Well, I have finally set aside time each week to work on the old 122. I started grinding at a couple of rust spots last night and — this may not be surprising — I found more trouble than I wanted. To be sure, my car is just a driver, not a show car, but I want it to be a nice one.

The rust bubbles on the rear wheel arch turned out to be actually rusted out holes in the outer panel. Tapping the inner panel, I found just one weak spot. I probed all around in between the panels and blew out all the rust crud. So I cut out the rusted area. Now, should I brush all around in there with POR15 before I weld a patch on top or is there a better way? Also, my holes are small so should I use patches I cut some sheet metal or replace the whole area with Volvo repair panels I can buy from VP?

The driver's door bottom was such a mess (can you imagine 1/2 inch of Bondo?) that I am faced with using a donor door.

I haven't started grinding out the rust bubbles on the rocker panels but I am now assuming the worst. Have you used repair panels successfully for the rockers?

As a novice mechanic/body man, I appreciate your help and experience.