Newbie with a project

[Kwik21]

Hello,
I was pointed in the direction of this forum by someone on scoobynet, a forum for Subaru owners. I'm looking at getting some helpful advice on repairing the dreaded bubbling rear wheel arches.



I've always wanted to be able to weld so have enquired at my local college. They offer a City and Guilds level 1 course in welding over 10 evenings. This will cost £300, although I was also advised not to bother with the course and just to buy a Mig welder and practice, practice, practice?.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou.

 

[God mode restorations]

Hi...going on a welding course is a good thing....and will certainly help as its not just a case of picking up a welder and away ya go...especially on thin materials such as body work...my advice would be go on the course...get a mig weld and the kit..practice..when you feel you can do such repair then away ya go...

 

[Tenere]

Hi Kwik21

I’m intrigued as to what you intend to do with those arches. I have a similar problem on an MX5, but the standard fix seems to be new panels – a big job as it’s the rear arches! Are you planning to form steel patches to cut in, or clagging on new panels?

 

[Fastfingaz]

Gentlemen ,,, would that not be a job for a plastic body filler such as a bondo type,, I know theres' corrosion under those bubbles but it really doesn't look that bad???just asking......

 

[Tenere]

Must admit, a bit of Rust Remedy and the old filler would be my answer to that pic as well.....but I’m a terrible bodge merchant with low standards!

 

[brightspark]

surely it would depend on the thickness of the metal as to clean the rust off and if not 2 bad use catty and etch primer on it and paint or cut the bad bits out and weld pieces in then fill

 

[the snooper]

you need to look closer to see what has caused the rust to form there before working out how to get rid of it, look for failed seams between inner and outer arch, if you weld patches in you will need to be careful as the panel could distort, if you decide to fill it use a spot blast gun to get rid of the rust or it will be back.

 

[mud90mike]

I am doing a level one MIG course at Crawley College at the moment in the evenings, it is a very relaxed and enjoyable course, average of 5 people on the evening I go and instructor is helpful, a lot of the time is spent by yourself practising then asking his opinion, but after 'hobby' welding for years having the chance to try something and then get good advice on where you have gone wrong has been invaluable, I have learnt more in four lessons than a year of trying by myself, also which techniques to use where and when.