Here is a picture of the outer rocker sheet metal on my car



Would you cut it our, reform it and then put it back...
Or would you buy a repop piece for $90 and weld it in.

 

depends on you expirience and money to you have to spend. If your on a tight budget (like me) I would go ahead and try and do a fixe on it. It is a fairly simple piece of metal. Get some scrap metal. put it up to the original panel you are repairing. bend it to similiar shape. Then cut it to fit. If you have the money and less expirience. Get the replacement

 

No doubt, replace it. This is a major part of the unibody and needs to be solid and straight.

 

Ifthis will work, get a reproduction, trim, weld it over the existing one and fill the gaps with Bondo or one of the door sill scuff plate add-ons. You keep the structural strength and get the 'virgin' look.
Jim

 

I was of the understanding that the inner rocker was the structural part, and what is all bent up is the outer rocker skin. is this not true?

 

I took a quick look at the Weld and Sealant Manual and it looks to be a structural member not a trim piece, at least it's got a lot of welds.
Jim

 

very well then...replace it is.....sigh...

 

If it is covered by a rocker panel moulding, why not just fill the holes, repaint and install the mouldings again? I am assuming that it is only flaking paint at the pinch weld towards the left of the picture. Am I missing something?

 

It looks like it was involved in using a curb to slow down, the long score.
Jim

 

It is hard to say what I actuallywould do, because sometimes I change my mind once I get started with a repair, but considering all of the widespread damage, and the problems with the bottom seam, I think I would replace it. It would just be too hard to get that thing straight without taking the panel loose on the bottom, and at that point, a person would want to continue along and just replace it anyway...

I might not replace the whole part, but most of it for sure.