Hey everyone, it looks as though I will be getting my car painted in the next month. I had some idiot do a hit and run on the rear pass. quarter panel behind the wheel all the way to the corner and I need to get it repaired. I'm going to go ahead and have the whole thing painted and would like to know what is involved in removing the crappy trim from the sides of the car and wheel openings. I would like to have that area painted and no chrome trim other than what is necessary. Are there holes to be filled and if so, how should they be filled? I'm not going for a high-dollar paint job, but want it to look nice enough. Any info would be great!

Also, planning on painting it a Chrysler red that I saw on a new Crossfire today. I need to find the paint name and code, but it is close to what I had before, very nice sort of cinnamon color. Hopefully everything works out.

Thanks!
Kris Horton
www.carsbykris.com

Sounds like a nice color. I am glad my Elky never had that trim.

If the wheel trim is like the stuff that was on mine there are screws on the inside of the wheel well holding it on. I did not have them filled before painting since they were in the well. Not sure on the side molding. If it's after market stuff then it's riveted. You will have to drill out the rivets then you will have 1/8 inch holes. I had the body shop fill mine. I think they used a welder since they had to do others at the same time and then used bondo for the touch up.

On the paint I got the color name from the Chrysler site:

Blaze Red Crystal Pearl

Couldn't find the paint code.

PPG code 5930

http://autocolorlibrary.com/cgi-bin/search/searchpic.pl?2004-chrysler-pg02.jpg

I am getting my Elky painted and fixed because I have the same damage you do in the same place plus my passenger door! :evil: I am also getting rid of my stupid chrome and they have studs made (riveted) in the side of the body with plastic clips that the rails slide on. I have been told that they will get grinded off :cry: and then bondoed for smoothness. I have faith and I know it will look good when your done!

84,
Those "rivets" everyone are referring to are actually threaded studs, not welded , perhalps RUSTED, but not welded. Unfortunately, just grinding them down won't do. Since they are not actually bonded to the sheeet metal, when they are grinded smooth, they will in fact just end up falling through the holes in the fender. SO, if you do the proper prep and take some patience and a good set of channel locks you can back them out counterclockwise, then either mig the holes, or use Metal-to Metal Filler to glaze fill them. Take that down and then skim glaze with finishing putty or filller. Either way, it's worth the extra effort!
Good Luck, and post some pics of the progress, and I hope this helps. :cool: