body work help

[kyle.rj133]

replacing a panel on the drivers side rear arch wheel. i also have a small hole on driver door by the mirror. im not completely sure how to do this. how do i get it straight and were do i know were to cut out? any tips, tricks, or anything will help.

 

[tRustyK5]

What kind of tools and skills do you have?

I did a similar but larger repair recently. Take a sharp pencil and trace the perimiter of the patch, then use a thin cut off wheel on a grinder to remove the rotted section. Then fine tune it so it fits just right, and tack it in place.

Rene

 

[kyle.rj133]

well this will be my first time. i have die grinder and a pretty good welder wich im all right with.

on the patch panel it has a curve on it on the top that goes right about the old pin strip, do you think it would be easier if i were to cut it off below it so its flat?

and when i weld it do i just want to tack it all around then body fill the rest? or is it ok to weld it all once i get it were i want it so there is no line

 

[kyle.rj133]

the yellow box is the curved ridge. the red line is were i can cut it so it will be flat. which should i do?

 

[Muddytazz]

I would out the rust plus like and inch or two bigger, then trim your patch panel to match the cut out section.

 

[tRustyK5]

I would keep the seam close to the body line, however you do it. The tack welds on a flat surface far away from anything rigid will just distort the hell out of the panel. If the welded seam is close to that body line, the inherant rigidity will help keep things a lot straighter.

I don't have pic's showing just before I filled and primed, but I called it good when I had a full penetration tack every 1/2" of less. You just got to move around a lot with the tacks so you don't overheat any one area.

Rene