Stoatmaster

Afternoon all,

Decided to do a bit of work on the car during the long weekend in preparation for a respray I have planned this year. While wrestling with the front calipers (Which are now getting refurbed) I noticed the boot was a little musty, a tell tale sign of the 'water in the boot syndrome'. I had this previously due to a leak from the roof that I had replaced, so the missing sound deadening in the following photos was from a few years back.

So, stripped the boot, removed the excess moisture, and then got a bit pokey with the screw driver;




Daylight! Also followed by;




The rust seems to have appeared at the seams, where the boot floor meet the rear panel. (Top of image, and top right) The rear panel itself looks okay, as rubbing it down reveal bare metal. I'm thinking cut and plate the rear deck (First photo), and cut out the weld along the boot floor and rear panel and plate as required. (Via a body shop)

Question is, how did the water get it? I found some water marks, and traced them back and discovered this;




That's the nearside rear arch looking in from the boot. Disaster! The drivers side is perfect (As is the rest of the car actually), so I am suspecting a repair job in the past to the rear quarter. Question is, what can I do to rectify? To me it looks like a replacement rear quarter is in order, and then a repair to the inner wing as required. I know Honda panels are most likely ridiculously expensive, so is getting a good panel cut out of a donor car feasible?

Quite annoyed, as I thought she only needed a paint refresh! Any thoughts on the best way to approach this?

lovegroova

The panels aren't that crazy expensive - look on Lings (links in the FAQ for each MY) for prices. Si at Hendy should be able to do it cheaper.
Paint and refitting will be significantly more.

Stoatmaster

I'll drop Si a line, list price on Lings is £650+ so I hope it is a tad cheaper! I may investigate a donor panel if not, I think a few people have had success doing that.

AC50

Mine is in for both rear quarters...Honda parts aren't too bad...recovered panels aren't always best (previous damage)...all depends if it's a keeper...good luck...

Nottm_S2

Daytona did his car with a used panel.. thread here somewhere

AC50

I know, I've seen his thread..he did a good job :-)

E4RTH WORM JIM

Take it to a good body shop and ask them for their opinion. PITA but nothing that can't be fixed!