poor panel alignment pics - can't live with it!

[Doris]

First of all I'd like to thank 'Gadget Boy' aka Deano for taking the time to talk me through and encourage me to have a go!
I was going to PM these pics of "what I'm talking about" to him but thought we might as well all have a look... :mrgreen:

Its a 69 Dormy, the previous old chap owner had these repairs done about 15 years ago now at a place called ' bug shack' somewhere in SToke I think ( no longer in bussiness),not what I'd expect from a 'professional' but then again I don't know if he paid Pro prices. any way, they've lasted well but I can't live with them. so before any re spray takes place I've put the rear corners and rear O/S quarter on the 'to do' list

If you look in this pic you can see where the repair panel has been tacked OVER the original. as you look down the rear corner you can see where it bulges out and even the join between the rear quarter and rear corner has been filled over !! :shock:

and a view from the top looking down the rear corner... could you live with that?

I thought I'd have to replace the same height of repair panel again but looking inside the engine bay,you can clearly see the tack welds quite high up, BUT....there apears to be plenty of good metal below it, looks not as bad as it seems - what are your opinions ?

If you look at the N/S rear corner, it is not that clear in the pic but in the flesh it screams where the new corner has been welded in - this will have to be re-done as well, I won't know for sure where the butt join will be until its all bare metal'd........

unfortunatly It won't be a quick job, family, baby, shift work, charity work and the biggest pain - having to work outside and relying on the weather!!! :evil:I'm going to gather all the bits I need firast before I start the big stuff -( front panel ) but I'm really looking forward to learning how to weld better and the satisfaction of a job well done!
( see my crusty dash top repair thread for my first attempt ) constructive comments, advice & suggestions all welcome.....

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Looks like its buggin you already(pun not intended). So if it were mine id wait till the end of season,and the fat bloke in the red suit has climbed down your chimney,Then get to it ready for next season :mrgreen: .Good luck

 

[cyberdyne systems]

It does look like the repair was simply tacked and filled over the old panel so you should be able to take a grinder to it and remove the crap repair and then refit the new repair panel leaving as much og metal as you can get away with.

I've found it helpful to look up repairs on readers rides type pages, where you see what people have done and can get inspiration. Also you can get these great clips that align and hold the two pieces of metal together when you weld, it also leaves a very small gap so when you butt weld your filling in the gap not welding on top of the metal.

Enjoy

Gareth

 

[BigG]

Agree with above, looks like someones tacked a repair panel over the existing panel and tried to blend it in.
Remove the newer panel, you may find the rotten area much smaller than you think, cut it out and weld a piece from the repair panel in to it. You should be able to get a more satisfactory alignment.

 

[Doris]

Thanks guys - thats confirmed my suspicions then! just need to source the panel now - are Schofields about the best or are they all the same panel with different labels on (like the front panels) ?

 

[Guest]

Schofields are one of the better suppliers, they do make alot of panels but i think they also buy in the more difficult presses. Anyone i know personally, who have used them have been very happy and commented how good their customer service is.

I'm in the same situation as you, but i have just bare-metalled the whole van for a full respray. I would make sure you cut out all those old tacked panels as they will rust through your new paint job eventually.

Do it once, do it RIGHT! thats my motto :wink:

 

[Doris]

Schofields are one of the better suppliers, they do make alot of panels but i think they also buy in the more difficult presses. Anyone i know personally, who have used them have been very happy and commented how good their customer service is.

I'm in the same situation as you, but i have just bare-metalled the whole van for a full respray. I would make sure you cut out all those old tacked panels as they will rust through your new paint job eventually.

Do it once, do it RIGHT! thats my motto :wink:

Thanks for your advice Johny, and I agree - when its time to hand money over, its better to only cry once - get the best /do the best you can at the time!

 

[andewilson]

you dont need to buy any repair panels. they are all there. by the looks of it if you use a wire brush on an angle grinder you can remove all the paint from the existing repair than using a fine grinding disk simply tickle each weld till it gives up then the complete panel will come off whole (very satisfying when it comes off) the you simply have to cut out the area of rust from the original panel and use however much of the repair panel you need to fill the hole you have made. 10 hours per rear corner should see it from start to finish. but after spendind over two years welding my van, looking at yours. i would drive it and enjoy it till it realy does need it. as what ever repair you do it will need filling and respraying ££££££££££££££