Hi, hoping someone can give me an idea of how much time I should expect to put into replacing a quareter panel on my 70 camaro. I will be doing a full replace, not a skin. Also - any idea how much (ballpark) most shops charge for this?

I can weld and have helped a little with the replacement on a 65 Mustang, but the quarter on that car only went to the roof pillar - on the camaro the quarter goes all the way up to the roof.

Thanks for any help!

 

I work at a restoration shop, we charge $50 an hour. As far as how much time should it take. That depends on how much you want done and what shape the surrounding metal is in. Most times when the quarter is shot, the outer wheelhouse is also bad. Same goes for the rear portion of the rocker panel and the trunk floor extension, sometimes cancer attacks there. A simple quarter replacement, about 6-7 hours. Wheelhouse, add another 2 hours. Rocker repair and trunk extension 3 more hours. When that is done the upper seam still needs to be leaded or filled and the seams sealed, which you may chose to do yourself. Remember, these are ballpark figures and all depend on the condition of your car.

 

$50 an hour... Your cheap!
You have to ask how much it will be to a shop in your area. Labor rates will vary a whole lot.
As for time wise. If you are doing it yourself and have not really done many before and you dont have proper tools it will take you the whole weekend just to get it on. Maybe another half day to finish welding. And if you have a used quater that was cut off with a torch at wrecker. You need to trim that up and that is like doing two quater jobs. I have done autobody and paint for over 20 years.