[DeTomaso] Cracking

[cengles at cox.net]

Dear Dennis,


              IIRC, in the POCA newsletter or the old paper version of 
PI, there was an article written by Dennis Quella were he covered the 
paint cracking problem around the taillights and around the B pillar. 
>From what I remember, the solution was to weld reinforcing sheet metal 
over the chronically weak areas, then grind it down and blend it in 
followed by paint.   I do not know that his recommendations are commonly 
followed outside the PPC body shop.   I do know that his comments were 
the only time I can remember that anyone directly addressed the issue.

             The stock crossover brace should be changed out, IMHO, for 
the beefier steel square tubed one.   It may retard the rate of crack 
progression.


             Pantera Performance Center  303-660-9897.


                      Warmest regards, Chuck Engles




On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 11:06 AM, Dennis Sanford wrote:

> I really don't think it's the paint.  The cracks that have occurred 
> are in
> the usual places for Panteras.  Do you have a picture of what pieces 
> of
> metal were welded into the tail light area?  I still have the stock
> crossover brace, do you think that changing to an aftermarket one will 
> be
> enough the alleviate this problem?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Will Kooiman [mailto:will.kooiman at gmail.com] Sent: Monday, June 
> 25, 2012 10:51 AM
> To: Dennis Sanford
> Cc: cengles at cox.net; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Cracking
>
> If cracks are popping up several places, it might be an issue with the 
> paint
> job.
>
> I am not a painter, but I would think the paint needs to flex some. 
> Maybe
> there was too much hardener in the paint.  Or is that no longer an 
> issue
> with base coat / clear coat?
>
> I have seen pieces of metal that gets welded into the tail light area.
> Actually, I have just seen the pics.  I would think it wouldn't be a
> problem, though, if there are proper braces - i.e. NOT the stock 
> brace.
>
> On Jun 25, 2012, at 8:33 AM, Dennis Sanford wrote:
>
>> Hi Chuck,
>>
>> Thanks for the fast response.  Unfortunately, the full paint job was 
>> just
> done about a year and half ago and we have been fighting with various 
> small
> cracks that are popping up here and there.  I was actually looking to 
> find
> out what kind of body work bracing or reinforcing I can have my body 
> shop do
> so it won't come up again.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cengles at cox.net [mailto:cengles at cox.net]
>> Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 8:48 AM
>> To: dennis617 at aol.com; detomaso at realbig.com
>> Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] Cracking
>>
>> Dear Dennis,
>>
>>
>>               Tongue in cheek.....
>>
>> 1) don't drive it
>> 2) preventitive body work
>> 3) possibly extensive bracing
>>
>>
>>               Once afflicted.......
>>
>> 1) body work and bracing
>>
>>
>>               It is a pretty normal affliction of Panteras made worse 
>> by
> time, mileage and large sticky rear tires with brisk handling.
>> Pragmatically, most people live with it until time for a full paint 
>> job,
> then the area can be reinforced and repainted.
>>
>>
>>                             Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 6:58 AM, Dennis Sanford wrote:
>>
>>> Does anyone know how to prevent body cracks from happening around 
>>> the lower outside corners of the rear taillights?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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