auto bodywork...I think can, I think I can

["A. Foster" <monkeypuzzle1@xxxxxxx>]

Clay;

 Go to a tool rental place and rent a mig welder, using new fangled chemical compounds might be asking for trouble, not to mention that it smells like a used car dealer quick fix. Even though these materials are non porous the expansion rate will be different from the steel, the bond will break down, and moisture will get inbetween. If there is a three inch rust hole it is probably rusty at least another three inches around it and needs to be cut out. The holes from the slide hammer can be filled with weld. Alternatively you could farm out the welding work to a bodyman, maybe the metal straightening as well depending on how bad it is. Check with the old car guys in your area, there is usually a Kerry Pinkerton, working out of their property, that does good work for a reasonable price and doesn't have a hangup about doing small jobs.

Best Regards

Arran Foster

1954 Imperial Newport

Needing A Left Side Tailight bezel and other trim parts.

----- Original Message -----

From: imperialman

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 3:03 PM

Subject: IML: auto bodywork...I think can, I think I can

A major accomplishment for me this last month.

After approximately 3 plus years( yes THREE years) of a on again-off again work effort  I FINALLY have my 67 Crown Coupe completely stripped to bare metal.   Armed with a DA sander and 80 grit stick on paper I successfully ground through two coats of paint, bondo and primer. 

I  had initially tried using chemical stripper but found it to be

messy and caustic with not much faster results.

  The good news is that my 67  as a western South Dakota vehicle. has only one area of rust thru approximately 3 inches in diameter. Not having a MIG welder I am considering using a metal bonding adhesive to glue in a patch panel. I am told this works well.

The bad news is that the P/S fender , drivers door ,and  part of the rear p/s quarter panel have all been worked over at one time or another with bondo.  So though rust free,my 67 was definitely in a accident at sometime in its life.

Does anyone have a solution for filling holes  in the metal from a previous  go-round with a dent puller?.

                     Clay Smith

                   67 Crown Coupe

                   60 Custom