The Rear Compartment Panel Frame (rear surround) is made of Sheet Moulded Compound (SMC). This panel provides a mounting surface for the quarter-panels and is the sealing surface for the rear hatch. Installing this panel is critical to the proper fit-up of the rear end of the vehicle.

Important: Always shim and dry-fit the surround and outerbody panels before bonding.

Since the Roof Bow Cover overlaps the Rear Compartment Panel Frame (rear surround), sectioning is faster and more cost effective than full panel replacement, if the Roof Bow Cover is not damaged. The frame panel may be sectioned anywhere along the quarter panel mounting surface. Sectioning in the front corners (at the base of the Roof Bow), does not require the use of a reinforcement, the Rear Compartment Panel flange can act as a backing plate. If sectioning is performed in the middle area of the rear surround a backing plate is required for butt-joint reinforcement.

The SMC roof bow cover must be removed to replace the rear surround at factory seams. Sectioning of this panel is recommended when damage is limited to the rear portion of the rear surround, not including the Roof Bow Cover. The rear surround is the mounting surface for the quarter panels and is shimmed with structural adhesive, it may vary from 1 mm to 7 mm in thickness.