Shrinkage. (no pool content), actually...panel shrinkage--gap issues Options

[TargaToy]

Rick's recent posts where he expertly repaired a previously filled dent in his green car's fender prompted me to post this question. I'm working on the same part of my car but didn't want to hijack his post.


Speaking of beating down the hight spots, this is what was under the filler:



I cut out the whole bad section and reworked the same section I had in a salvaged fender.





As you can see, I cut out the old section right along the top edge of the quarter panel. The cut line was only about 3/16" from the channel for the trunk weather-stripping.





In retrospect, I may have made a booboo here. I thought I took my sweet time welding in this panel but now that everything's said and done (and cooled off), the shrinkage in the panel has pulled the trunk lid gap a bit.







Rick, you once told me that if the gaps were within 3mm (3 dimes) not to stress as the bodies were hand built. However, I'm not thrilled with the trunk gap now and and my finish grinding is not even done yet which means there'll be more heat introduced.

Can this be corrected?

Also, my vertical weld where the two panels join also shrank a bit. Can I use some dolly work and bumping to bring the area out once I do my finish grinding and minimize the amount of filler that'll be needed?

[TargaToy]

Here's an update...and I'd like to add that if it seems like this is taking forever, it's because it is...but I've got 3 school-aged daughters, a wife, a home, a job...a dog...and a new project car for my 16 yr old so my time is really stretched.

But anyway, Rick, THANKS for the help on closing that trunk lid gap. I used your advice and am very happy with the results. The gap is now even from the front to the rear of the trunk lid.





Next thing: Before I welded this quarter section in, I made sure the profiles of the existing fender and the patch matched. I even made a template and shaped the patch to match the car. That seam shrank too. Now, from the top, you can see the shrunken depression. It's very tight to try to hammer/dolly this out from the back side. Can it be done? I'm thinking of you and your disdain for "filler abuse" and want to do this right. Thanks.