Any ideas? Siding - chrome/aluminum/ss - NOT ROCKER PATCH PANELS - siding panels

[SlowYourRoll]

Hey everyone.

I need some ideas. I am a long way from paint and body work. My newest project was delivered to me with cr*p doors and rocker panels. A PO installed cosmetic covers over the rockers and doors. In transit across the country, one of these glued on panels must have blown off. Now my truck is sitting with a bondo colored lower door panel on the driver's side and I'm wondering if anyone knows of these and where to buy them, precut for our trucks? Does it look out of place just on the door/rocker? Should I just buy a generic kit for <$200 and cut them to fit and run them all the way down the sides? I live in San Diego, so eventually, this thing is going down to tijuana for a complete paint job (same color to match excellent interior), but that is probably a year or two down the road still.

I hate the gross bondo color, it stands out really bad. I feel like a piece of stick on chrome from ebay, or some aluminum panels will at least make it presentable parked on my street. My truck's body is far from perfect, but with new bumpers on the way, all the lenses, a new grill, etc, I can live with the small rust spots for now. I can't have the door in this condition though!

I only have one pic showing the bondo colored glue holding these things on where it's missing and my truck is currently in the shop for a blazer tank relocation (YAY!).


Any ideas are much appreciated. Links for recommended products are more appreciated! Thank you all for your help and great info on this forum!









Finally, I expect some flaming - but, they were already on there, and I will have to save up for a while to get the right paint job, so I think something like these will have to suffice for now. I'm looking for help in covering the bondo without paint with a method that at least looks OK. I am not seeking opinions on if I should do it or not.

[69GWC]

Well I would it all off and get some sand paper and primer and go that route myself, maybe even paint the bottom blue even if it did not match.
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[Robznob11]

I would sand it down and prime it as well. if you can muster the body work im sure you could find a body shop that would paint from the body line down around the whole truck for about 200$ you could go white or gray, silver in a single stage. if you had air supply you could do it in your front yard for less than 100. for that matter if you sand and prime the bad spot you could hit the bottom of the truck all the way around with scotch brite pad and paint it with spray can auto touch up paint. it will last and look professional. I once had a patch of paint come off the top of a 99 grand am about the size of my hand. I sanded and feathered the edges, taped it off hit it with auto touch up paint and then after it dried well I wet sanded and buffed it. the person I sold it to had to have it pointed out to even find the patch. those paints are a lot better than people think and a tape line down the body line is simple.

[SlowYourRoll]

Thanks guys! I sanded and rattle canned it with a blue that doesn't match, but you can't notice from 10 feet, it's fairly close. It will do for now.

I'm still interested in rocker panels if anyone knows of anything though.

Oh, and I live in San Diego, can you please describe to me what a "front yard" is?

[Seabee6768]

Hello, new to this forum and need some info.
Trying to get around the site.
My questions are this
On, I'm in the process of purchasing a 1972 GMC Stepside with a running 396, with turbo 400 Tranny. It has PS and PB. It is pretty clean. The truck originally had a Six banger but was replaced with 396. Has leaf springs as well has been lowered and floor has diamond plated bed.Interior is fairly clean with new reupholstered bench seat.
I have been sent many pictures regarding some small rust bubbles by bottom door panels and small amount of rust by the rocker panel where the chrome step plate to carpet is located. The paint looks original GMC orange and has 2 3 small faded spots on the hood and fender. The truck was a Phoenix and now a cal truck.

With that I have to travel about 300 miles to go and look at it. I'm looking at $5,000.00 for the truck. Are these trucks worth the purchase, and how bad are small bubble through the paint>
I take care of my own vehicles and old time mechanic, but not body work.

Some help here please.

Seabee