[DeTomaso] Cracking

[Will Kooiman]

I don't know who makes the square tubing type.  I bought mine from Dennis Quella, but he probably bought it from one of the other vendors.

On Jun 25, 2012, at 12:45 PM, cengles at cox.net wrote:

> 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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