Automotive Talk 2 Way

In most salvage cases (normally not flooding)there will be some panels that need changed, the cost and complexity of changing these panels is normally what dictates whether the car is repairable or not. There are different ways of buying these panes, you can try and buy them second hand through a car parts location service like CarSpareFinder, or through your local breaker’s yards, you can buy them new from an auto shop (these parts tend to by copies made abroad) or you can go to the main dealer and the buy the same quality of panel that was put on the car at new.

The decision of which route to take is normally related to the value of the car when finished, it is unlikely you will put used old cheap parts say on a new BMW, but with a cheaper or older car, you may go down the used or cheaper copy route. The next question is whether that panel bolts on or needs welding? The answer of this question normally dictates whether you do it yourself or pay and experience welder to do it for it, unless you are trained at welding of course.

You then decide on how big and where the panel is. Below is a video of a garage replacing a quarter panel, which normally needs cutting out wand welding in. This is one of the most expensive panels to replace on a salvage car and the cost and hassle to this repair should be considered carefully before buying any salvage project.

The paint is the next consideration, but that is for another 2 way automotive post.