Thanks for the tips guys. I have been watching shows for years and they make it look so easy. I know how difficult it can be. I realize the body work is a lot of work and that's why I'm thinking replacing full panels may be more cost/time effective than spending hours and hours trying to get it perfect. I figure I can practice welding in the areas that won't show like the floor pans. I really don't think I would be able to weld a patch panel in without it looking fugly, but I won't know until I try. I do use my hands a lot in my daily job.

The guy I borrowed the trailer from to bring the car home today does custom painting and some body work but I don't know how much.

The car is gutted and I vacuumed it out tonight. Tomorrow I will clean it up and hose it off before bringing it into the garage for storage.

One of my former employees brother has a towing and body shop business where we used to live - too bad I'm not closer!