Guys my 1972 buick gs skylark convertible has the rear sail panel to quarter seems filled in instead of a caulk line like my chevelle convertible. I have heard that convertibles where done this way depending on the plant it was built . My question is how should this seem be filled or caulked? o No: It seems to me that the caulk would be better due to expansion and flex issues.
My 72 GS (Flint) was leaded in. I had mine removed and redone with lead again. I'll let you know how it turns out. It had some very slight cracks in the original paint up there (although last 16 years were parked) so I'm hoping it lasts. I also used a bolt in mount in the #4 position to eliminate some flex (IE the only rubber biscuits I have now are over the axle). Hopefully that will help as well. I agree wth you the caulking or seam filler might be better due to the flex, but the paint is still going to be hard so even if the sealer flexes will the paint handle it or will it crack anyway?? Oh yeah, and don't drive diagonally across speed bumps!! :laugh: later Tim
Are you sure you are talking about the sail panel and not the deck filler panel? A sail panel is part of the quarter and therefore shouldn't have a seam. Since you have a convertalbe, you shouldn't have a sail panel. If you actually mean the deck filler/quarter seam, it should have seam sealer neatly applied with the seam slightly visible. Body filler in seams is bound to crack eventually. Hope that helps you out. The lead Tim mentioned was applied at the sail to roof seam back in the day. Replacing the lead with modern day fillers is acceptable if removed for roof or quarter for replacement.
He meant the deck filler panel to quarter...its kinda like back fenders and other things like that. Correct terminology aside, all the Buick ragtops I have seen have a smooth leaded area there (deck filler to quarter), no seam visible at all from factory. We used lead wherever the factory used lead, which included that seam. later Tim
Ok Tim. Thanks for the info. (yeah, left rear fender sounds kinda funny.) Body men should always try to duplicate factory methods as close as possible. Extremely important for insurance work on late model cars or you'll have to re-do it for free. Not too familliar with the old Buicks yet (Ford guy myself and My 88 Mustang convertible doesn't have those seams exposed.) But I'm certainly taking a liking to this site. Could rub off on me. I'll work on anything though. It's all the same as far as body/paint. (Well, the Euro cars are more of a pain to figure out. Makes ya wonder what's really in that German beer.)
I have seen some of the convertibles that have a green colored material that was used to fill the seam. It appears to get really hard and prone to cracking.
Guys you are right I meant the deck filler/quarter seam not sail panel. New what i wanted to say typed the worng thing for some reason ou: . Thanks for your replies looks like it is supposed to be that way.
No worries about terminology. Iv'e even heard it refered to as a sill panel (as in window sill) Can understand that. I have just never seen (and not saying I know all) lead filler in a seam like that. Then again never worked on a convertible like yours.
