Cab Gurus, need advice

[polevault1977]

Finally found a decent cab, I think. It was already basically stripped. I cut out the old rockers today. I have a few questions about a cab repair process. This is my first go at this deal.

1. Is it best to just paint the inner and outer rocker with a rust encapsulator before you put it back together?

2. I plan on using vintage air or old air unit. Is it best just to go ahead and weld a patch panel over the old heat/AC opening including the fan hole?

3. The back panel has a small crease through a couple of the vertical ribs. This is not a high visible area, but can this be worked out reasonably well?

4, Any other advice while I have the cab at this stage?

I usually don't ask this many questions, but sure would apprecaite any info from you guys that have already be down this road. I'll include a couple of pics.

Thanks in advance, Danny