How to find a mobile panel beater.

[ArAKern]

So I have run out of ability Tried to remove an section of "oil canning" in panel using a tourch and it did not go well at all
As the van needs some work all over was looking for a mobile pannel beater to do some "rough out" work (mobile the van is on a jig)

But all i can find localy is the paintless repair guys and they are not intrestes or charge more than a replacment panel..

Any thoughts on how to find a old school metal mover? (Based in Southampton)

Thanks

 

[Dcal]

I can't help with a panel beater but if you post more information I'm sure you will get good advice from the forum.
If you have had a go already, with a bit of advice you might have better luck the next time.

 

[ArAKern]

Did look at a 3day classic car restorers course but at £450 that is a lot of panel beating work ..

 

[bert]

I'm not sure a mobile panel beater exists.

£450 would be 9 hours of my time so a course would be money well spent

 

[tom2207]

hot shrinking is a thing of mystery and wonder ,,, its a myth and holds legendary amounts of awe and amazement ,,,,

till you actually catch on to how it works , and then its really bog basic , but its slow and you need patience .

 

[ArAKern]

I did the typical tried a little bit went ok then tried again little more and now have no oil can but a moon Scape.

 

[tom2207]

I did the typical tried a little bit went ok then tried again little more and no have no oil can but a moon Scape.

your half way there ,,,, now beating things flat is a totally different skill set ,,, hammer over dolly on big flat bits is not at all handy.

 

[ArAKern]

Well 9 hours of an expert vs what a complete beginner can learn if half day instruction (course covers 6 disciplines) If it was 3 days panel beating then i would agree.

 

[tom2207]

Well 9 hours of an expert vs what a complete beginner can learn if half day instruction (course covers 6 disciplines) If it was 3 days panel beating then i would agree.

Its only taken me about forty years to get the hang of it ,,, but Im getting there ,,,



slowly ,,, another few years and I think Ill be quite good at it.

 

[Shedendman]

@ArAKern whats the van btw?

 

[ArAKern]

@ArAKern whats the van btw?

It is my wife's 1966 VW split screen (I usually don't mentioned what it as the price seems to magical go up )

 

[ArAKern]

I would be shocked if an expert took more that a 1/2 a day to get what i need done. not expecting perfection it to far gone for that.

The so called "professional restorer" that had it before us, their work was less than stellar.

We just don't want to fill it all with bog.

 

[Shedendman]

It is my wife's 1966 VW split screen (I usually don't mentioned what it as the price seems to magical go up )

Replacement panels?

VW split screen van panels & body parts side panels parts from Auto Craft Engineeering

www.autocrafteng.co.uk

 

[ArAKern]

Was hoping that it would cost less to get a few dents knock of a panel that have it replaced.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Proper panel beaters are a rare thing today. Most bodyshops just fit new parts. I suspect a mobile panel beater is going to be ultra rare. What is the actual panel that is affected ?

 

[ArAKern]

Large dent LHS Rear lower quarter, both cargo door have been re-skinned but with welding warpage. the short side large "oil can" and welding warpage.
I may be being picky what is the acceptable amount of filler depth?

 

[steveo3002]

never seen a mobile panel beater , and a great of those that call themselves a panel beater wouldnt be able to do any better than you

lots of good help on youtube or maybe someone will chime in here with a local guy that would pop round after work etc

 

[steveo3002]

whats it on and how nice does it have to be ,i know a couple of back st bodges to stop oil canning lol

 

[armalites]

Did look at a 3day classic car restorers course but at £450 that is a lot of panel beating work ..

I've got a mate who is an old school panel beater, the sort of person who can form complete panels from sheet metal. I wouldn't say £450 isn't really a lot of panel beating. I've seen a complete quarter for an old Citroen van that my friend made and I'm sure he said there were 80hrs+ in it.

Not saying fitting panels well is easy but many panel beaters are not panel beater at all. Decent panel beaters will get stuff to the point where there is barely any filler needed.

Personally I would do the course, if you are that far into a project it's quite likely you'll end doing some other stuff in the future.

It's another one of those skills that people look at and watch a video but have no idea that one small area could be thousands and thousands of hammer strikes and often you need to make something worse before you make it better.

 

[ArAKern]

The course is interesting but feel it covers to much of things i will never need :-

1, Shape double-curvature panel using a mallet and block (quicker to buy a replacement)
2, Smooth double curvature panel using hammer and dolly (the bit that most useful)
3, Refine shape and smooth panels using the wheeling machine (never going to own an English wheel)
4, Flange & wire edges of panels (buy replacement)
5, Butt-weld steel sheet, without filler rod, using a TIG welder (interested if I owned a TIG)
6, MIG and resistance spot weld (next interesting section)
7) Anneal and weld aluminium alloy sheet (little chance of owing a AC tig or a spool gun but interesting)