1986 - Volume #10, Issue #5, Page #23
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Plastic Body Panels Make Pickup Repair Easy
Peterson got the idea when faced with an expensive repair of his GMC. "I've had them on my pickup for over a year and it looks like new at a cost of just $329, versus $2,000 to $3,000 for a commercial job at a body shop."
Kits to re-do an entire pickup consist of replacement panels for front fenders, door panels, rocker panels,cab corners, and rear quarter panels. There are five separate pieces for each side of the pickup, each of which starts at about the normal body trim line halfway down the side of the pickup. Peterson plans to add a tail-gate replacement panel in the near future.
Panels install with a strong adhesive and are held along the top edge with either the pickup's existing body trim or with a self-adhesive add-on metal strip. They install over even the worst body rust and, once installed, never require maintenance.
Panels come in one color ù white ù which can be left as is or painted by simply scuffing up the surface with steel wool. If painted, the paint virtually etches itself into the plastic, creating a permanent surface that never needs maintenance, according to Peterson.
The ABS plastic panels are 60 mill, or approximately 1/32-in. thick.
Peterson fits 1973-1986 Chevrolet and GMC pickups and vans, as well as Chevy Suburbans and Blazers. He plans to fit Ford and Dodge pickups by the end of the year. A set of panels for both sides sells for $329. A cab set without the rear box panels sells for $230. You can install them youself or have a body shop do it for an average cost of about $150.
"Once you put them on your pickup, rust will never show through again," Peterson points out.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Walt Peterson, Panelcraft, Rt. 5, St. Cloud, Minn. 56301 (ph 612 255-1991).
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