Project? Resurrection - bad tin weevil damage.

[arther dailey]

A setback has been finding that the wheelarch I cut out complete & was
hoping to repair & refit...... Was pretty far gone. I'd bodged patches onto it from underneath in the past (when if it's possible to fathom - my fabbing & welding was more novice & atrocious than it is now).
I decided to bite the bullet & try to make a new one (bear in mind it's all curves and angles and something I've never attempted.
It's taken me an unfeasible amount to time too.
The result? Well to be frank it's bloody terrible and I think the pics are flattering it a great deal. It's rough.
However, I'm treating all of this as a learning/practice (& boy do I need it!) on the basis that the van is tbf rough too, so I can't really ruin it with my ham-fisted efforts.
Best I can hope for is functional with my very limited skillset, on a van that's on borrowed time anyway - & I want the van on the road ideally by this weekend (the next I've a mtb weekend planned so it'll be needed).
Humble apologies in advance for besmirching these pages with my disgraceful handiwork

View attachment 391762
View attachment 391763

horses for courses , thats solid and will do the job for the rest of its usefull working life , job done, well nearly

 

[GRW]

interesting and glad you got on well with the flux core , can I ask what brand ,cheers

I thinks it's "Easy-Weld" (nope I've never heard of the name either), but it's E71-TGS Flux-Core wire in 0.8mm, sourced off EBay. Think it was about 30 quid for 5kg reel.
I also have (bought from Tom at WSD along with the Welder) a Knurled wire feed pulley to grip the softer FC which might help).

 

[Cobbler]

Don’t do yourself down, it’s only a wheel arch & it will do its job & keep the water out. Keep up the good work.

 

[arther dailey]

I thinks it's "Easy-Weld" (nope I've never heard of the name either), but it's E71-TGS Flux-Core wire in 0.8mm, sourced off EBay. Think it was about 30 quid for 5kg reel.
I also have (bought from Tom at WSD along with the Welder) a Knurled wire feed pulley to grip the softer FC which might help).

thanks , I got oxford so would pay toget a roll for those windy days.cheers

 

[GRW]

thanks , I got oxford so would pay toget a roll for those windy days.cheers

I made the wheelarch out of Zintec* galvanised sheet, which is nasty stuff due to fumes etc - so welding it outside in the draught was "the plan", plus I've read that FC wire copes a lot better if it comes into contact with any zinc - so ....

* cos I had some sheet in the shed leftover from making a Bin Store, and seeing as it's an area that gets a lot of water and crud thrown at it - I figured I might as well

 

[Wildefalcon]

Smart, then epoxy zinc phosphate on top. Then epoxy mastic. Then lanoguard/dinotrol/bilt hambler. Last for ever.

 

[GRW]

Smart, then epoxy zinc phosphate on top. Then epoxy mastic. Then lanoguard/dinotrol/bilt hambler. Last for ever.

Coated it with BH Electrox already.
Never used Epoxy Mastic (in fact not really sure what it I'd or how you use it).
Mind you - this metal is going to last a lot longer than the rest of the steel in the van by a good distance

 

[Wildefalcon]

Epoxy, and epoxy mastic paints are two part paints you mix up. They glue on to rough surfaces and are flexible, hugely tough and rust resistant. Jotamastic 90 is one. No issues with PPE, other than a face mask as no isocyanide. Only issue is the finish is poor if left in sunlight.

 

[GRW]

Epoxy, and epoxy mastic paints are two part paints you mix up. They glue on to rough surfaces and are flexible, hugely tough and rust resistant. Jotamastic 90 is one. No issues with PPE, other than a face mask as no isocyanide. Only issue is the finish is poor if left in sunlight.

Thanks, sounds sounds like really good stuff!
Can I ask ..... does "Jotamastic 90" need applying by spray gun, or can it be applied by brush?
(I've only ever sprayed with Rattle Cans - I have a cheapie n nasty Clarke hopper gun that came in a basic kit with a blow gun & a tyre inflator- but I've never tried using the thing).

I've a big part-used can of Blackfriars Bitumastic paint. Given that it's an area that'll be covered on the inside, & underneath on the outside (not that given the state of the vans aesthetics it's much of an issue anyway tbh ) - I was thinking that'd do?

 

[Wildefalcon]

Sure, it will do. High tar content.

Jotamastic goes on by brush. I use a mini roller. Good compromise between finish and coverage. Needs lots of thinning for spraying.

 

[GRW]

Sure, it will do. High tar content.

Jotamastic goes on by brush. I use a mini roller. Good compromise between finish and coverage. Needs lots of thinning for spraying.

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That chassis looks mint

 

[arther dailey]

I made the wheelarch out of Zintec* galvanised sheet, which is nasty stuff due to fumes etc - so welding it outside in the draught was "the plan", plus I've read that FC wire copes a lot better if it comes into contact with any zinc - so ....

* cos I had some sheet in the shed leftover from making a Bin Store, and seeing as it's an area that gets a lot of water and crud thrown at it - I figured I might as well

that makes total sence, and thanks for the info .cheers

 

[Wildefalcon]

Thanks! 1977. It's had a bit of welding, but I'm treating it as a restoration, so took my time to get it looking decent.

 

[GRW]

The outer & inner wheelarch lip is shot... and I'm thinking it's got to be easier to try and build a new one before trying to reinstate the remade inner wheelarch and floor sections.

Thinking to try to form a new lip that's welded to the inside, before trying to make an outer repair (hopefully the new lip will give a reference & make it easier to cut out the outer cruddy bits & effect a repair that's not too manky.

So I've just knocked up these 2 pieces to (hopefully) bend into shape & weld inside.

Yet more work that's stalling the reinstatement of the arch & floor and setting me back (& the weather has been dismal & not helping) & getting the thing back on its wheels but that's how it goes.
Getting fed up of it tbh - be glad to see the back of this job - it's my own fault for starting it

 

[Wildefalcon]

I think you are doing a great job. Mid job fatigue is normal. Especially if it's not the day job. Stop, get a coffee, tidy everything up and start up again.

 

[OJCar]

Weather is a pain, but keep on slogging on, you've made excellent progress!

 

[Richiew]

It will be glorious sunshine soon and then you won't mind being outside. Stick with it.

 

[arther dailey]

The outer & inner wheelarch lip is shot... and I'm thinking it's got to be easier to try and build a new one before trying to reinstate the remade inner wheelarch and floor sections.
View attachment 391996View attachment 392000
View attachment 391997
Thinking to try to form a new lip that's welded to the inside, before trying to make an outer repair (hopefully the new lip will give a reference & make it easier to cut out the outer cruddy bits & effect a repair that's not too manky.

So I've just knocked up these 2 pieces to (hopefully) bend into shape & weld inside.
View attachment 392002

Yet more work that's stalling the reinstatement of the arch & floor and setting me back (& the weather has been dismal & not helping) & getting the thing back on its wheels but that's how it goes.
Getting fed up of it tbh - be glad to see the back of this job - it's my own fault for starting it

your doing a belting job of it , and when finished you will be glad you stuck it out .

 

[GRW]

I think you are doing a great job. Mid job fatigue is normal. Especially if it's not the day job. Stop, get a coffee, tidy everything up and start up again.

Mid Job!

MID JOB?!?!?!

MID *** JOB?!?!?!?!?!

AAAAARGHHH!!!!!

 

[arther dailey]

thanks , I got oxford so would pay toget a roll for those windy days.cheers

just ordered a 5kg roll of e71 of ebay sub £17 ,for those windy days .Cheers