here is the patch behind the wheel.
http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=88100+01

Here is the patch in front of the wheel.
Mustangs Unlimited - The Premier Source for Mustang, Shelby and Cougar Parts and Accessories

And here is the patch that goes around the wheel.
Mustangs Unlimited - The Premier Source for Mustang, Shelby and Cougar Parts and Accessories

The prices aren't that much, and you don't have to pay near as much for paint.

 

[66Sprint200]

EDIT: Ooops, my computer is acting screwy and double posted.

 

[stangtjk]

Don't take it to that shop either. You don't patch rust holes with fiberglass and I question any shop that is willing to do so. $1500 is probably reasonable for full quarters and paint but repainting just the quarters is definitely going to be noticeable.

 

[Virtualjunkyard]

Stop driving around to bodyshops. Go to the next car show in your area. Ask owners who did their work. You'll start hearing a couple of names repeated. Go see them.

 

[jimbo68289]

yes that is a great idea . that how i found the machine shop i used 20 years ago :bigthumbsup

 

[Icerat]

Any repair done should involve cutting back until good metal and putting in a patch that is metal and welding it in. The only filler that should be used is a skim coat if the weld is a little imperfect. Any repair of that type should not be that expensive, it should be around $250-$350 for the repairs and then whatever the shop charges for painting which should not be much for a blend in job within a panel. Those rust repairs should not take more than 2 hrs per side for anyone that knows what they are doing especially for as little damage as it sounds like you have. The local show is definitely the best avenue for assistance. Good luck.

 

[jspagna1]

Ya that's ussually the case with these old cars. Most body shops only want to deal with insurance companies and the day to day collision work.
They should definitely cut out the rust and weld in new metal. I have 2 small spots on mine as well. Normal places, lower front coner of drivers door and bottom of rear passenger qtr panel in front of rear tire. Both very small and not noticabe, but I know they are there.
They have been there for the last 12 years and have not gotten any bigger. Body guy says it's because I don't drive the car in the rain.

 

[Mach1Giraffe]

thanks for the help everyone. i knew these body shops were tryin to screw me over.

 

[1972grande]

As stated above, no to bondo and no to fiberglass. Have somebody who can really do metal work to either weld in a piece of metal to fill the rust hole that will be grinded out or get a patch panel. But be warned patch panels are sightly larger than originals. If your Mustang is a true show car that only sees the light of day twice a year you wont want it. If its a car that you drive all the time then sure, it may even be cheaper because it is a little easier to insall. My '72 had rust holes ( yes all the way through, Ive actually had a tire iron fall out of it on the road ) in the lower rear quarters. When I got it painted I had the shop replace the one side with a patch and the other side was small enough they grinded out the rust and filled with metal discs. It came out beautifal, you cant see any seams or discolored paint or texture as you would with bondo or fiberglass. But like I said before, the patch panal is slightly larger so if you look really close and compare sides, you can see that the one patch pushes the rear valence out a little. I got all that done plus a paintjob with side stripe decal install for $1200. I did do all the prep work myself and the paint is about mid grade quality, about as good as a daily driver should be. So keep shopping around, ask for recomendations, and when you think you found someone, make sure that they really love what they do it will really affect the quality.