1968-69 Oldsmobile Cutlass / 442 (Gm A Body ) Fender Repair | Fabricating & Installing Patch Panels

#rust #restoration #welding
We are saving the original fenders on this 1969 W-31 to preserve what is still original to this car. In this video we repair the rotted areas with flat steel we shape and store bought patch panels. All of which is done by basic tools in your home garage or simply my hands.
If you have one of these cars with documentation feel free to reach out to us! We love a good story or, we would love to assist in building the history of your car into a timeline type story!
If you would like to support us in saving the classic muscle cars make sure to check out our shirts and hats for sale at Theautorefinery.com.
Find us on:
Facebook: / theautorefinery
Instagram: @theautorefinery
Email US: [e-mail]

[@KeithCalitri]

I hate to say you make it look easy cause I know how much work and time it takes never mind the patience. Steve they look great and you’re work is A+ can’t wait to see what you do with the bottom fronts next. You are the man my TH-cam buddy!!!!!!!

[@theautorefinery]

Hello Keith. Man, I'm so humbled to learn that folks appreciate our efforts here. I'm liking your grading scale.!!!
I'll be the first to admit, these types of repairs often look better in pictures and videos, and these are no different but they'll certainly serve well for the theme of this build.
Thank you as always for watching.
-steve

[@gunjiweber42]

This video was excellent. I need to do the same work on the same color fenders. Thank you for inspiring me.

[@theautorefinery]

Wow, we Thank You for that compliment. Honestly, sometimes turning the work into an actual video is by far the hardest part. Joe certainly puts the time in. I'm so glad that this may be of some value to you moving forward on your project. We appreciate this feedback.
-steve

[@gunjiweber42]

That was a great video, I'm in need of doing the same exact repair to the same color fenders

[@theautorefinery]

I hope we provided some tips to help you save your fenders.
I'm sorry for the delayed reply. I thought I was all caught up.
-steve

[@roberthollinshead2325]

The copo camaros had 427 written upside down in the fenders-so they knew not to drill the fenders for engine badges. Interesting stuff!

[@theautorefinery]

Yeah see, I love this type of information. I try to learn something new everyday in this game, and today it's this. Thank You. Do you have first hand experience with COPO cars? I would love to learn more. Thanks for sharing.
-steve

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍. X-Mas in June ! Oh goody rust repair 🤮🤮 ! But your correct inner supports are not out there ! Nice job Steve !

[@theautorefinery]

Mr B. Yes yes , crazy amount of work, too bad these parts aren't made. I'd hate to buy new fenders to just cut them apart. Thanks for watching!
-steve

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! My hat is of to you ! That was a lot of work , but you have shown what real craftsmanship witch has been lost . Many jobs ! 👀😎👍

[@ryanweaver5867]

Those inner fender braces are missed on some clones.
Mine had one original, one replaced at some point with the non W31

[@theautorefinery]

Mr.Weaver. !!!!
We appreciate you taking the time to watch this one. You are so right. This a component of the "w' cars that used to be often overlooked. In any case, now that the lower sections are done, time for me to get crackin' on the front sections. We really appreciate that you're sticking around for this project.
'Til next time.....
-steve

[@ryanweaver5867]

@@theautorefinery I eagerly await each episode!!! I wish I had TH-camd my restoration/preservation

[@ronengel5736]

I would never laugh at you ! certainly laugh with you though, really nice work.....

[@theautorefinery]

I appreciate your compliment and encouragement. Thanks for spending the time to commiserate .
I'm pretty happy with the outcome here.
more to come.
-steve

[@jeffroking4832]

excellent work. I see they do have aftermarket fenders for the 70-72 ish years however I personally have not looked at one within my hands,, I wonder what the bracing is like on those and if its new where did they get them and who stamped those out... and if there is bracing then someone is doing them and why are they not out there for the general public to purchase. That would make things alot smoother for everyone.

[@theautorefinery]

Hello Jeff. Yes they do offer new aftermarket front fenders for 68-69 They're not cheap and I'd really hate to cut them apart for this ! hahaha. Believe me, we've discussed making more of these.
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch.
Stay Tuned,
-steve

[@terryboone6746]

Excellent work! I always enjoy your videos. I'm thinking that it would be really awesome if I could go to your website and order a set of these... just sayin'. Nearly 1500 subscribers and I'd bet half of us need fender supports.

[@theautorefinery]

Well now..... truth be told, Big J and I have chatted about this very same thing. Thank you very much for taking the time to watch and we appreciate that compliment.
-steve

[@davidbrown-55]

Great work. Contour gage for the sides before you cut it to get the shape?

[@theautorefinery]

YES!!!! That would certainly help. But who doesn't love an unnecessarily difficult challenge?????
I'm now in the market for a proper one.
Thanks for paying such close attention and playing along.
-steve

[@mrgreezy1]

I’ve never understood why anyone would not use the entire replacement panel, you’ve paid for it, it’s brand new metal, it hasn’t ever been compromised by heat or previous body work etc.. what ever “good metal” is left, it clearly won’t be as strong and as quality as brand new metal, there’s nothing that makes sense to me about that. If you’re such an unnecessary purist in regards to patches re pop panels etc.. finding original panels with zero damage would be the only option… someone please make it make sense..🤣💯 love the content very cool stuff.

[@theautorefinery]

Good morning and we really appreciate you taking the time to watch and pay such close attention. Very cool.! I have always considered aftermarket replacement "patch" panels to be donor sections that are to be cut and sectioned as needed to provide the exact part one needs. When buying front fender patches, there's often a choice of brands that are different sizes, making the actual cut line completely arbitrary. With regards to rear quarter panels, in this case we opted to use only what we needed so as to keep any evidence of repair from the inside all but invisible. Remember that in keeping with the theme of this build, we have set out to save as much of the original shell and its' current finish as possible. That decision in itself is what steers the ship the entire way. Lastly I would be remiss if I failed to mention that any and all replacement parts other than NOS ( our budget does not allow for nos ) are imported aftermarket that are often times not very exact or accurate duplicates of the original parts.
We Thank You again for watching and are so glad that you enjoy what we post.
Stay Tuned,
-steve