1960s Repair methods for rusted rocker panels

[Michael Petti]

My 60 CDV has a case of "rot" on the rocker panels, both sides. The body man I had who knew how to fix anything reasonably has retired. Welding in new ones is expensive. I have seen these slip-on panels that go over the old ones. Has anyone used them? If so, were you satisfied. Did they look good. Also, any other ideas on repairing the damage would be welcome. This car is a driver and even though it wins prizes at local car shows, it will never be at Pebble Beach. Thanks in advance.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Having rust that you can see, is going to mean that there will be much more that you cannot see, and therefore simply putting "patches" over the area may not be the best way to go.

Rocker Panels are a needed strengthening area in these cars but with yours having a roof, they still ned to be strong.

When you say both sides, are you referring to the areas that can be seen from the outside, or the whole box section of the Rocker?

What is the floor like, that attaches to the Rockers?

Bruce.

[Michael Petti]

The floors on drivers side have small foberglass patches in them. The rockers seem to only have rust on the lower area. Tops are ok.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Photos?

Bruce.

[Michael Petti]

Attached are pictures. Drivers side is where old rust repair cracked off.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Doesn't look good.

Looks like it has been previously bogged over, so removing the rotten pieces will reveal something that you will not want to see.

The trouble with rust is that once it is visible from the outside, there is much much more that you cannot.

Bruce.

[Michael Petti]

I know what you are saying. I have seen some "slip on" rocker cover repair panels that I am considering? I think there is enough of the panels left to use them. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with them. Where the old body putty cracked off, there is metal.

[Clewisiii]

I dont know what slip on rocker covers are or look like.

Are they metal, plastic

Do you paint them?

Do the go up into the gap under the door, what is the thickness.

Do you glue them on.

Are they flexible to match the shape.

[dogbergs]

Slip on rockers?

Question that I have, do you want to hide the rust from others to see or do you want to at least try saving your car from some of the rust issues it has?

Please dont do the slip ons, whatever it may be. The old Cadillac is worth more respect than that, better leaving it as is.

Thanks / Johan

[Michael Petti]

www.c2cfabrication.com/search?q=Cadillac+DeVille+1960&makemodal=home
C@C Fabrication has them and other parts.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

These are weld-in replacement parts.

Bruce.

[Clewisiii]

I will send some pictures when I get home today. I think I have that exact part from C2C in my shop right now.

[J. Skelly]

Michael,

Since you attend local car shows with it, start asking participants who they recommend to replace the rocker panels.  Or, post a sign on the car or a display board in front of the car.  There have to be some car owners there who have had major metal surgery done on their cars.  It won't be cheap to repair the floors and replace the rockers, but it's the best way to ensure the car's longevity.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Putting a steel rocker panel on a rusty one? The new panel will be rusted rather quickly...

[Clewisiii]

Here is a C2C outer rocker that was listed for 61-64. Until recently they never had a 4 door version.

Well I can tell you this does not fit 61. Either 64 is very different. Or they mistakenly thought 1960 was the same as 61.

[Clewisiii]

Here is me attempting a "quick" repair just cutting and replacing the outer rocker. I bought a 2 door rocker since I only needed a section to cut out my rot. You can see some surface rust on the inner rocker that I cleaned up and sprayed with a rust encapsulator.

[Clewisiii]

A few years later I determined that the very front edge of that rocker needed to be rebuilt. Honestly I probably could have ignored this and enjoyed my car for years. But I decided there was never a better time to work  on it. But I have owned my car for a decade and have never driven it. So are these delays worth it?

[dn010]

Your rocker panels are not terrible but I've seen much worse. My guess is you'll find more internal rot once you go in to investigate. I tried using the 4-door panels for my 57 and I have no idea where they got their stamp dies from but it was no where near a fit for my car. Ended up butchering two just to get something that could work on the car.

As far as repair methods, yes, while they are not meant for it, I have seen a few repairs, especially on cars that have trim that goes over everything to hide it, where new panels were installed over the old ones and weld in. It will take a combination of adjusting the fenders/doors and trying to blend the rest in using putty to make it look like it belongs. Will look good from a distance but someone studying the car up close will take notice. It will last a little while before failing, it is the wrong way to fix this issue and only screws the next guy who buys the car down the line (or yourself if you keep it) who has to revisit the issue and now cut through two rocker panels.

The entire rocker can be cut out and replaced if you have a good replacement. Will last a very long time if you coat the inside of the panel first instead of leaving it bare.

Sections of the rocker panel can be cut out and sections of the replacement can be welded in.

Just the rusty areas only can be cut out and sheet metal cut to size can be used to weld back in. You can't do any extensive internal repairs though.

[Moody]

A good rocker that fits won't be cheap. Those C2C parts are barely recognizable as part of a Cadillac. Their floor pans are also poorly made and take a lot of work to make fit, let alone look right. Their web site even warns you of this.
I decided to make my own when I get to that point.

[Michael Petti]

From reading the responses it appears that the "slip ons" are not a great answer. I was glad to hear that the rockers did not look that bad. When I was young with no money, I got pretty good with Bondo repairing rust on old cars. Where the present layer of Bondo cracks off the rockers, as it has in one place (there is still metal) I'll fix it as needed. As always, I got good information from people who know these cars and what to do.