rcx132
Philip
- Messages
- 2,709
- Location
- London, UK
Probably my biggest problem area is a rotted area in one of my rear wheel arches. I've sketched out how the metal looks. The problem is the bit I've marked "lip", when I cut out the rotted metal I won't have access with a welder to weld the new metal near the lip. Plus inside the wheel arch are some complex shapes where the metal shapes itself around the petrol filler.
So I thought I might have to cut out the exterior panel around the wheel arch, fix my rust, then weld in a new wheel arch exterior panel.
Here is a hi resolution image of my problem:
Thankfully new wheel arche exterior panels are still available for £75:
Then to weld back in the removed exterior panel. I've been doing some YouTubing and some people are doing continious welds, butt joints I think they are called. Others are using a tool which bends one of the sheets so that you can get a flush lap joint and then they spot weld. Another high res picture below showing what I mean. The plug welding sounds better to me, less distortion and heat.
I've also watched how to do lead bodywork repairs instead of regular filler. It requires a lot of heating of the panels, is that wise? I only have a couple of areas that will need thin filler. How bad is regular filler compared to lead?
So I thought I might have to cut out the exterior panel around the wheel arch, fix my rust, then weld in a new wheel arch exterior panel.
Here is a hi resolution image of my problem:
Thankfully new wheel arche exterior panels are still available for £75:
Then to weld back in the removed exterior panel. I've been doing some YouTubing and some people are doing continious welds, butt joints I think they are called. Others are using a tool which bends one of the sheets so that you can get a flush lap joint and then they spot weld. Another high res picture below showing what I mean. The plug welding sounds better to me, less distortion and heat.
I've also watched how to do lead bodywork repairs instead of regular filler. It requires a lot of heating of the panels, is that wise? I only have a couple of areas that will need thin filler. How bad is regular filler compared to lead?
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